Remarks
President Warned Not to Skirt Law that Bans Bringing Guantanamo Terrorists into U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding Guantanamo terrorists: "Years ago, then-candidate Obama made a campaign promise that has not withstood the measure of time or the realities brought by terrorism. "He said he wanted to close the secure detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. Ever since, he has pursued policies that willfully avoided the targeting chain of capture, interrogate, build intelligence, and target. "It … Continue Reading
11.19.15
Obama Administration Should Hit Pause Button on Refugee Entries, McConnell Says
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding Syrian refugees: "It's clear that the American people are concerned about the Administration's ability to properly vet thousands of individuals from Syria. "More than half of our nation's governors, governors of both parties, have demonstrated their concern. "Many members in Congress, members of both parties, have raised concerns too. "Given all this and given all that's hap… Continue Reading
11.18.15
Senate Opens Debate on Bill to Fund America’s Transportation and Housing Infrastructure
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act: "From the outset, the new Senate has worked to realize a smarter and more inclusive appropriations process. "That's why we passed a budget, moving past six years of inaction. "That's why we passed all 12 appropriations bills through committee, moving past six years of inaction. "Nearly all of those … Continue Reading
11.17.15
Post-Election Transition is a Potential Watershed for Reform Efforts, McConnell Says
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the recent elections in Burma: "On several occasions this year, I have come to the floor and noted that this year's Burmese election would represent a crucial test for the country's path to political reform. The lead-up to this November's election was marked by a number of discouraging structural developments: the disenfranchisement of the Rohingya population and the defeat of… Continue Reading
11.17.15
Senate Considers Measures to Block Obama Administration’s Anti-Coal Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding two resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act of the President's EPA regulations: "The Obama Administration is trying to impose deeply regressive energy regulations that would eliminate good-paying jobs, punish the poor, and make it even harder for Kentuckians to put food on the table. "Their effect on global carbon levels? Essentially a rounding error. "Th… Continue Reading
11.17.15
The Attacks in Paris
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the terrorist attacks in Paris: "Allow me to express what I know each of my colleagues feels today. "We, the 100 men and women of the United States Senate, send our sincere condolences to the people of France. From across the Atlantic, Americans send condolences to the victims, to their families, and to first responders. "We understand the pain and the loss that accompany a … Continue Reading
11.10.15
Senate Will Vote Today on VA and Military Construction Funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act: "The veterans funding bill before us is the result of great work by another champion of veterans: Senator Kirk, Chair of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. "Just like Senator Isakson's Veteran's Affairs Committee, the subcommittee led by the Senator from Illinois … Continue Reading
11.10.15
Defense Bill Retains Bipartisan Prohibition Against President Sending Guantanamo Terrorists to U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the National Defense Authorization Act: "We'll turn to legislation today that the men and women who currently wear our uniform have had to wait too long for. "When Senator McCain says that 'it is the first duty of the federal government to protect the nation,' he means it. He knows what it means to serve. He knows what it means to sacrifice. And in his role as Chair of … Continue Reading
11.10.15
Veterans Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding Veterans Day: "Like many of my colleagues, I plan to commemorate Veteran's Day with the people I'm honored to represent here in the Senate. I'll join Kentuckians at a ceremony in Shelbyville's Veteran's Memorial Park. "Hands will be put to heart as the Star Spangled Banner is played. Heads will bow in reverence as 106 names are read aloud. "Each, a Kentuckian who made t… Continue Reading
11.09.15
McConnell Welcomes Prime Minister Netanyahu to Washington
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor welcoming Prime Minister Netanyahu to Washington: "I'd like to welcome the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, to Washington, D.C. "Today's visit between President Obama and the Prime Minister was the first time the leaders of our two countries have met in over a year. It was also their first time meeting since President Obama concluded his deal with Iran. "We know that that… Continue Reading
11.05.15
McConnell Says Senate Will Revisit Blocked Defense Bill, Proceeds to Veterans Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding veterans and defense appropriations (as prepared for delivery): "Our colleagues across the aisle just voted to allow the Senate to proceed to an individual appropriations bill. "Proceeding to a funding bill shouldn't be breaking news. "But it is worth noting. "Because Democrats have repeatedly blocked the Senate from even debating any individual appropriations bills f… Continue Reading
11.05.15
Rising Costs, Broken Promises of Obamacare
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the failures of Obamacare: "I remember a recent time when President Obama tried to spin Americans on Obamacare. The best he could muster then was a condescending, cringe-inducing message that likely turned off more people than it converted. "He even said that Americans who already had health insurance, quote, 'may not know that they've got a better deal now [under Obamacare] t… Continue Reading
11.04.15
With Last Week’s Fiscal Agreement, Senate Democrats Are Out of Excuses to Block Defense Funding Bill
'It's time for the appropriations process to finally be allowed to move forward. That means it's time for the men and women who put everything on the line for us to finally receive the support they need to be safe. It's time for our troops to finally get the certainty they need to plan for training and operations.' WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding defense appropriations: "It's hard to think of a ti… Continue Reading
11.04.15
Senate Will Vote Today on Bill to Overturn Administration’s Indefensible Waterways Regulation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding Senator Ernst's resolution of disapproval on the 'Waters of the U.S.' rule: "The Administration's so-called 'Waters of the U.S.' regulation would grant federal bureaucrats dominion over nearly every piece of land that has ever touched a pothole, ditch, or puddle at some point. It would force the Americans who live there to ask federal bureaucrats for permission to do just abou… Continue Reading
11.03.15
McConnell Congratulates Senator Grassley on 12,000th Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today marking the 12,000th vote of Senator Grassley: "Last week, the Senate marked two milestones. "First, our colleague from Vermont cast vote number 15,000. "We all noted it at the time. "Then, our colleague from Iowa cast vote number 12,000. "That's what we'd like to note now. "It's true that Senator Grassley still has some catching up to do if he wants to overtake the Senator f… Continue Reading
11.03.15
McConnell on the Passing of Fred Thompson
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the passing of former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson: "There was never any doubt when our colleague from Tennessee was nearby. "Six feet six inches tall. "Deep, booming voice. "Magnetic personality that lit up any room he was in. "Fred Thompson may have been towered over the Senate in a very literal sense, but he was one of the most down-to-earth guys you'll ever meet. "He wa… Continue Reading
11.03.15
Senate to Consider Measure to Halt Administration’s Cynical Waterways Regulation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Federal Water Quality Protection Act: "Two federal courts have already found that the Obama Administration's plan to regulate the land around nearly every pothole and ditch is likely illegal. "It's hardly a surprise. "The Administration's so-called 'Waters of the U.S.' regulation is a cynical and overbearing power grab dressed awkwardly as some clean-water measure. "It's n… Continue Reading
11.02.15
Fiscal Agreement Directs Resources to Ensure Safety, Preparedness of American Troops
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the two-year fiscal agreement: "I said that the Senate would take up the fiscal agreement after the House acted, and we are. "This agreement isn't perfect. I share some concerns other colleagues have raised. But here's the bottom line. This is a fully-offset agreement that rejects tax hikes, secures long-term savings through entitlement reforms, and provides increased support… Continue Reading
10.29.15
Speaker Ryan: A Big Heart, Extraordinary Intellect
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor welcoming the election of Paul Ryan as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives: "When responsibility calls, it's usually not at a time of our choosing. The decision to answer is rarely easy or straightforward. "Paul Ryan knows this. "He spent his nights dreaming about tax policy, not the speakership. "But our country is fortunate he stepped up to lead. I know I'm gratef… Continue Reading
10.29.15
John Boehner: ‘Country and Institution Before Self’
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the retirement of House Speaker John Boehner: "There's a lot you can say about John Boehner. "He loves his breakfasts every morning at Pete's Diner. He's a fan of the tie dimple. He's one of the most genuine guys you'll meet. I know, because we've fought many battles together in the trenches." "He never breaks his word. He never buckles in a storm. And what's amazing is how … Continue Reading
