“After the exhibition I saw on immigration, I don’t suspect there’s going to be a lot of strength and dynamic leadership here [to oppose the lobbying reform legislation], but we’ll see,” he said, referring to GOP criticisms of McConnell’s lack of visibility during the final days of the unsuccessful immigration debate in June.

Republican aides privately criticized McConnell for putting his re-election concerns before the leadership needs of his party; the proposed immigration reform was deeply unpopular in McConnell’s home state of Kentucky, where he has said his Senate seat is targeted by Democrats.