The Hill News

Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) praised the Tea Party movement ahead of a major rally at the Capitol. 

McConnell called the Tea Party's demand for large spending cuts "reasonable" during a floor speech, and lamented that "they’re being vilified because ... they’re politely asking lawmakers here in Washington to change the way things are done around here."

{mosads}"In my view, the Tea Party has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on the most important issues of the day. It’s helped focus the debate. It’s provided a forum for Americans who felt left out of the process to have a voice and make a difference," said McConnell. "And it’s already leading to good results."

McConnell's overtures to the Tea Party are intriguing for several reasons. 

During the 2010 campaign, McConnell supported a more established candidate in the Kentucky GOP primary won by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a favorite of the Tea Party. 

His praise of ! the grassroots conservative movement on Thursday comes as freshman conservative lawmakers and their Tea Party allies press GOP leaders to force Democrats to accept at least $61 billion in spending cuts in a measure to fund the government through September.

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