Press Releases
Senate Passes Bill to Create “Blue Alert” to Help Catch Suspects Who Attack Law Enforcement Officers
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced today the Senate passed a bill he co-sponsored to establish a national "Blue Alert" system within the U.S. Department of Justice to help catch those who kill, harm, or threaten law enforcement officers. The National Blue Alert Act would create a nationwide system similar to what the Amber Alert system does for abducted children. "Should law enforcement officers be killed, seriously injured, threatened, or go missing while i… Continue Reading
04.29.15
McConnell Comments on Passing of Judge John G. Heyburn II
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement today regarding the passing of Judge John G. Heyburn II: "Today our commonwealth says a sad goodbye to a great Kentuckian, Judge John G. Heyburn II. Known for his searing intellect, fiercely competitive spirit, and quick wit, John Heyburn untangled countless legal knots and delivered sweeping legal opinions on cases of incredible complexity over his more than two decades on the federal bench. And yet… Continue Reading
04.29.15
Senator McConnell Questions EPA Administrator on War On Coal
Washington, D.C.-U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pressed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy today during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing regarding the EPA's anti-coal regulation that would devastate Kentucky coal jobs and harm our economy. Earlier this year, Senator McConnell joined the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies for the 114th Congress - the panel which oversees the budget for the EPA.… Continue Reading
04.28.15
Senate Begins Crucial Debate on Administration's Interim Iran Nuke Agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act: "Two weeks ago, every Republican and every Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee voted to approve the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. "That 19 to 0 vote cleared the way for its consideration on the floor today. "This is an important debate for our country. At its heart, it turns on a central proposition: do the American people, t… Continue Reading
04.22.15
McConnell Welcomes Senate Passage of Anti-Slavery Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement following Senate passage of bipartisan anti-slavery legislation: "Today's Senate passage of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act is an important next step in helping the thousands of Americans, enslaved and hopeless, who suffer unspeakable abuse in the shadows. I thank Senator Cornyn in particular for his unrelenting pursuit of justice for these victims of modern slavery. He worked overtime to finall… Continue Reading
04.22.15
Trade Promotion Authority Legislation Protects and Enhances Congress’ Role in Trade Negotiations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding Trade Promotion Authority Legislation: "I believe we are going to be hearing from the Chairman of the Finance Committee shortly. "Senator Hatch will be here to discuss bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority legislation, which is important because we know that trade is the key to supporting high-quality American jobs and exporting more of the things American workers make and expo… Continue Reading
04.22.15
Senate Set to Pass Anti-Slavery Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the bipartisan path forward on the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act: "Help is finally on the way for the thousands of enslaved victims who suffer unspeakable abuse in the shadows. These victims often have nowhere safe to sleep. They often have no one safe to turn to. And if they do try to escape, many risk being treated by the justice system like criminals instead of the… Continue Reading
04.21.15
Sens. Paul, McConnell Introduce FOCUS Act of 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Rand Paul and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell today reintroduced the Freedom from Over-Criminalization and Unjust Seizures (FOCUS) Act of 2015. This legislation removes each and every reference to "foreign law" within the Lacey Act and substitutes the Lacey Act's criminal penalties with a reasonable civil penalty system. The Lacey Act, originally passed in 1900, is a conservation law that attempts to prohibit the trafficking of "illegal" wildlife, fish and… Continue Reading
04.17.15
McConnell Marks the 20th Anniversary of Oklahoma City Bombing
Louisville, KY - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement today regarding the 20th anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing (April 19): "Today, 168 empty chairs mark the spot in Oklahoma City where a nine-story building once stood. Each chair is a reminder of a life lost tragically two decades ago, when domestic terrorists showered senseless violence down upon the innocent. Our nation pays its respects to each of these victims and their families in marking this… Continue Reading
04.16.15
McConnell Welcomes Introduction of Bipartisan Trade Promotion Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement following the introduction of bipartisan trade promotion legislation by Sens. Orrin Hatch of Utah and Ron Wyden of Oregon, the chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Finance Committee: "The Trade Promotion Authority legislation introduced today represents a real step forward on policy that has enjoyed long-standing bipartisan support, and will help expand markets for American goods and se… Continue Reading
04.15.15
Senate Clears Bipartisan Bill To Strengthen Medicare, Protect Seniors’ Access To Their Doctors
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement regarding the passage of the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act (the bill has already passed the House and now heads to the President for his signature): "Instead of kicking this important Medicare payment issue down the road again, a strong bipartisan majority in Congress voted to finally solve the problem and ensure that seniors on Medicare don't lose access to their doctors. … Continue Reading
04.15.15
Pressure Mounts on Senate Democrats to End Their Filibuster of Anti-Slavery Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor urging Senate Democrats to end their filibuster of bipartisan human rights legislation: "Hours ago, 100% of Senate Democrats followed the lead of Republicans and Democrats in the House - including Nancy Pelosi and the Pro-Choice Caucus - in voting to endorse the bipartisan principle that federal funds leaving the government should be subject to bipartisan Hyde language. Given that Ameri… Continue Reading
04.06.15
McConnell Statement on Interim Iran Nuke Agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement today regarding the interim agreement on Iran's nuclear program: "Last week I led a Senate delegation to Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Iran's support of Hezbollah, the Assad regime, Shia militias in Iraq, Houthi insurgents in Yemen - along with its ongoing nuclear ambitions - reveal an ongoing effort to both expand the Iranian sphere of influence throughout the greater Middle East and undermine Am… Continue Reading
04.01.15
Coalition Applauds Senator McConnell’s Efforts to Combat President’s War on Coal
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Several groups wrote to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell today to applaud his "work with state governors and legislators to push back against the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) usurpation of state electricity policy through its proposed Clean Power Plan (CPP)." In the letter, the groups wrote that "federal and state officials are right to question the CPP's legality and the repercussions that would result from submission of a State Implementation Plan"…… Continue Reading
03.31.15
McConnell Statement on Obama Administration International Climate Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement regarding the Obama administration's unworkable Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) in preparation for global climate talks in Paris: "Even if the job-killing and likely illegal Clean Power Plan were fully implemented, the United States could not meet the targets laid out in this proposed new plan. Considering that two-thirds of the U.S. federal government hasn't even signed off on the C… Continue Reading
03.27.15
McConnell Statement on Sen. Reid’s Retirement Announcement
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement regarding the decision by Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid to retire at the end of his term: "Nothing has ever come easily to this son of Searchlight. Underestimated often, his distinctive grit and determined focus nevertheless saw him through many challenges. They continue to make him a formidable opponent today. Through every turn in his long career, Landra would be there by his side -- and Harry by… Continue Reading
03.27.15
McConnell Amendment to Help Adoptive Families Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The United States Senate approved a bipartisan amendment offered by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that would urge the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to allow children who have been legally adopted by American citizens to leave the DRC for the United States. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) co-sponsored the amendment to the 2015 U.S. Senate Budget Resolution, which passed this morning. On September 25, 2013, the DRC government suspended the issuance of exit… Continue Reading
03.27.15
McConnell Statement on Senate Passage of FY 2016 Balanced Budget
'By passing a balanced budget that emphasizes growth, common sense and the needs of the middle class, Republicans have shown that the Senate is under new management and delivering on the change and responsible government the American people expect.' WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement Friday after passage of the Fiscal Year 2016 Senate budget that balances within 10 years and does so without raising taxes: "By passing a balan… Continue Reading
03.26.15
McConnell Amendment to Fight War on Coal Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The United States Senate tonight approved (57-43) a bipartisan amendment by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that would prohibit the withholding of federal highway funds from states that refuse to submit a plan to implement a proposed new EPA regulation. The McConnell amendment to the Senate's budget resolution would protect states and ensure no highway funds were withheld because of the new demands from the EPA. Federal highway funding has been withheld in the pas… Continue Reading
03.26.15
Senators McConnell, Heller, Capito and Paul Introduce Legislation to Help America’s Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced legislation today to help rural communities harmed by Obama Administration policies that restrict access to rural lending opportunities. Sens. Dean Heller (R-NV), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Rand Paul (R-KY) are original cosponsors of the Helping Expand Lending Practices in (HELP) Rural Communities Act, which would provide rural communities with better access to credit opportunities that can help grow their local econ… Continue Reading
