GOP senators: McConnell ‘coercing’ them into backing big Democrat spending

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., joined at right by Senate Republican Whip John Thune, R-S.D., finishes remarks to reporters following a closed-door policy meeting, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)A small but vocal group of Republican senators is furious with GOP leadership over the agreement with Democrats to approve a massive year-end spending bill that will fund the federal government through next September.

The bipartisan deal has created a schism between Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Republican colleagues in both chambers — including House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy — who accuse Mr. McConnell and his…