Remarks
Majority Leader McConnell on the Retirement of Harry Reid
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks today on the Senate floor on the retirement of his long-time colleague Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada: "It seems that any speech about the Democratic Leader requires a mention of Searchlight, Nevada. "There's a reason why that is. "You can't begin to understand the man until you understand where it all began. "And here's where it began. "A tiny mining town at the southern tip of Nevada. O… Continue Reading
12.07.16
Majority Leader McConnell Pays Tribute to Vice President Biden
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks today on the Senate floor recognizing Vice President Joe Biden and his years of service in the U.S. Senate, as a Senator from Delaware and as the Vice President of the United States: "It's great to see the presiding officer back in the Senate. "It's good news for everyone when he's in that chair. "Good news for him, because the rest of us have to call him Mr. President. "Good news for the rest of us, be… Continue Reading
12.07.16
75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today, December 7, 2016, in observance of the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor: "Today marks the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, a date that FDR rightly predicted 'will live in infamy.' "It's a time when we reflect on the meaning of this day - for our country and our military. "A time when we remember all those who sacrificed on our behalf. "And a time … Continue Reading
12.07.16
Four Important Items to Finish
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding legislative items to finish before the 114th Congress ends: "The continuing resolution was filed in the House yesterday. "As we wait for the House to take the next steps, I encourage all Members to continue reviewing the legislative text. "The water resources development legislation has been filed in the House as well. "This is bipartisan legislation that will streng… Continue Reading
12.05.16
Senate Renames Cancer Initiative in 21st Century Cures Bill After Beau Biden
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the renaming of the NIH cancer initiative in the 21st Century Cures Act after Vice President Joe Biden's late son, Beau, who lost his battle with cancer last year: "It's a rare day when we get to see the Vice President presiding in that chair. "It's great to have him here today. "We look forward to welcoming him again later this week too. "I know members will have ple… Continue Reading
12.05.16
Senate to Vote on 21st Century Cures
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the Senate's upcoming vote on the 21st Century Cures Bill: "Last week, the House overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan 21st Century Cures medical innovation bill. Now it's the Senate's turn to move this bill forward and send it to the president's desk for signature. "This legislation has earned wide support from both sides of the aisle and is one of the most important bi… Continue Reading
12.01.16
Senate to Vote on Iran Sanctions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today on the Senate's upcoming vote on the Iran sanctions extension legislation: "Later today, we'll have a chance to pass the Iran sanctions extension legislation that passed the House by a large margin. "Given Iran's continued pattern of aggression and the country's persistent efforts to expand its sphere of influence across the region, preserving these sanctions is critical. "This … Continue Reading
12.01.16
21st Century Cures
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today in support of the 21st Century Cures bill: "Yesterday the House passed the 21st Century Cures bill with overwhelming bipartisan support, and I hope to see the same here in the Senate. "This medical innovation bill is one that can have a substantial impact for families across the country. "It supports medical research, including promoting regenerative medicine. "It provides real… Continue Reading
11.30.16
McConnell on Remaining Items for this Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding remaining work before the 114th Congress comes to a close: "The Senate has a number of issues to wrap up including the conference reports on the Water Resources Development Act, the Energy Policy Modernization Act, and the National Defense Authorization Act. "The action taken by the Senate yesterday will allow us to have a final vote on the critical Iran Sanctions Exten… Continue Reading
11.29.16
McConnell on the Extension of the Iran Sanctions Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding extending sanctions against Iran: "In just a moment Senators will have a chance to pass the Iran sanctions extension bill that recently passed the House overwhelmingly. "Preserving these sanctions is critical given Iran's disturbing pattern of aggression and its persistent efforts to expand its sphere of influence across the Middle East. "This is all the more importan… Continue Reading
11.28.16
Senate Begins Wrap-Up of 114th Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the Senate's remaining work in 2016: "Over the next few weeks, Senators will work to conclude the business of the 114th Congress as we begin looking forward to the 115th. "We've got a lot to do, including approving several conference reports and funding the government. "It's good to see the respective committees making important progress on conference reports for the N… Continue Reading
11.17.16
McConnell: Important Work Ahead
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding remaining agenda items of the current Congress: "It's been a busy and exciting week as we've welcomed new members, assembled our leadership teams for the 115th Congress, and gotten to work on important issues. "Today we'll have the opportunity to take up a bill that's particularly important for Gulf Coast states like Louisiana. "Senator Cassidy has been a leader on thi… Continue Reading
11.16.16
McConnell Grateful for Support of Colleagues and American People
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the 115th Congress: "This morning our conference came together to select the Republican leadership team for the 115th Congress. "It's an honor to have been chosen once again by my colleagues to continue serving as leader. "I know I speak for every Republican Senator in expressing gratitude to the American people for entrusting us with this majority. "It's a great resp… Continue Reading
11.15.16
McConnell Welcomes Senate Back to Work
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding wrapping up the 114th Congress: "We've had a regularly scheduled election in this country every two years since 1788, right on time. This year's campaign was long and it was tough. I think everyone's glad it's over. I think Americans are ready to come together and move the country forward. "As President Obama reminded us, '[We're] all on one team. This is an … Continue Reading
09.28.16
McConnell: Let’s Keep Working Together to Pass Critical Resources
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding completing work on funding for Zika, veterans and continuing government operations: "Our colleagues in the House made good progress last night on a way forward to help the people of Flint in the Water Resources Development Act, or WRDA, which as we've said is its proper vehicle. "The Senate already voted overwhelmingly, 95-3, to pass assistance for Flint families a… Continue Reading
09.28.16
McConnell on the Passing of Shimon Peres
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today mourning the passing of Shimon Peres, the ninth president of Israel: "We were saddened to learn last night that Shimon Peres, the ninth president of Israel, has passed away at the age of 93. "He leaves behind a remarkable legacy of service on behalf of the people of Israel - and a lengthy resume to match. "The Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congress… Continue Reading
09.27.16
McConnell: We Cannot Afford to Wait Any Longer on Providing Critical Resources
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding completing work on funding for Zika, veterans and continuing government operations: "I'd like to bring a little perspective to today's vote on the Clean CR/Zika package. "This is a 10-week funding bill. "Its contents command broad support. "It contains zero controversial riders from either party. "Can it really be that Democratic leaders have embraced dysfunction … Continue Reading
09.26.16
McConnell: We Should Pass the Fair and Clean CR
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding completing work on Zika/veterans funding, continuing government operations: "The 10-week Clean CR the Senate will vote on tomorrow is pretty simple. "It keeps the government funded at the same agreed-upon, bipartisan spending levels as today. "It contains zero controversial riders. "It funds the fight against Zika. "And it ensures that veterans and the victims of … Continue Reading
09.22.16
Bipartisan Cooperation Needed to Complete Senate’s Important Work
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding completing work on Zika/veterans funding, continuing government operations: "There have been broad requests for a clean continuing resolution. So that's what I've just offered. It's the result of many, many hours of bipartisan work across the aisle. "It's a fair proposal that funds all current government operations through December 9, while also providing funding for… Continue Reading
09.21.16
McConnell: The United States Must Live Up to Its Commitments
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today in support of the United States' commitment to assist Saudi Arabia in combating al Qaeda and ISIL: "Today the Senate will consider a motion to discharge a resolution of disapproval from the Foreign Relations Committee. "I oppose that motion because I believe it would harm our nation's long term strategic interests in the Persian Gulf and the broader Middle East. It would fu… Continue Reading
