The left has stolen a good number of words from the dictionary, and 'progress' is one of them. The word itself, to advance, to make headway, and so on, is fine. But, the word is essentially ruined. When I hear it, and some others, it's like screeching chalk on the blackboard. "Forward" is another... anybody that says they want to move "forward" IMHO are suspect.
McConnell is the perfect example of the Peter Principle. Promote someone to a level where they display their complete inability to operate at that level, and unfortunately, at the cost of the organization.
The euphemism treadmill has been quite the tool for the left ever since 1848 at least.