Press Releases
McConnell receives Building Independence Award from American Printing House for the Blind
Louisville, KY - The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is pleased to announce that U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in acknowledgement of his continuing efforts in support of educational opportunities for people with vision loss, is a recipient of APH's new Building Independence Award. The award is intended to demonstrate APH's sincere gratitude for outstanding efforts in support of its mission. "Senator McConnell clearly recognizes the challenges that blind and visually i… Continue Reading
06.09.15
McConnell: Don’t Hold Bipartisan Defense Bill Hostage
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding defense authorization legislation: "The defense authorization legislation before the Senate would authorize the programs and funding that provide the kind of training and equipment our military needs in the face of aggressive threats like ISIL. It would provide a well-deserved pay raise to the brave men and women who give everything to keep us safe. And it contains exactly the… Continue Reading
05.31.15
McConnell on the Passing of Beau Biden
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the passing of the Vice President's son, Beau Biden: "I'd like to begin by expressing sincere condolences to the entire Biden family in their moment of such deep and profound loss. Beau Biden was known to many as a dedicated public servant, a loving father of two, and a devoted partner to the woman he loved: Hallie. I've known the Vice President for many years, and it's hard t… Continue Reading
05.27.15
McConnell Office Statement on EPA Regulation
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Robert Steurer, Communications Director for Senator Mitch McConnell, released the following statement today regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule to regulate "the waters of the United States" (WOTUS): "Senator McConnell is still reviewing the rule. However, he has heard from Kentuckians in the agriculture community, coal industry, and manufacturing that any attempt to expand federal power over waters would be detrimental to the economy by limiting the abil… Continue Reading
05.22.15
McConnell on Senate Passage of Trade Promotion Authority
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement after Senate passage of Trade Promotion Authority: "Tonight's vote shows that Republicans and Democrats can stand strong, together, for the Middle Class; it's yet another example of a new Congress that's back to work on behalf of the American people. The trade legislation we passed is all about creating new opportunities for bigger paychecks, better jobs, and a stronger economy. The tools it contains wil… Continue Reading
05.22.15
Memorial Day 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement honoring the members of our Armed Forces on this Memorial Day, May 25: "This Monday we'll honor our nation's greatest heroes: Every American who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom, democracy, and the American way of life. We'll proudly fly the flag that these brave heroes sought to protect. "Memorial Day is also a time to express our gratitude to the families of the fallen, to let them … Continue Reading
05.19.15
“Blue Alert Act” Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released a statement today regarding the President signing the Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act of 2015 into law. Senator McConnell co-sponsored the bill establishing 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 law creates a nationwide system similar to what the Amber Alert system does for abducted children. Sh… Continue Reading
05.19.15
Senators McConnell & Markey Partner on National Effort to Address Prescription Drug and Heroin Crisis
Nearly 25,000 Americans die each year from an opioid overdose WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue a Surgeon General's Report and Call to Action on prescription drug and heroin abuse. With the opioid crisis reaching epidemic proportions in Massachusetts, Kentucky and states across the nation, the Senators sent a letter to HHS requesting the Surgeon … Continue Reading
05.13.15
McConnell Co-Sponsors Adoptive Family Relief Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell co-sponsored legislation that would assist families adopting from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The bipartisan Adoptive Family Relief Act, introduced today by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Ron Johnson (R-WI), would allow the U.S. Department of State to waive fees for adoptive families who must continually renew the visas for their adopted children who remain unable to travel to the U.S., such as in the case of t… Continue Reading
05.08.15
Recognizing the 70th Anniversary of V-E Day
LOUISVILLE, KY - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement recognizing the 70th anniversary of V-E Day: "Today we mark the 70th anniversary of V-E Day. The fall of the Third Reich and the end of the war in Europe represented a momentous victory for our country and the world. It was a victory that liberated millions, but it was a victory won at a terrible cost: the lives of countless young American and Allied soldiers, including thousands of Kentuckians. We will re… Continue Reading
04.30.15
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
