Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said Tuesday he would not bring any bill to protect special counsel Robert Mueller to the floor, calling it unnecessary.
McConnell's announcement effectively killed a bill meant to shield Mueller which was introduced last week by a bipartisan group of senators, called the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act.
McConnell has previously stated he sees no need to have a bill protecting Mueller, who is spearheading the Russia investigation, and he repeated to Fox News host Neil Cavuto that he thinks President Donald Trump firing him would be a mistake.
"That's not necessary," McConnell said. "There's no indication that Mueller is going to be fired. I don't think the president's going to do that. Just as a practical matter, even if we passed it, why would we sign it?"
"I'm the one who decides what we take to the floor. That's my responsibility as the Majority Leader," he added. "We'll not be having this on the floor of the Senate."
He said he would be surprised if Trump did dismiss Mueller, stressing, "I don't think he should, and I don't think he will."
Trump was asked about firing Mueller last week after the FBI raided his lawyer Michael Cohen's office, and the president said the situation was a "disgrace."
Why don't I just fire Mueller?" Trump said. "Well, I think it's a disgrace what's going on. We'll see what happens. Many people have said you should fire him. Again, they found nothing. And in finding nothing, that's a big statement."