McConnell pushes 'bankruptcy route' as local governments struggle

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday insisted that flailing state and local governments should be able to "use the bankruptcy route" rather than receive aid from the federal government - signaling renewed opposition to a top Democratic demand for the next coronavirus relief package.

In an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, the Kentucky Republican also expressed concern about adding billions more to the national debt in addition to the nearly $3 trillion Congress has already sent out the door to combat the economic and public health challenges of the pandemic.

"There's no good reason for it not to be available," McConnell said of individual localities declaring bankruptcy in order to stay afloat.