I've steadily praised Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.) since he became the Senate Republican leader (here, here and here). But news reports today have left me questioning McConnell's leadership. McConnell told Bloomberg he will likely vote for the amnesty deal negotiated by Sen. Teddy Kennedy (D-Mass.) and the White House. (Hat tip to California Yankee at RedState.)

What a tremendous disappointment. McConnell, who is up for re-election next year, should know better. He's won accolades among conservatives for his steady leadership and savvy work blocking Democrat-sponsored legislation. But his support for the amnesty bill will undo much of that.

I was also disappointed to learn today that McConnell and other GOP leaders have stalled many Republican-sponsored amendments from even coming up for a vote. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who has offered an amendment to strip the bill of language that would allow gang members to remain in the United States, couldn't get a vote this week. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) had his amendment to remove the amnesty section of the bill temporarily blocked by fellow Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) yesterday.

Conservatives have an opportunity to do something next week when senators are home on their Memorial Day vacation. A week after that, we better be prepared for battle.