Remarks
Passage of Education Reform Another Example of Congress Back to Work Under Republican Leadership
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding bipartisan accomplishments in the 114th Congress: "What a difference a new Senate can make. "Some may have thought Washington would never agree on a replacement for No Child Left Behind. Years of inaction on the Senate floor gave ample cause for doubt. Some may have been skeptical when a new Senate with a new approach resolved to finally solve the problem too. "But no lo… Continue Reading
12.09.15
Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Thirteenth Amendment’s Ratification
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate held a ceremony today commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery. The following are Leader McConnell's remarks delivered during the ceremony, which took place in Emancipation Hall, in the U.S. Capitol: "It was a January afternoon. "The air was frozen in apprehension. It was leavened with anticipation. "Hope and fear danced together that day, intermingling as they sometimes do at such important… Continue Reading
12.09.15
Senate to Vote Today on Landmark Education Reform Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding bipartisan education reform, another in a series of bipartisan accomplishments in the 114th Congress: "Some questioned whether Washington could ever agree on a replacement for No Child Left Behind. "They needn't question any longer. Just consider today's headline from the Associated Press: 'Outdated education law up for major makeover in Senate.' "This morning, we expect tha… Continue Reading
12.08.15
Senate Set to Pass Bipartisan Education Bill That Replaces No Child Left Behind
'In short, the Every Student Succeeds Act would put education back in the hands of those who know our kids best: parents, teachers, states, and school boards. It would help students succeed instead of helping Washington grow.' WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding bipartisan education reform, another in a series of bipartisan accomplishments in the new Congress: "Both parties have long agreed that No Child… Continue Reading
12.07.15
Education Bill a Bipartisan, Reformist Replacement for No Child Left Behind
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding bi-partisan education reform: "Last November, the American people elected a new Congress to get Washington working again. "Nearly every day seems to bring more signs that we are. "Over the weekend, President Obama signed the FAST Act, a multi-year highway bill, into law. "It represents a significant departure from years of short-term extensions and congressional inaction. … Continue Reading
12.07.15
President’s Oval Office Address ‘A Missed Opportunity,’ Says McConnell
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the President's insufficient plan defeat ISIL: "Last evening President Obama addressed the Nation concerning the threat ISIL poses to our people. "Unfortunately, the American people did not hear of a strategy or plan to defeat and destroy this terrorist army. Instead, they heard a restatement of a military campaign crafted to contain ISIL within Iraq and Syria. "Follow… Continue Reading
12.03.15
Promise Kept: Senate Passes Obamacare Repeal Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding passage of Obamacare repeal legislation: "For years, the American people have been calling on Washington to build a bridge away from Obamacare. For years, Democrats prevented the Senate from passing legislation to do so. But in just a moment, that will change. "It will be a victory for the Middle Class families who've endured this law's pain for too long. "On their med… Continue Reading
12.03.15
Long-term Highway Bill Another Senate Accomplishment under Republican Leadership
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding Senate accomplishments: "Every day this week, I've mentioned some of the significant accomplishments of a Senate under new management-a Senate that's put its focus back on the American people. "After years of inaction, this Senate took bipartisan action to help the victims of modern-day slavery. "Many said the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act would never pass the S… Continue Reading
12.03.15
Senate Will Vote Today on Bill to Repeal Obamacare
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act: "Middle Class Americans continue to call on Washington to build a bridge away from Obamacare. They want better care. They want real health reform. "For too long, Democrats did everything to prevent Congress from passing the type of legislation necessary to help these Americans who are hurting. "Today, that e… Continue Reading
12.02.15
Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act Another Senate Bipartisan Achievement
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding Senate accomplishments: "The past few days, I've noted some of the achievements of a new Congress that's back to work on the side of the American people. "We've passed bills no one ever thought Washington could touch. We've made reforms that had previously languished for years without result. "Even more remarkably, we've often done so on a bipartisan basis. "Consider just the … Continue Reading
12.02.15
Obamacare – A Direct Attack on America’s Middle Class
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the pitfalls of Obamacare: "Obamacare is a direct attack on the Middle Class of our country. It's a partisan law that puts ideology before people, that hurts many of the very Americans it was supposed to help. "It resulted in millions of cancellation notices for hardworking Americans who had plans they liked, and who'd done nothing wrong. "It raised premiums, co-pays, d… Continue Reading
12.01.15
Senate Continues to Add to Growing List of Accomplishments For American Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding Senate accomplishments: "The new Republican Senate has been working hard to get Congress back to work over the past year. We've obviously had a lot of success. "As I noted yesterday, the new Republican Senate will soon pass two really significant, bipartisan bills for a second and final time - the bipartisan multi-year highway bill and the bipartisan replacement for No C… Continue Reading
12.01.15
Senate Set to Begin Debate on Obamacare Repeal Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding Obamacare repeal: "When Washington Democrats passed Obamacare over the objections of the American people, they were confident Americans would soon warm to the law. "But more than five years later, the American people continue to oppose this unprecedented Democrat attack on their health care. "Is it any wonder? "When Americans think Obamacare, they think increased cost. … Continue Reading
11.30.15
McConnell Highlights Bipartisan Senate Accomplishments
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding Senate accomplishments: "Last election, the American people chose a new direction with a new Republican majority in Congress. "We've been working hard ever since to get Congress back on their side and back to work. "Over the past year: "Americans have seen committees up and running again. "Americans have seen bills passing again. "Americans have seen meaningful, bip… Continue Reading
11.30.15
McConnell Outlines Failures of President’s Power Plan as Paris Climate Talks Convene
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the President's costly power plan: "When President Obama tried to push a regressive, anti-Middle Class energy tax through a Democrat-controlled Congress, his own party said no. "Undeterred, the President simply went around Congress to impose similarly regressive - and likely illegal - 'power plan' energy regulations anyway. "He's currently trying to sell that power pla… Continue Reading
11.19.15
President Warned Not to Skirt Law that Bans Bringing Guantanamo Terrorists into U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding Guantanamo terrorists: "Years ago, then-candidate Obama made a campaign promise that has not withstood the measure of time or the realities brought by terrorism. "He said he wanted to close the secure detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. Ever since, he has pursued policies that willfully avoided the targeting chain of capture, interrogate, build intelligence, and target. "It … Continue Reading
11.19.15
Obama Administration Should Hit Pause Button on Refugee Entries, McConnell Says
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding Syrian refugees: "It's clear that the American people are concerned about the Administration's ability to properly vet thousands of individuals from Syria. "More than half of our nation's governors, governors of both parties, have demonstrated their concern. "Many members in Congress, members of both parties, have raised concerns too. "Given all this and given all that's hap… Continue Reading
11.18.15
Senate Opens Debate on Bill to Fund America’s Transportation and Housing Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act: "From the outset, the new Senate has worked to realize a smarter and more inclusive appropriations process. "That's why we passed a budget, moving past six years of inaction. "That's why we passed all 12 appropriations bills through committee, moving past six years of inaction. "Nearly all of those … Continue Reading
11.17.15
Post-Election Transition is a Potential Watershed for Reform Efforts, McConnell Says
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the recent elections in Burma: "On several occasions this year, I have come to the floor and noted that this year's Burmese election would represent a crucial test for the country's path to political reform. The lead-up to this November's election was marked by a number of discouraging structural developments: the disenfranchisement of the Rohingya population and the defeat of… Continue Reading
11.17.15
Senate Considers Measures to Block Obama Administration’s Anti-Coal Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding two resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act of the President's EPA regulations: "The Obama Administration is trying to impose deeply regressive energy regulations that would eliminate good-paying jobs, punish the poor, and make it even harder for Kentuckians to put food on the table. "Their effect on global carbon levels? Essentially a rounding error. "Th… Continue Reading
