McConnell Honors Departing Senior Senate Floor Assistant Megan Mercer
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor thanking Megan Mercer for her years of Senate service:
“It’s a small group of people who become familiar faces right here on the floor of the United States Senate.
“There are the Senators ourselves… the nonpartisan professionals on the dais… the Capitol Police and doorkeepers…
“And then, Madam President, you have the men and women of each party’s cloakroom. These small and tight-knit teams keep information flowing from the Senate floor to members’ offices and vice versa.
“They track legislation and amendments. They negotiate procedure across the aisle. And a thousand other duties that all add up to intense days, late nights, and a truly front-row seat to Congress.
“For the last decade, one of these special few has been a daughter of Kentucky and an alumna of my own office: Megan Mercer.
“Megan’s Senate story started about 15 years ago when she spent a summer as a page.
“Before long, this impressive young woman took an internship in my personal office, serving Kentucky… then an entry-level position in my leadership office, here in the Capitol… and then Megan came here to the floor, to the Republican cloakroom.
“A decade ago now, she took a seat behind their big desk. She answered phones. She answered questions. She learned the ropes. And over 10 years, she worked her way up to the key role of Senior Floor Assistant.
“Pick any important vote, and Megan’s been right here in the well, at this table, tallying the count for our side. She’s cleared legislation and consent requests. She’s negotiated with Democratic counterparts on a daily basis.
“Through it all, Megan’s colleagues have come to admire her patience, level-headedness, and the institutional knowledge she has built up. And so have us Senators.
“Fortunately, the work has not been thankless. I remember Megan was especially thrilled when Senator Lamar Alexander made sure that Megan’s help with the Music Modernization Act yielded a signed thank-you note from Dolly Parton, one of her all-time favorites.
“So as we unfortunately prepare for Megan’s upcoming departure from the Senate, I want to thank Megan for her fine public service.
“Megan has made her native Kentucky proud.
“She’s made her parents, Dr. Albert and Robin Mercer, very proud.
“And she has made me proud as well.”
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