Press Releases
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
11.04.15
McConnell on Passage of Resolution to Overturn Administration’s Indefensible Waterways Regulation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement today after the Senate approved Senator Ernst's resolution of disapproval on the 'Waters of the U.S.' rule: "The Senate stood up for middle-class homeowners and family farmers today by voting to overturn the Obama Administration's so-called 'Waters of the U.S.' regulation-a rule that would place virtually all private property near a ditch, pothole or puddle under the thumb of federal bureaucrats. This … Continue Reading
11.04.15
Following Agreement on Budget Numbers, Senate to Consider Bipartisan Troop Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding defense appropriations: "We live in a time of diverse and challenging global threats. "It's a time when we see ISIL consolidating its gains in Iraq and Syria. "It's a time when we see the forces of Assad marching alongside Iranian soldiers and Hezbollah militias. "It's a time when we see Russian aircraft flying above them in support. "And it's a time when commanders tell u… Continue Reading
11.04.15
McConnell Congratulates Governor-Elect Bevin
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today congratulating Governor-elect Matt Bevin and other incoming officeholders on their wins last night: "Let me begin this morning by congratulating Kentucky's Governor-elect and the entire Republican ticket on a big win last night. "I remember when the Republican nomination was hardly worth having in Kentucky, so it says something when we see spirited competition for it. The Governo… Continue Reading
10.27.15
Senator McConnell Introduces Measure to Overturn EPA’s Regulation on New Coal-Fired Plants
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) designed to stop the Obama Administration from imposing its anti-coal regulation on new coal-fired plants. Senator McConnell also joined Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) in filing a separate CRA that relates to the regulation affecting existing coal-fired plants. The Obama Administration's cost… Continue Reading
10.23.15
McConnell Will File Measure to Overturn EPA’s Regulation on New Coal-Fired Plants
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Friday that he and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) will file a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) next week that is designed to stop the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from imposing its anti-coal regulation on new coal-fired plants. Senator McConnell also plans to join Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) who will file a separate CRA next week with Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) regarding the… Continue Reading
10.22.15
McConnell Bill to Address Prenatal Addiction and Infant Opioid Withdrawal One Step Closer to Becoming Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced today that his legislation to address the rise of prenatal opioid abuse and infants suffering from opioid withdrawal passed the U.S. Senate. Senator McConnell introduced the Protecting Our Infants Act earlier this year with Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH). The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. "I was pleased to see the Senate pass the bipartisan Protecting Our… Continue Reading
10.09.15
Kentucky Co-Op Collapse Another Consequence of Obamacare’s Failures
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following comments today regarding the announcement that the Kentucky Health Cooperative, a nonprofit health insurer created in Obamacare with federal taxpayer funds and that provided health insurance to individuals on Kentucky's Obamacare exchange (kynect), has ceased operations: "Barely a week goes by that we don't see another harmful consequence of this poorly conceived, badly executed law. Despite repeated Obama adminis… Continue Reading
10.09.15
McConnell Comments on Court Decision Halting WOTUS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following comments today regarding the decision by the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals to suspend implementation of the "Waters of the United States" rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): "Today's decision by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals is a welcome setback for an Obama Administration agenda based more on ideology than facts, an agenda that continues to hurt the Middle Class. I've heard fr… Continue Reading
10.07.15
McConnell-Cosponsored Bill to Assist Families Adopting Children from Democratic Republic of the Congo Passes Congress; Now Goes to President
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Wednesday that the Adoptive Family Relief Act has passed the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and is now on its way to the President for his signature. This legislation, which Senator McConnell cosponsored with Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), and 19 other bipartisan senators, will provide meaningful financial relief to families adopting children from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (… Continue Reading
10.05.15
Trade Agreement Will Face ‘Intense Scrutiny’ in Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement on the announced agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): "The Trans-Pacific Partnership is potentially one of the most significant trade deals in history and could shape our engagement and commerce with these nations for decades. We are committed to opening trade in a way that benefits American manufacturers, farmers, and innovators. But serious concerns have been raised on a number of key… Continue Reading
10.01.15
McConnell Comments on President Obama’s Ozone Rule
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following comments today regarding the Obama Administration's latest regulation dubbed the "most expensive regulation in U.S. history": "The Obama Administration's latest attack on the Middle Class, another massive regulation with negligible benefits that threatens to ship American jobs overseas, could throw thousands of Kentuckians out of work every year and impose hundreds of millions in costs on Kentucky employers. Nation… Continue Reading
10.01.15
McConnell to Senate Democrats: Don’t Block Funding for America’s Veterans
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 bill and funding for Veterans Affairs: "With each passing day the American people are reminded of the peril attached to the Obama Administration's inflexible determination to conduct American foreign policy based on campaign promises made in 2008. "These goals - unilaterally withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan based on fi… Continue Reading
