"Looks to me like they have the votes, and I'm going to give them the opportunity."
With those 16 words to the Associated Press about the future of the Export-Import Bank, Senator Mitch McConnell began charting a new course just six months into his tenure as majority leader. As Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn explained earlier this year regarding amendments and ending debate, "The only person who makes the decision is the leader." To date, Majority Leader McConnell has not allowed a non-budget amendment to pass that he and a majority of his conference opposed.