Remarks
Senate to Consider Legislation That Would Penalize ‘Sanctuary’ Cities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act: "Senators will soon travel to their home states for the state work period. I ask colleagues to consider some important questions as they meet with constituents and take time to reflect. "In a time of limited federal resources and tough choices, is it fair to treat localities that cooperate with federal law enforcement or … Continue Reading
10.08.15
Senate to Consider Energy Security and Water Infrastructure Funding Bill Today
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor in support of the Energy and Water Appropriations bill: "Ask most Americans to name two of the most basic duties of a Senator, and you're likely to hear some combination of the following. "Protect the country: that means working with us to pass the National Defense Authorization Act. "Fund the government: that means working with us to pass the 12 appropriations bills that fund it. "B… Continue Reading
10.07.15
In a Dangerous World, It’s ‘Essential’ President Sign, Not Veto, the Defense Bill, McConnell Says
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today in urging the President to sign the National Defense Authorization Act: "I was glad to see the Senate come together yesterday to advance the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act. "This bipartisan defense bill will support our men and women in uniform in many ways. "It will attack bureaucratic waste, and authorize pay raises and improved quality-of-life programs for our sol… Continue Reading
10.06.15
Defense Authorization Provides Tools to Protect America’s National Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor in support of the National Defense Authorization Act: "Henry Kissinger recently said that our country faces the most 'diverse and complex array of crises' since the Second World War. It's hard to disagree with him. "Consider the daily situation reports received by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs: "Taliban forces overrunning Kunduz in Afghanistan, retaking their first provincial capit… Continue Reading
10.05.15
Bill That Sets Policy, Authorizes Defense Funding Set for Senate Vote on Tuesday
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor urging Democrats to support the National Defense Authorization Act: "We live in an incredibly dangerous world. The number of threats facing our nation is just staggering. "That's one reason both parties came together to pass the national defense authorization bill through both chambers of Congress by large bipartisan margins. "In the Senate, 71 to 25. "In the House, 269 to 151. "A b… Continue Reading
10.01.15
Senate Passes Congressman Guthrie’s PACE Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered remarks on the Senate floor regarding Senate passage of the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act. The legislation now goes to the President's desk for his signature. "The PACE Act is smart legislation from my colleagues Senator Tim Scott and my Kentucky colleague over in the House, Congressman Brett Guthrie, that will help protect small and medium sized businesses that provide health care to their emp… Continue Reading
09.30.15
Funding for Military and Veterans up Next in Senate
'The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill is one of the 12 pieces of appropriations legislation we must pass to properly fund the government.' WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today urging Senate Democrats to support funding for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs: "This morning, I said the American people are ready to see Democrats start supporting - not blocking - the very bipartisan fundin… Continue Reading
09.30.15
Senator McConnell Honors Congressman Whitfield on the Senate Floor
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (R-KY-01) announcing his retirement following the end of his term: "Yesterday, Representative Ed Whitfield announced that he will retire at this end of this term. Ed has served Kentucky's first district for more than 20 years. He will be missed here in the Capitol when he retires. It's clear that his leadership will be missed back in Kentucky… Continue Reading
09.30.15
Senate Set to Consider More Funding, Support for Military and Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor urging Senate Democrats to stop filibustering the annual appropriations bills: "The Senate will complete its work on the continuing resolution today. "We remember watching our Democratic colleagues swerve from crisis to crisis when they ran the Senate. Perhaps this is just all Democrats have known, but it's not right for them to again force America into another short-term funding situa… Continue Reading
09.29.15
Senate Set to Pass Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Continuing Resolution (CR): "Last night, 77 Senators voted to advance legislation that would keep the government funded through the fall at the bipartisan level agreed to by both parties. "This bill hardly represents my preferred method for funding the government, but it's now the most viable way forward after Democrats' extreme actions forced our country into this situat… Continue Reading
09.28.15
Democrat Filibusters on Spending Bills Prompt Need for Short-Term CR
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Continuing Resolution (CR): "A new Senate majority came to office this year with a different outlook on government funding from the previous majority. "First we passed a budget. "Then we worked across the aisle to pass through committee the dozen bills necessary to fund the government. "That's the first time either of those things had happened in six long years. "Our c… Continue Reading
09.25.15
McConnell on House Speaker Boehner: ‘Country and Institution before Self’
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the retirement of Speaker Boehner: "Grace under pressure. "Country and institution before self. "These are the first things that come to mind when I think of John Boehner. "He is an ally. He is a friend. And he took over as Republican Leader at a difficult time for his party. "When some said Republicans could never recover, he never gave up. "When some gave in to defeatis… Continue Reading
09.24.15
McConnell: Senate Democrats’ Opposition to Defunding Planned Parenthood Won’t End the Debate
'By placing their allegiance with the Far Left instead of women, Democrats are making a losing bet they will come to regret over the long term.' WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the introduction of a Continuing Resolution to fund the government: "Those of us who believe in protecting innocent and precious life may have lost a vote today, but we're steadily winning a larger argument - a critical argumen… Continue Reading
09.24.15
McConnell: A Privilege to Welcome the Pope to the Capitol
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell earlier today welcomed Pope Francis to the U.S. Capitol. Following His Holiness' address during a Joint Meeting of Congress, Senator McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor: "I know I speak for the entire Senate when I say it was a privilege to welcome the Pope to the Capitol this morning. For the thousands who gathered on the Capitol lawn, it was an experience they're unlikely to ever forget. "A quiet nod. A soft … Continue Reading
09.24.15
McConnell: Funding Bill Would Fund Government and Protect Women’s Health
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Continuing Resolution (CR) that would fund the government while protecting women's health: "It's no surprise that members of the Senate have differences on issues. That's normal. Healthy even. "But even if our Democratic colleagues may not agree with us on every issue, let us agree that the scandal surrounding Planned Parenthood is deeply unsettling. Let us agree that it … Continue Reading
09.22.15
Senate CR Would Fund Government, Not Planned Parenthood
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Continuing Resolution (CR) that would fund the government while protecting women's health: "I was struck by some things the Democratic Leader said this morning about funding the government. "First he said it was not Democrats' responsibility to work toward sensible solutions because, quote, 'We've helped in any way we can, we've not held up anything procedurally.' "That … Continue Reading
09.22.15
McConnell Calls For End to Democrat Filibuster of Defense Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding defense appropriations: "Almost exactly a year ago, President Obama addressed the nation and declared his resolve to 'degrade' and 'destroy' ISIL. I'll speak more on that in just a moment, but there were two lines in that speech of particular relevance to the vote we're about to take: "'As Commander-in-Chief, my highest priority is the security of the American people,' he said… Continue Reading
09.22.15
McConnell: Pass the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act: "Ask a family to show you the first picture of their child these days, and you're likely to get a black-and-white image with delicate fingers and tiny toes. "Maybe it's their precious Christine. Maybe it's their little guy Brett. But one thing's for sure: that baby is their child. "Scientific advances like the sonogram are helping … Continue Reading
09.21.15
McConnell Urges Support for the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor previewing the week ahead: "I know many Americans are looking ahead to the visit of Pope Francis this week with great interest. Thousands will gather on the Capitol grounds for the chance to hear him speak. I think I can speak for every colleague when I say the Senate welcomes him warmly. We look forward to his visit. "So it's obviously going to be a busy week here in the Senate. That'… Continue Reading
09.17.15
Senate Vote Today Would Link Sanctions Relief to Change in Iranian Behavior
'The Administration failed to negotiate to ensure the release of American citizens being held in Iranian custody. The Administration failed to negotiate to ensure Iran's recognition of Israel's right to exist. But we can do something to link the freedom American citizens being held in Iranian custody and the recognition of Israel to sanctions relief - something that the Administration should have done. We can say it has to be corrected before sanctions are lifted, and billions more flow into Ira… Continue Reading
