The Leader Board
Senate Accomplishments In The 116th Congress
Accomplishments Of The 116th Senate Include: TRANSFORMING THE COURTS: Confirmed 13 of President Trump's circuit court nominees and 46 of his district court nominees for a total of 43 and 99 since 2017, respectively. BUDGET AGREEMENT: Passed a bipartisan deal setting government funding levels for the next two years that secures funding increases to support our troops, rebuild and modernize our military, and support the VA Mission Act to provide timely access and care for our nation's v… Continue Reading
07.31.19
‘Kelly Craft Is Going To Be A Great Ambassador To The United Nations’
As Ambassador To Canada, Kelly Craft Has Earned High Praise As 'Well Respected And A Consummate Diplomat' Giving Confidence That 'She Is Going To Do A Great Job At The U.N.' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "[Last night, the Senate] also voted to advance the nomination of Ambassador Kelly Craft, a very impressive individual, to serve in the critical role of UN ambassador. Ms. Craft is a fellow product of the Bluegrass. She has already made Kentucky and the nation proud through … Continue Reading
07.31.19
‘It’s The Right Thing To Do’
The Bipartisan Budget Agreement Will Provide Stability And Predictability For Our Military, 'Ensure Veterans Have Timely Access' To Care And Benefits And 'Eliminates The Economic Risk' Surrounding The Debt Ceiling SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "[T]his is a deal that every one of my colleagues should support when we vote on it in the near future. This government funding agreement is the right deal for our national defense. It's the right deal because it ensures the United States… Continue Reading
07.30.19
‘A Victory For Our National Security’
The Budget Deal Is 'A Victory For Our Military,' Bans Far-Left Poison Pills, And Defends Against Abortion Extremism The Budget Deal Is 'A Victory For Our National Security,' 'A Victory For Our Military,' 'A Victory For Our Veterans,' And 'A Victory For American Families' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "Considering the circumstances of divided government, this is a good deal. … It's a good deal because it achieves the number-one goal on the Republican side of the aisle:… Continue Reading
07.23.19
ICYMI: Highlights Of Administration-Pelosi Bipartisan Budget Deal
Washington Post: "Trump announces support for two-year bipartisan budget deal…" "Trump lauds deal with no 'poison pills'" "Also as part of the deal, Democratic leaders agreed not to include controversial policy changes, known as 'riders,' in future spending bills. Those measures, which can be tied to hot-button issues such as abortion and immigration, can imperil spending legislation. Opponents of these measures often call them "poison pills." "There will be no poison pills, additional… Continue Reading
07.22.19
Our National Security Depends On Our Military Being Fully Funded
Former Secretary Of Defense James Mattis On Sequestration: 'In The Long Term, It Is The Budget Caps … That Impose The Greater Threat To The Department And To National Security' Former Secretaries Of Defense: 'Without Relief From The BCA Caps, Our Air, Land, And Sea Fleets Will Continue To Erode', A 'Real Danger That It Would Hollow Out The Force,' 'Irresponsible' And 'Outrageous' JAMES MATTIS, Former Secretary of Defense: "In the long term, it is the budget caps mandated in the Bud… Continue Reading
07.18.19
Green New Deal Backers Reveal What Their Sweeping Plan Is Really About
Proponents Call It 'Social-Democratic Populism' That's Really 'A How-Do-You-Change-The-Entire-Economy Thing' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "The most prominent voices in the Democratic Party are openly calling to re-start a big-government assault on fossil fuels and on so many Americans' livelihoods. We all remember, several months back, when many Democrats embraced an unabashedly socialist proposal called the Green New Deal that would have made the Obama-era War on Coal look… Continue Reading
07.16.19
Mark Esper Is ‘A Soldier, A Scholar,’ And ‘An All-American Public Servant’
Secretary Mark Esper Has Garnered Bipartisan Praise As 'A Very Solid Nomination,' 'Superbly Well Qualified By Experience And Temperament For The Position' Of Secretary Of Defense Who Demonstrates 'Excellent Judgement,' 'Sound Character And Moral Courage' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "Acting Secretary Esper is an impressive leader with a distinguished record in uniform, on Capitol Hill, in the private sector, and as a senior leader at the Pentagon. I'm glad President Trump h… Continue Reading
07.11.19
New Judges ‘Making An Important Difference For The Country’
The Senate Has Now Confirmed More Nominees To The 9th Circuit Than Any Other Appellate Court, 'Altering The Historically Liberal Bench' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "All week, the Senate has continued our productivity in overcoming partisan opposition and confirming the president's well-qualified nominees for important offices. We've confirmed the newest judge on the Ninth Circuit. And yesterday we confirmed three district judges by overwhelming bipartisan margins: 78 to 15&he… Continue Reading
06.27.19
‘Arguably The Most Important Piece Of Legislation That Congress Considers Every Year’
This Year's Defense Authorization Provides $750 Billion For National Defense, Including Pay Raises For Our Military, Upgraded Equipment And Capabilities, And The Resources To Strengthen Our Alliances And Confront 'Threats From Great Power Competitors And Rogue Regimes' The Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act by an overwhelming bipartisan 86-8 vote. (S. 1790, Roll Call Vote #188: Passed 86-8, 6/27/2019) 'Ensures The United States Military Will Sustain Its Pl… Continue Reading
06.27.19
A Tale Of Two Bills
Bipartisan Senate Looking To Make A Law, Speaker Pelosi Is Only Looking To "Meet Liberal Demands" SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "Fortunately, we do have a chance to make law this week on a hugely bipartisan basis. Yesterday the Senate advanced a clean, simple humanitarian funding bill by a huge margin. Thanks to Chairman Shelby and Senator Leahy, this bipartisan package sailed through the Appropriations Committee, 30 to one. And yesterday it passed the full Senate - listen t… Continue Reading
06.26.19
The House Should Pass The Bipartisan Senate Border Funding Bill
With Money To Address The Humanitarian Crisis At The Border Days Away From Running Out, 'It's A No-Brainer' To Pass The Senate's Supplemental Appropriations Bill, Which Has Overwhelming Bipartisan Support The Bipartisan Senate Emergency Border Funding Bill Passed 84-8 This afternoon, the Senate passed its bipartisan emergency appropriations bill for the crisis at the border by an overwhelming 84-8 vote. (H.R. 3401, Roll Call Vote #185: Passed 84-8, 6/26/2019) SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH … Continue Reading
06.20.19
Replacing The Obama EPA’s Job-Killing Coal Regulation
The Trump Administration Is Doing Away With An Obama EPA Regulation That 'Would Have Weaponized A Federal Agency To Bury Energy Producers,' 'Left Higher Electricity Costs In Its Wake,' And Cost American Jobs "The Environmental Protection Agency finalized its replacement for Obama's signature climate policy on Wednesday with a rule officials say will still reduce greenhouse gas emissions … The Clean Power Plan, which never went into effect, was a signature policy proposed by Presiden… Continue Reading
06.19.19
‘Kelly Craft Was An Integral Part Of The Negotiation Of The USMCA’
Canadian Officials Recognize Ambassador Craft 'Played An Instrumental Role In The Renegotiation Of NAFTA' And Business Leaders Valued Her 'Insights And Guidance' On U.S.-Canadian Trade BRIAN MULRONEY, FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA: "Ambassador Kelly Craft did outstanding work in Canada. She was highly regarded by all and played an important role in the successful negotiation of the USMCA. I have no doubt that she will be a highly impressive representative of the USA at the United Nations."… Continue Reading
06.19.19
Ambassador Kelly Craft: ‘She Really Proved Herself’
President Clinton's Former U.S. Ambassador To Canada Says 'We Know Kelly Can Represent Our Country Well Because We Have Watched Her Do It' Current And Former Canadian Officials: 'Ambassador Kelly Craft Did Outstanding Work In Canada,' 'She Really Proved Herself Over Some Tough Times' BRIAN MULRONEY, FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA: "Ambassador Kelly Craft did outstanding work in Canada. She was highly regarded by all and played an important role in the successful negotiation of the USMCA… Continue Reading
06.12.19
More Support From Health Care Professionals For Tobacco-Free Youth Act
Dozens Of Health Care Organizations Express Support For Leader McConnell's Tobacco-Free Youth Act, 'Legislation That Would Help Curb The Rise Of Youth Tobacco Use' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "The youth vaping crisis is putting the health of our children at risk. To address this rampant and dangerous new trend, I've introduced the 'Tobacco-Free Youth Act,' a bipartisan federal bill with my fellow tobacco state colleague, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. Once enacted, our leg… Continue Reading
06.11.19
Border Crisis: ‘We Are Running Out Of Money’
HHS Secretary Azar: '[B]y Early July, We May Be Out Of Funding … 'Congress Must Act And Give Us The Funding We Need. This Is Not About Politics. It Is Purely A Humanitarian Issue Of Caring For These Kids.' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "The agencies are overwhelmed. The facilities are overwhelmed. It is a true humanitarian crisis, totally unsustainable for these individuals whom our national security and rule of law dictate that we need to detain…. The professi… Continue Reading
06.10.19
‘We Are In A Full-Blown Emergency’
Staggering Numbers Of Migrants And Families Are Flooding The Southern Border, Straining Law Enforcement And Humanitarian Resources To The Breaking Point THE NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL BOARD: "Last week … United States Customs and Border Protection released its monthly migration statistics. They tell an alarming story. In May, 144,278 migrants were taken into custody. It was the third consecutive month in which apprehensions topped 100,000 and the highest one-month total in 13 years. Une… Continue Reading
06.05.19
‘An Ongoing Security And Humanitarian Crisis’ At The Border
'I Don't Think We've Ever Seen Anything Near This': More Funding Is Critical For Agencies 'Overwhelmed' By Record Numbers Of Migrants, Families, And Children Crossing The Southern Border SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "[T]he headlines remain filled with the unacceptable, unsustainable security crisis and humanitarian crisis on our southern border. By now I'm confident that every member of Congress has heard the breathtaking numbers. We've all heard the chaos analyzed a thousa… Continue Reading
05.23.19
Twice As Many Confirmations In Half The Time
A Clear Necessity: Since The Rules Change Last Month, The Senate Has Confirmed 45 Nominees In 21 Days, While Before It Took 48 Days To Confirm 23 Nominees SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "After two years of systematic heel-dragging from our friends across the aisle, even on the least controversial nominations, the modest reform the Senate adopted last month is helping us get back on track…. [Previously, these nominees] would've tied up the floor for days before being co… Continue Reading
