Press Releases
McConnell Statement on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
LOUISVILLE, KY - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Senator McConnell, while serving as a Congressional intern, witnessed Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington, D.C., in 1963. "Today we honor one of our nation's heroes, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who dreamt of an America that fulfills the principles of her founding with opportunity for all regardless of race. More than 50 years after his most famous speech… Continue Reading
01.15.16
McConnell Statement on President Obama's Latest Attack on Coal
LOUISVILLE, KY - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement today regarding the Department of the Interior's (DOI) announcement on federal coal leasing: "At a time when Americans are calling on the Obama Administration to protect our nation and strengthen the Middle Class, the Administration is again making clear that its priorities are elsewhere. Today's announcement to halt federal coal leasing represents just the latest front in an ideological War on Coal … Continue Reading
01.12.16
McConnell Comments on President’s Final State of The Union Address
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell commented following President Obama's State of the Union Address and spoke to the importance of hosting a Kentucky coal miner as his guest tonight: SOTU RESPONSE: "Well he did the best job he could to try to convince Americans that somehow things are getting better in the United States and around the world. With regard to his foreign policy, Jimmy Carter summed it up pretty well earlier this summer when he said that he couldn't th… Continue Reading
01.11.16
Former Kentucky Coal Miner to Attend State of the Union as Guest of Senator McConnell
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced today that a 4th-generation coal miner, Howard Abshire of Pike County, Kentucky, will be his guest at the President's State of the Union address on Tuesday. Mr. Abshire, who lost his job at Fortress Resources, McCoy Elkhorn Division, after the mine shut down, is temporarily employed in eastern Kentucky working to remove mining equipment from closed mines. "I am honored that Howard accepted my invitation to attend the Presi… Continue Reading
01.05.16
McConnell Statement on President Obama’s Political Gun Control Announcement
Fort Knox, Ky. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement on President Obama's gun control remarks and his recent call to 'politicize' the issue: "In the wake of the President's vow to 'politicize' shootings, it's hard to see today's announcement as being about more than politics. The President has overseen a dramatic drop in prosecutions related to the enforcement of gun laws already on the books, and his party recently voted once again to defeat a Senate measur… Continue Reading
12.14.15
McConnell Statement on the U.N. Climate Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement regarding the President's support for the United Nations climate proposal: "The climate proposal announced today represents nothing more than a long-term planning document. The President is making promises he can't keep, writing checks he can't cash, and stepping over the middle class to take credit for an 'agreement' that is subject to being shredded in 13 months. His commitments to help leaders abroad … Continue Reading
12.06.15
McConnell Previews President’s Speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement in advance of the President's speech to the nation: "As we approach the last year of President Obama's term, Americans understand that the terrorist threat has evolved but not vanished-and it has certainly not been 'contained.' Whether ISIL terrorists are training in camps in Syria or using online magazines to instruct and inspire lone wolves, they represent a serious threat to this country and now is th… Continue Reading
12.03.15
Senator McConnell Helps Deliver Long-Term Highway Bill to Benefit Kentucky
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised Senate passage today of a five-year transportation bill, the longest-term transportation bill to pass Congress in almost two decades. The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act provides 5 years of fully paid for transportation funding and long-term certainty in a fiscally responsible way. "While Kentucky has a strong network of interstates, highways and parkways, it's obvious to anyone who has driven in the Commo… Continue Reading
12.02.15
In the First Week as Senate Majority Leader, McConnell Works to Pass Legislation that Benefits Kentucky
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell helped secure passage of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Authorization Act (TRIA), which includes a number of provisions important to Kentucky. The bill, which now goes to the President for his signature, is the first piece of legislation approved in the 114th Congress by the United States Senate, now led by Senator McConnell. The passage of TRIA will extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, which provides a federal reinsurance backsto… Continue Reading
12.01.15
McConnell Bill Addressing Prenatal Addiction and Infant Opioid Withdrawal Signed Into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell applauded the President for signing into law legislation he introduced that will help address the rise of prenatal opioid abuse and the epidemic of infants who suffer from opioid withdrawal. The Protecting Our Infants Act, cosponsored by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a departmental review to identify gaps in research and detect any duplication, overlap, or gaps in preve… Continue Reading
11.24.15
‘A Quintessentially American Celebration’
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell today released a video message wishing all Americans a happy Thanksgiving holiday. Click on the image below to view his comments: The following is a transcript of the Majority Leader's message: "Thanksgiving is a quintessentially American celebration rooted in our nation's earliest foundations. It represents a shared experience of adversity, perseverance and friendship that has made our country what it is today. "It was George Washington who procl… Continue Reading
11.20.15
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell & Senator John McCain Introduce Resolution Commending Elections In Burma & Urging Prompt & Orderly Transition Of Power
Washington, D.C. - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today introduced a Senate Resolution congratulating the people of Burma on successfully completing free and democratic elections after nearly 50 years of military rule. The resolution also recognizes Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi who led the National League for Democracy to winning sizable majorities in both chambers of Burma's Union Parliament, the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. In addition, the r… Continue Reading
11.20.15
McConnell, Wyden, Polis, Massie Join To Advance Industrial Hemp Research
Requesting USDA to clarify industrial hemp's eligibility for federal research grants WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) today sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to clarify that industrial hemp research programs are eligible for existing federal research dollars. The letter was signed by a total of 12 Senators and 3… Continue Reading
11.18.15
Senator McConnell’s Bill to Address Prenatal Addiction and Infant Opioid Withdrawal Goes to President for Signature
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan held an enrollment ceremony today for Senator McConnell's legislation to address the rise of prenatal opioid abuse and infants suffering from opioid withdrawal. The Protecting Our Infants Act was signed today by Speaker Ryan and is now being sent to the President for his signature. Speaker Paul Ryan signs Senator McConnell's bill, Protecting Our Infants Act, prior to sending to the President's desk. The … Continue Reading
11.18.15
Senator McConnell Receives Award for Efforts Fighting War on Coal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was honored today with the Annual Achievement Award by the Washington Coal Club for his work to defend Kentucky's coal jobs, miners and their families. Senator McConnell was presented the award by Bill Bissett, the President of the Kentucky Coal Association (KCA). KCA President Bill Bissett and members of the Washington Coal Club present Senator McConnell with the Annual Achievement Award. "I accept this award on behalf of our coal… Continue Reading
11.17.15
Senate Passes Bipartisan Measures to Overturn Obama Administration’s Anti-Coal Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Senate tonight approved two resolutions of disapproval that would halt the Obama Administration's anti-coal regulations. The Senate voted to approve a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) sponsored by Senator McConnell and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) designed to stop the White House from imposing anti-jobs regulations that attack new coal-fired energy plants and their workers. The Senate also passed a separate disapproval resolut… Continue Reading
11.16.15
McConnell, Capito Begin Senate Process to Address Obama Administration’s Anti-Coal Regulations
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced today that he and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) placed their resolutions of disapproval regarding the Obama Administration's anti-coal regulations on the Senate's calendar, meaning they could come up for a vote as early as this week. Sen. McConnell and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) filed a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) last month that is designed to stop the White House from imposing anti-j… Continue Reading
11.16.15
McConnell/Casey Bill Addressing Prenatal Addiction and Infant Opioid Withdrawal Passes House; Now Goes to President for Signature
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced today that their legislation to address the rise of prenatal opioid abuse and infants suffering from opioid withdrawal was approved by the House of Representatives. The bipartisan Protecting Our Infants Act now goes to the President for his signature. This measure directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a departmental review to identify gaps in research and any … Continue Reading
11.06.15
McConnell Statement on President’s Rejection of Keystone Pipeline
LOUISVILLE, KY-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell today released the following statement after President Obama rejected construction of the Keystone jobs and infrastructure project: "I wish I were surprised by the President's decision to reject this jobs and infrastructure project. But it's become painfully clear that the President is more interested in appeasing deep-pocketed special interests and extremists than helping tens of thousands of Americans who could have benefited from Keystone… Continue Reading
11.06.15
Richmond Police Officer Daniel Ellis
LOUISVILLE, KY - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement today honoring the life of Richmond, Kentucky police officer Daniel Ellis: "Tragic news today as Kentucky lost one of its brave law-enforcement officers. Officer Daniel Ellis died in the line of duty and we honor his life and service. Please join me in praying for his family, his fellow officers and the Richmond community."… Continue Reading
