Grassley raises voice after McConnell interrupts Senate speech

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) expressed frustration on Thursday after he was interrupted during a speech on the Senate floor so that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) could make an announcement.

“I hope the next time I get a chance to have the floor, I won’t be interrupted,” he said, raising his voice before ceding his time to McConnell.

Here’s where Sen. Grassley is interrupted by Sen. McConnell. pic.twitter.com/tRxdnBpXWC

— Jeremy Art (@cspanJeremy) February 14, 2019

McConnell took to the Senate floor to announce that President Trump would sign a compromise spending bill to keep the government open.{mosads}

The GOP leader made the announcement amid increasing chatter that Trump would not sign the bill to keep the government from shutting down for a second time in as many months.

McConnell also said that Trump planned to declare a national emergency to get more money for a barrier at the U.S.-Mexico border. McConnell said he would support Trump’s declaration, which is all but certain to face legal challenges.

Two staffers on the Senate floor had appeared to try and get Grassley to stop speaking. One whispered his name, but he ignored her. A second staffer, who works for McConnell, walked over to Grassley, appeared to try to grasp his arm and begin to say something, before walking away. Shortly after that, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) interrupted Grassley asking if he would yield.

Grassley reportedly raised his voice to McConnell, saying “you’re rude. You’re just simply rude.” McConnell apologized after the incident, Politico’s Jake Sherman reported.

UPDATE: grassley and McConnell just laughed and shook hands. McConnell said I’m sorry.

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) February 14, 2019

Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee whose position as president pro tempore makes him the second-highest Senate official, was discussing energy policy before he was interrupted on the floor.

Updated on Feb. 15 at 8:20 p.m.

Jordain Carney contributed.