08.28.18

Completing Unfinished Business in August

‘The Senate has now passed regular appropriations measures that account for 87% of next fiscal year’s discretionary spending. We finalized our work on the National Defense Authorization Act, named for Senator McCain. And in August alone, we’ve confirmed eight more of the president’s well-qualified nominees... I hope we can continue to make progress. It remains my intention to confirm all 17 of the nominees currently before us before the Senate concludes our business this week."

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the need to confirm more of the president’s well-qualified nominees: 

“August is usually a time for Senators to spend more time in our home states, meeting with our constituents and reporting on the progress we’ve made in Washington. But this August had to be different. There was too much business left unfinished. So I made the decision to keep the Senate in session this month to continue working on behalf of the American people. I’m proud to report that is just what we’ve done.

“The Senate has now passed regular appropriations measures that account for 87% of next fiscal year’s discretionary spending. We finalized our work on the National Defense Authorization Act, named for Senator McCain. And in August alone, we’ve confirmed eight more of the president’s well-qualified nominees for the federal courts.

“But as I’ve stated, the continuing, historic obstruction from Democrats on the president’s nominees continues to make our progress on that front insufficient. So -- we’ll stay at it. Currently before us are nominees to be an Assistant Secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services. A Vice Chairman for the Federal Reserve. Important posts at the Departments of Justice and Treasury. And a slate of impressive nominees for the federal judiciary.

“I hope we can continue to make progress. It remains my intention to confirm all 17 of the nominees currently before us before the Senate concludes our business this week.”

Related Issues: NDAA, Appropriations, Judicial Nominations, America's Military