Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has come under intense criticism from fellow Republicans in recent weeks over his support for a controversial border bill.

Among those taking aim at the longtime Kentucky lawmaker is Montana Rep. Matt Rosendale. While announcing his Senate candidacy on Friday, Rosendale suggested that it is time for McConnell's removal. 

Rosendale accuses McConnell of being part of "the D.C. Cartel"

Fox News reported that Rosendale, who is squaring off in the Republican Party's primary race against former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy, put out a social media post in which he equated McConnell with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

"This morning, I officially filed for the U.S. Senate," Rosendale wrote. "We’ve made great accomplishments in the House, only to see them die at the hands of Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer in the Senate."

🚨This morning, I officially filed for the U.S. Senate.

We’ve made great accomplishments in the House, only to see them die at the hands of Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer in the Senate.

Montanans want a Senator that fights for WE,THE PEOPLE, not the D.C. Cartel! pic.twitter.com/8ZkeCttCFj

— Matt Rosendale (@MattForMontana) February 9, 2024

The conservative congressman went on to declare that voters in his state are looking for "a Senator that fights for WE,THE PEOPLE, not the D.C. Cartel!"

Mike Lee says Senate Republicans "need new leadership"

Fox News noted that Rosendale's move was not welcomed by Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines, who released a statement of his own endorsing Sheehy.

"It’s unfortunate that rather than building seniority for our great state in the House, Matt is choosing to abandon his seat and create a divisive primary," Daines asserted.

However, Rosendale is far from being alone in expressing dissatisfaction over McConnell's leadership, as similar sentiments have been expressed by Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee.

Lee wrote in a social media post of his own last week that the border deal McConnell helped to negotiate felt "like an elaborate practical joke."

"I cannot understand how any Republican would think this was a good idea—or anything other than an unmitigated disaster," Lee continued before adding, "WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP — NOW."

Ted Cruz complains that McConnell lost to Chuck Schumer

Meanwhile, Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz also went after McConnell as when speaking with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday.

"I've got to say, Senate Republican leadership; I told them this months ago… and they proceeded down this this path that ended up it was a box canyon with a kamikaze pilot crashing into a wall: It was a disaster," Cruz asserted.

"Who won in this battle? His name is Charles Schumer – Chuck Schumer did this," the conservative Texas lawmaker complained.