|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Sept 8, 2006 15:32:26 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Sept 13, 2006 15:30:12 GMT -5
Senator Mitch McConnell Comments On The Crash Of Comair Flight 5191Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks from the Senate floor on the crash of Comair Flight 5191: “It is difficult to put into words what the citizens of Kentucky are feeling. Nine days ago, tragedy struck the heart of our Commonwealth when Comair Flight 5191 crashed shortly after takeoff at Blue Grass Airport, in Lexington, Kentucky. Forty-nine people perished. “This single, devastating event is of course not one story but many. This crash has brought grief into scores of families and countless lives, all over Kentucky and beyond. Holes that cannot be filled have been created in places like Lexington. Georgetown. Somerset. London. Harrodsburg. Richmond. “Funeral services have been conducted across Kentucky over recent days, and I know I am joined by all Kentuckians in extending heartfelt sympathy for the families and loved ones of the victims. “After a catastrophe as great as the crash of Comair Flight 5191, sorrow can simply be overwhelming. Many people in my state are feeling that way right now. And the entire state is struggling for answers in the face of such an unexpected tragedy that is so unbearable. “Since the crash I have been learning, as many Kentuckians have, about the lives of the victims. Who they were and where they were going that day. “Four Kentuckians on the plane worked for Galls, a Lexington-based company that makes public safety equipment and apparel. Three of them were flying to New Orleans to help deliver new uniforms to New Orleans police officers after Hurricane Katrina. “Jonathan Hooker, 27, and Scarlett Parsley Hooker, 24, spent only hours together as husband and wife before they both boarded Flight 5191 to fly to California for their honeymoon. The Reverend Terry Gabbard married them the night before the flight in a beautiful evening ceremony in Lexington. One week later, he would speak at their funeral. “The deaths of these two newlyweds so soon after starting their lives together devastated many in their hometown of London, Kentucky. Jon had a lot of friends after attending London’s North Laurel High School, where he was a star athlete. “He went on to pitch for the University of Kentucky baseball team from 1997 to 2001, and then to work as a professional minor-league baseball player. In the last few months of his life, he helped others as a substance-abuse counselor. He liked to play golf, and worked with a youth baseball league in London. “Scarlett, his wife, was a 2004 graduate of Centre College, in Danville, Kentucky, and was attending the University of Kentucky to pursue a master’s degree in communication disorders. An avid swimmer, among the many friends she leaves behind are the members of a local London swim team she helped found: the Barracudas. “My friend Lee Todd, the president of the University of Kentucky, put it well when he said that this young couple “held all the promise that youth and love carry.” Because of the tragedy of Flight 5191, we will never get to see that promise fulfilled. “A promise was also snuffed out in Lexington at the same time—the promise of a father to a young son to watch him grow up. Clarence Wayne Fortney II, called C.W. by his friends and 34 years old, died in Flight 5191, leaving behind his wife Sarah and their 16-month-old son Calvin James. “C.W. was flying to Atlanta to report for work as a pilot for AirTran Airlines. “C.W. grew up in Stanton, Kentucky, and always wanted to be a pilot. Both his father and his grandfather were private pilots. When he was 5, his mother paid $35 for his first ride in a prop jet plane. C.W. realized his dream after graduating from Eastern Kentucky University with an aviation degree. “A kind man, during his and Sarah’s courtship, C.W. helped care for her father with terminal cancer. As a pilot, he received commendations from Federal Aviation Administration officials who flew on his plane. A few days before the crash, he and Sarah celebrated their eight-year wedding anniversary. “This past Sunday, at C.W.’s funeral, 300 mourners pinned on pairs of pilot’s wings. Mourners also got to see Mr. Lamb, a tiny stuffed lamb that C.W. bought for his wife on a whim about three years ago at an airport gift shop. Now, their toddler son Calvin James takes Mr. Lamb everywhere. “Sarah has said that as she raises Calvin James, she will be sure to teach him the words his father took as his motto: “In dreams and in love, there are no impossibilities.” We hope it is not impossible that one day, Calvin James will soar as high as his father did. “Last week’s crash also robbed the world of Patrick Smith, 58, of Lexington. Pat’s ultimate destination that morning was Gulfport, Mississippi. That was only a short distance for him. Because of his volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, Pat had traveled to Ghana, Sri Lanka, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Mexico, and India to build houses for those less fortunate than he. “Pat was a member of Habitat for Humanity International’s Board of Directors, as well as the board of his local Lexington chapter, and had served with the organization for more than 15 years. He excelled at organizing fellow volunteers from Kentucky and leading them in their humanitarian efforts. “Under his direction, 80 Kentucky volunteers constructed 26 houses in small fishing villages in southern India for people who had lost everything in the tsunami of 2004. “He also helped those closer to home. Pat’s final trip to Gulfport was to follow up on the work he had already done in seven trips to Mississippi before, for a project to build 13 houses on South Carolina Avenue to replace the ones that were washed away by Hurricane Katrina. “Pat’s wife, Jean, often accompanied him on his projects, although last Sunday on Flight 5191 Pat traveled alone. Pat had done so much good work for the organization that he was named Habitat’s volunteer of the year in 2003. Several of Pat’s volunteer projects were sponsored by his church, Cathedral of Christ the King. He worked as a partner at a Lexington industrial automation company, Versa Tech Automation. “Pat once stated very simply the reason he had dedicated so much of his time and efforts to volunteer work: “We have an obligation to help.” Now his wife, Jean, and their children and grandchildren will rely on the help of others as grief sets in. “I’m glad that newspapers all across Kentucky have printed details like these about the victims of the terrible crash of Comair Flight 5191. This way we can know not just how these people died, but also how they lived. “I’m also grateful that even in such dark times, the generosity and kindness of Kentucky continues to shine through. Local volunteers have been invaluable to the relief and recovery effort, and to the families that have been left behind to grieve. Volunteers from local chapters of the Salvation Army served as chaplains and grief counselors. They also served more than 1,000 meals and over 6,000 snacks and drinks to relief workers at the crash site. “The Bluegrass Chapter of the American Red Cross fielded dozens of volunteers, who helped arrange memorial services for the victims’ families. They also worked as grief counselors and provided meals. Both groups say they will stay as long as there are workers at the crash site. “Local businesses pitched in as well with food, and toys for kids like Calvin James Fortney and others who lost a parent. “The National Transportation Safety Board is currently conducting an investigation into the cause of this crash. I intend to do everything I can to ensure that investigation proceeds smoothly, and that all of the questions we have can be answered as thoroughly as possible. “Mr. President, I’ve only been able to talk about a few of the 49 souls that were lost on a Sunday morning. If there is no objection, I ask that the names of every person who died on Comair Flight 5191 be entered into the Record.” The preceding press release was from United States Senator Mitch McConnell.Mitch McConnel Homepage
|
|
|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Sept 20, 2006 5:31:23 GMT -5
Votes Against President’s Anti-Terror Proposal Would Be ‘Awkward’ To Explain, McConnell SaysSenate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell made the following statement Sunday regarding one of the most underreported aspects of the terrorist detainee story: “We have not heard much from our colleagues on the other side of the aisle yet, but I know they are going to want to participate in this debate. And we are going to want to hear from them. “For example, I imagine it would be awkward for many of my Democrat colleagues to go home and explain a vote to provide sensitive, classified information to terrorists, to shut down an intelligence program that we know has helped save lives, or to allow international courts to define the meaning of Common Article III—rather than the U.S. Congress—and put our troops at risk. “What we do know for sure, without question -- no ambiguity -- is that the current program works and has saved us from terrorist attacks and prevented us from being attacked again at home for over five years. The President needs tools to conduct these programs effectively to protect Americans at home. His proposal for terrorist detainees is one of those important tools. We do not all agree at this point, but we will have that discussion on the Senate floor.” The preceding press release was from United States Senator Mitch McConnell.Mitch McConnel Homepage
|
|
|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Sept 20, 2006 20:00:37 GMT -5
Bringing Terrorists To Justice ActNegotiations Continue, The Program Must As WellSenate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell made the following statement regarding progress on the Bringing Terrorists to Justice Act: “Since 9-11, our security forces have captured and interrogated known terrorist killers and extracted information on past and future attacks that has been critical to saving American lives. We need to remember there have been no terrorist attacks on our homeland since 9-11 and that is in part due to these interrogations. In light of the Hamdan decision, Congress must ensure that this program can continue. “While we continue to negotiate the specific language, it is important to note that the President and Congressional Republicans agree on the bottom line: that the terrorist interrogation program can go forward.” The preceding press release was from United States Senator Mitch McConnell.Mitch McConnel Homepage
|
|
|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Sept 21, 2006 15:36:41 GMT -5
Senate Takes ‘Important Step’ Forward On Border SecuritySecure Fence Act passes first hurdle by vote of 94-0; debate on the bill likely to continue through next weekSenate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell made the following statement regarding the Senate’s overwhelming vote to move forward on the Secure Fence Act of 2006: “This is an important step, but not the last step, in securing our borders. The tools in this legislation, coupled with the increased appropriations for border security, will have a real impact on our national security now. Over the past two years, we’ve added thousands of new Border Patrol agents, nearly 10,000 new detention beds and hundreds of miles of fencing along the border. While my hope is to pass a comprehensive immigration reform, this legislation will take us much closer to the operational control of our border that our homeland security requires and provide law enforcement with the tools they need to get the job done.” The preceding press release was from United States Senator Mitch McConnell.Mitch McConnel Homepage
|
|
|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Sept 22, 2006 15:27:25 GMT -5
America Is Safer As A Result Of The Detainee Interrogation ProgramSenate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell made the following statement regarding progress on the Bringing Terrorists to Justice Act: “I’m confident that we will be able to move the Bringing Terrorists to Justice Act through the Senate soon. Although details of the specific bill language are still being discussed, two things remain crystal clear. “First, this indispensable program that we are working so hard to maintain—the interrogation of high-value terror suspects—is and has been a remarkable success. Information extracted from these terrorists has been essential to preventing attacks and saving innocent lives here and around the world. “Second, the President’s bottom line is clear: The interrogation program that is stopping terrorists, preventing attacks and saving lives must be able to continue. “We need to resolve this matter, and soon, because America is safer as a result of the detainee interrogation program. We've got to have it to protect us here at home—and we're going to get it.” The preceding press release was from United States Senator Mitch McConnell.Mitch McConnel Homepage
|
|
|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Sept 23, 2006 18:44:37 GMT -5
Senator McConnell On The Investigation Of the Crash Of Comair Flight 5191Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks from the Senate floor on the investigation of the crash of Comair Flight 5191: “The people of Kentucky are still reeling from a terrible tragedy that struck less than one month ago. On August 27, Comair Flight 5191 crashed shortly after takeoff at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky. Forty-nine people perished. “Grief has descended on scores of families and into countless lives because of this devastating event. I know I am joined by all Kentuckians in extending sympathies and prayers to the families and loved ones of the victims. “As we continue to grieve, people throughout the Commonwealth are looking for answers. The National Transportation Safety Board has begun an investigation into the cause of this crash, and what recommendations can be made to improve future aviation safety. “I think we have an obligation to make sure their investigation proceeds smoothly and thoroughly and concludes in a timely manner, so that all of the questions can be answered as completely as possible. I’ve been personally briefed by the NTSB on the status of the investigation and intend to follow it very closely. “I spoke to the President about the crash, and he offered the entire state his prayers and is devoting the resources of the federal government towards the investigation. “I also expressed concerns to the Transportation Secretary nominee, Mary Peters. She is aware of our concerns and the need for a thorough investigation conducted in a timely manner. “She will have the opportunity to update the committee as well. We also need to hear what changes need to be made to our aviation system to prevent catastrophes in the future. “It’s impossible to overstate the sorrow that has draped over so many lives in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Most of the passengers of Flight 5191 were from my state, and in some parts of the state, it is rare not to know someone who knew one of the victims. “As Kentucky continues to heal, we will take a deep breath, refrain from jumping to conclusions, and finish a thorough and complete investigation. “Kentuckians have drawn together during this crisis to lend each other strength. I’m proud of the outpouring of aid and volunteerism that the residents of the Bluegrass State have shown their neighbors. Grief will be there for a long time to come. But sympathy and support will be there too.” The preceding press release was from United States Senator Mitch McConnell.Mitch McConnel Homepage
|
|
|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Sept 24, 2006 20:09:21 GMT -5
Critical National Security Program Will ContinueInterrogation of high-value detainees will continue providing intelligence, preventing terror attacks on the U.S.Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell made the following statement regarding progress on the Bringing Terrorists to Justice Act: “The President was very clear that any legislation on terrorist detainees must ensure that our intelligence-gathering interrogation program can continue. As the President said, this valuable program has saved innocent American lives and is preventing future terrorist attacks. The legislation we will soon consider on the Senate floor meets the President’s criteria. This is a big win in the continuing war on terror." The preceding press release was from United States Senator Mitch McConnell.Mitch McConnel Homepage
|
|
|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Sept 25, 2006 19:53:08 GMT -5
Alice S. Fisher Nomination To Assistant Attorney General Of The Criminal Division At The Department Of JusticeSenate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell released the following statement in support of Alice S. Fisher of Kentucky, who has been nominated to be the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division at the Department of Justice. “Alice Fisher is a battle-tested leader in the war on terror. She has impressively led at the Department of Justice where she has demonstrated her expertise, determination and integrity, and I look forward to her confirmation.” The preceding press release was from United States Senator Mitch McConnell.Mitch McConnel Homepage
|
|
|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Sept 25, 2006 20:05:02 GMT -5
Leaving Iraq To Terrorists Won’t Make U.S. More Secure"If, for example, Iraq becomes a failed state, it will go to the top of the list of places that are breeding grounds for attacks against Americans at home."9/11 Commission Report, Pg. 367 Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell made the following statement regarding the Democrat ‘hearing’ on Iraq: “The Democrat leadership, whose plan for Iraq is retreat, seems to forget what the 9/11 Commission made clear: if we leave Iraq before it is secure, it will become a breeding ground for attacks against Americans at home. “What you won’t hear at the Democrat event is where they stand on the Patriot Act, the Terrorist Surveillance Program, the CIA interrogation program and other tools that have successfully prevented attacks—tools which they have opposed and obstructed. “This ‘hearing’ is simply another partisan media event. And while it may rile up their liberal base, it won’t kill a single terrorist or prevent a single attack.” The preceding press release was from United States Senator Mitch McConnell.Mitch McConnel Homepage
|
|
|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Sept 27, 2006 15:55:41 GMT -5
McConnell Supports Legislation To Continue The Interrogation Of Captured TerroristsFive years after September 11, 2001, we have yet to be attacked again on American soil. In the days and weeks immediately following 9/11, almost no one believed this would be the case. Yet, for five years, we have successfully prevented the terrorists from launching another deadly attack on our shores. How is this possible? America’s decision to be aggressive in the War on Terror, and to take the fight to the terrorists where they live and operate instead of just playing defense here at home, stands as one clear reason. This aggressive stance in the War on Terror means more than committing troops abroad to hunt down terrorists. It also means taking every step available, within the law, to interrogate captured terrorists and learn as much from them as possible about their plans. Since America began fighting back in the War on Terror after September 11, 2001, many terrorist enemies have been captured in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. The interrogation of these masterminds of mass murder has directly led to saving American lives. President Bush has told us that the interrogation of captured terrorists “has helped us to take potential mass murderers off the streets before they were able to kill.” Terrorists in American custody have revealed Al Qaeda’s efforts to procure biological weapons. They’ve admitted to plots on American embassies overseas and American troops stationed abroad. And they have helped us to successfully capture key terrorist leaders who were responsible for hatching the 9/11 attacks. You might think that, with such a record of success, few would oppose our efforts to continue to legally interrogate captured terrorists as thoroughly as possible. Our procedures for interrogating these would-be killers are safe, lawful, respectful of the Constitution, and consistent with our obligations to international treaties, including the Geneva Conventions. But due to a recent Supreme Court decision, the legality of our interrogation efforts has been thrown into doubt. Unless Congress acts, the rules for interrogating and prosecuting terrorists will be unclear, and a terrorist could sue a U.S. citizen in an American court simply for doing his or her job. A recent Washington Post article even reported that CIA counterterrorist agents have been reduced to buying insurance to cover legal costs in case they are sued. That’s outrageous. The men and women who risk their lives to get crucial information and save American lives are heroes who ought to be thanked, not sued. The Senate is considering legislation that ensures there are clear guidelines so we can interrogate these plotters of destruction, as aggressively as necessary, to save lives while respecting our laws and treaty obligations. It also ensures that terrorists can’t sue government agents for doing their jobs, and that terrorists won’t have access to classified information that must be kept secret for security reasons when they go to trial. It can’t be disputed that for the last five years, the interrogation of captured terrorists, within the law, has yielded vital information to stop the followers of a twisted strain of radical Islam from killing again. Passing legislation so that our government keeps every tool available to continue the War on Terror is crucial. Imagine the loss of life and damage to our economy that would ensue if the terrorists hit us again as they did on 9/11—but this time, with a weapon of mass destruction. Good intelligence could make the difference between a foiled attempt and a successful one. Those who oppose America’s efforts to get as much life-saving information out of captured terrorists as we can ought to explain why they would rid the government of this effective tool. And they ought to do so fast. It’s time to stop debating and resume fighting the War on Terror. The preceding press release was from United States Senator Mitch McConnell.Mitch McConnel Homepage
|
|
|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Sept 28, 2006 16:36:27 GMT -5
NIE Makes Clear: Leaving Iraq Would Only Embolden TerroristsSenate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell made the following statement Tuesday regarding the recently declassified key judgments of the National Intelligence Estimate: “Whoever leaked this report forgot to mention a key finding of the intelligence community: If we defeat the terrorists in Iraq, there will be fewer terrorists inspired to carry on the fight. In other words, defeating terrorists in Iraq not only secures that new democracy, but prevents future attacks here at home. This is a dramatically different message than the selective leaks to the media. “It’s important to remember that terror attacks against the United States didn’t start the day our troops entered Baghdad, and they won’t end if we leave Iraq to the terrorists. Attacks here at home stopped when we started fighting al Qaeda where they live, rather than responding after they hit. ” The preceding press release was from United States Senator Mitch McConnell.Mitch McConnel Homepage
|
|
|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Sept 30, 2006 9:21:40 GMT -5
Senator McConnell Marks The 18th Anniversary Of The Burmese National League For DemocracySenate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell released the following statement marking the 18th anniversary of the founding of the Burmese National League for Democracy: “Mr. President, I rise today to mark an important milestone: the 18th anniversary of the founding of the Burmese National League for Democracy (NLD). As the world knows well, the NLD is the legitimate leadership of the country of Burma as the party was elected overwhelmingly by the Burmese people in 1990. “Sadly, the 18th anniversary for the NLD is not a time for rejoicing. The NLD remains firmly under the boot of the Burmese ruling junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). Many of its leaders are imprisoned, including Nobel Laureate and democracy advocate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD Vice Chairman U Tin Oo. Thirteen elected NLD members of parliament and over 400 party members currently serve in prison. Other NLD members have endured torture and have been killed as the SPDC continues to wage a campaign of harassment, intimidation—and worse—against party members and supporters. “In a testament to the courage and determination of its leadership, and despite these great hardships, the NLD remains unbowed. It continues to pursue non-violent political change in Burma. I am proud to say that the United States Senate stands squarely alongside the NLD in its efforts. I am hopeful that the United Nations (UN) Security Council will as well. Due to the determined efforts of many countries, including the United States, Burma is slated to be on the Council’s agenda for the first time ever. It will then be time for member states to stand up and be counted in support of a non-punitive resolution on Burma. “It should be noted that UN Under-Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambari’s trip to Rangoon earlier this year was a complete failure. Mr. Gambari should not make a second trip to Burma unless and until the UN Security Council has considered and passed a resolution that, among other things, details the threats the SPDC poses to the people of Burma and the entire region. Such action would be a clear message to the SPDC that when it comes to Burma, the world is not satisfied with the status quo. “Similarly, I would encourage all relevant bureaus at the State Department and the National Security Council—particularly those relating to African affairs—to remain engaged and focused on this issue. The task of promoting democracy and reconciliation in Burma should not be left only to the East Asian and Pacific Affairs and the Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor bureaus at the State Department. With three African nations currently sitting on the UN Security Council, our African affairs specialists need to more actively engage in building support for such a resolution. Ghana has already demonstrated its solidarity with the cause of freedom. The Republic of Congo and Tanzania need to follow suit. “Finally, on this, the 18th anniversary of the founding of NLD, I call upon the Burmese military regime to release Suu Kyi and all political prisoners. Only then can discussions on a meaningful reconciliation process – one that includes the full and unfettered participation of the NLD and ethnic minorities – proceed.” The preceding press release was from United States Senator Mitch McConnell.Mitch McConnel Homepage
|
|
|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Oct 1, 2006 21:24:04 GMT -5
Statement of Senator Mitch McConnell on the Military Commissions Act of 2006Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell released the following statement today on the Military Commissions Act of 2006: "I rise today in support of the Military Commissions Act of 2006. I support this legislation, first and foremost, because this bill recognizes that we are a nation at war. We are a nation at war and we are at war with Islamic extremists. We are not conducting a law enforcement operation against a check-writing scam or trying to foil a bank heist. We are at war against extremists who want to kill our citizens, cripple our economy and discredit the principles we hold dear – freedom and democracy. "Once you accept the premise that we are at war, the most important consideration should be, does this bill protect the American people? I submit that this bill does just that. It does so by permitting the President’s CIA Interrogation Program to continue. This is of profound importance. "If the attacks of September 11, 2001 taught us anything, it is that self-imposed limitations on our intelligence-gathering efforts can have devastating consequences. For instance, the wall of separation between the intelligence community and the law enforcement community that existed prior to 2001 proved to be an imposing hurdle to foiling the September 11th attacks. According to the report of the 9/11 Commission, in late summer 2001, the U.S. Government, in effect, conducted its search for 9/11 hijacker Khalid Mihdhar with one hand tied behind its back. As we all know, that search was unsuccessful. Comparable pre-9/11 efforts with respect to Zacarias Moussaoui were similarly frustrated in large part due to this wall. "Thankfully, with the Patriot Act, we removed this wall of separation, and now the intelligence and law enforcement arms of our government can share information and more effectively protect us here at home. "Another lesson of September 11 was the premium that should be placed on human intelligence. Prior to September 11, we were woefully deficient in our human intelligence regarding al Qaeda. Al Qaeda is an extremely difficult organization to infiltrate. You can’t just pay dues and become a member. But, interrogation offers a rare and valuable opportunity to gather vital intelligence about al Qaeda’s capabilities and plans before they attack us. "The CIA Interrogation Program provided crucial human intelligence that has saved American lives by helping to prevent new attacks. As the President has explained, 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed told the CIA about planned attacks on U.S. buildings in which al Qaeda members were under orders to set off explosives high enough in the building so the victims could not escape through the windows. "As the President also noted, the program has also yielded human intelligence regarding al Qaeda’s efforts to obtain biological weapons such as anthrax. And it has helped lead to the capture of key al Qaeda figures, such as KSM and his accomplice, Ramzi bin al Shibh. "Another means of evaluating the importance of this program is by considering a grim hypothetical. What if al Qaeda or other terrorists organizations were able to get their hands on nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and were trying to attack a major U.S. city? Thousands or even millions of lives could be at stake. Under such a chilling scenario, wouldn’t we want our intelligence community to have all possible tools at its disposal? Would we want our intelligence community to respond with one hand tied behind its back as it did before September 11? "Unfortunately, that threat is all too real. The potential for al Qaeda to attack a U.S. city with a device that could kill millions of people reflects how vital it is to permit the intelligence community to make full use of the tools it needs to continue protecting American lives. The compromise bill preserves this crucial intelligence-gathering tool, and allows the CIA and others on the front lines to continue protecting America. "In addition, this bill protects classified information from being released to al Qaeda terrorists. This also is a serious concern. The identities of U.S. intelligence officials and informants – men and women who put their lives at risk to defend this nation – must be protected at all costs. "If we needed any reminding why terrorists should not be given sensitive information, we should just look at the prosecution of the 1993 World Trade Center bombers. According to the man who prosecuted these Islamic extremists, intelligence from U.S. government files was supplied to the defendants through the discovery process. "This information was later delivered directly to Osama bin Laden while he was living in Sudan. Let me repeat that. Information given to the jihadist defendants, individuals who tried to destroy the World Trade Center in 1993, was later given directly to bin Laden himself. "Since we are at war we should not be revealing classified information to the enemy. That is just common sense. This bill protects classified information. "Finally, while this bill preserves our ability to continue to protect America, it also provides detainees with fair procedural rights. "In fact, this legislation provides broader protections for defendants than did Nuremberg. Liberal law professor Cass Sunstein has written that the military commissions authorized by the President in 2001 “provide far greater procedural safeguards than any previous military commission, including Nuremberg.” Let me say that again: liberal law professor Cass Sunstein noted that the President’s 2001 military order provided far greater procedural safeguards than any previous military commission, including Nuremberg. And in this legislation, we provide defendants with even broader procedural safeguards than the President’s 2001 military order. "This system is exceedingly fair since al Qaeda in no way follows the Geneva Convention or any other international norm. Al Qaeda respects no law, no authority, no legitimacy but that of its own twisted strain of radical Islam. "Al Qaeda grants no procedural rights to Americans they capture. Look at journalist Daniel Pearl, who was beheaded by al Qaeda in Pakistan in 2002. Al Qaeda simply executes those they capture, even civilians like Pearl. Not only do they unapologetically kill innocent civilians, they broadcast these brutal executions on the internet for all to see. "I would just conclude by stating that this legislation is vitally important. It is vitally important because it is wartime legislation. It is vitally important because this bill protects our national security, it protects classified information and it protects the rights of defendants. Most important, it protects America. For these reasons I urge its passage." The preceding press release was from United States Senator Mitch McConnell.Mitch McConnel Homepage
|
|
|
Post by Mitch McConnell on Oct 4, 2006 11:39:33 GMT -5
Senate Clears Critical National Security ProgramInterrogation of high-value detainees will continue providing intelligence, prevent terror attacks on the U.S.Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell made the following statement Thursday regarding Senate passage of the Military Commissions Act: “Passage of this legislation ensures that a critical component of our national security efforts can continue. This legislation recognizes that we are a nation at war. We are not conducting a law enforcement operation against a check-writing scam or trying to foil a bank heist. We are at war against extremists who want to kill our citizens, cripple our economy and discredit the principles we hold dear – freedom and democracy. Al Qaeda respects no law, no authority, no legitimacy but that of its own twisted strain of radical Islam. “This is wartime legislation. Armed with these tools, the President will be able to continue the terrorist interrogation program that we know has saved innocent American lives. The tribunal system codified in this legislation protects our troops, protects classified information and protects the rights of defendants. And most important, it protects America. Interrogation of high-value detainees will continue providing intelligence and helping to prevent terror attacks on the U.S.” The preceding press release was from United States Senator Mitch McConnell.Mitch McConnel Homepage
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Jun 6, 2011 15:49:09 GMT -5
Warning Signs Are Clear and Urgent Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Monday regarding the nation’s fiscal crisis: “As senators return to Washington this week, we do so amid a crush of troubling news about the economy. “In the past week alone, we have learned that home values across the country are still falling at a time when about one out of five homeowners already owe more on their homes than those homes are worth. “Sales of American made cars are down dramatically. Manufacturers are showing the weakest growth in nearly two years. And there is deep pessimism about the prospects of a recovery anytime soon. “So while some in Washington have sought to paper over our economic problems, or offer weak assurances that a recovery is right around the corner, millions of Americans continue to suffer — with no end in sight. And very few people are confident that things will turn around anytime soon. “It’s no secret why. For two and a half years, Democrats in Washington have paid lip service to the idea of job creation while pursuing an agenda that is radically opposed to it. And the results speak for themselves. “They told us that if we borrowed a trillion dollars and spent it, unemployment wouldn’t rise above 8 percent. Two and a half years later, unemployment is hovering above nine percent, higher than when the Stimulus was signed. “They told us that if we spent trillions on a new health care entitlement we’d see health care costs go down. A year later, health care costs are expected to go up. “They told us that if we spent money we didn’t have on things like cash for clunkers, turtle tunnels, solar panels and windmills — in other words, on more government — the recovery would take care of itself. “And where has it gotten us: Well, last week, a second rating agency threatened that if we don’t get our fiscal house in order in a matter of weeks, America’s stellar rating runs a serious risk of being downgraded. “This is uncharted territory. “The warning signs are clear and urgent. “Something must be done. “The first step is to recognize how we got here. That’s the easy part. The government-driven policies of the last two and a half years have clearly been a failure. “The next step is getting Democrats in Washington to admit it. And that’s the hard part. If the last few weeks have shown us anything, it’s that Democrats in Washington are in a deep state of denial. “We’ve seen their approach to all the warnings. “As signs of an economic catastrophe have gathered, Republicans have offered concrete proposals for creating jobs and growing the economy. We’ve offered multiple concrete budget proposals. We’ve offered specific plans for reining in the crushing cost of entitlements — and for preserving them. “Democrats have offered a thirty-second campaign ad of someone pushing a grandmother off a cliff. “As ratings agencies have sent up smoke signals about the catastrophic consequences of a potential default, Republicans have proposed plans that would rein in our deficits and debt and send a clear signal to taxpayers and the world that lawmakers in Washington have the will to live within our means. “Democrats rushed to the White House and demanded that the President raise taxes. These past weeks should have been a wake-up call for Democrats. They sent it through to voicemail. More concerned about an election that’s nearly two years away, Democrats have ignored every warning. “Americans look at all this and ask themselves a simple question: when will these guys get serious? “Every light on the control panel is flashing red. Yet amid all the bad news this past Friday, the President heads out to Toledo to pat himself on the back for an auto bailout that’s expected to cost taxpayers tens of billions of dollars. “Nearly 14 million Americans are looking for jobs and can’t find them. Yet the President — who acknowledges that free trade agreements will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs — is now suddenly holding them hostage in exchange for even more spending. “American businesses want to expand and hire. Yet the White House is weighing them down with mountains of new regulations and costs, health care mandates, taxes, and conflicting signals about the future. “American energy producers want to tap into our own resources. Yet the administration is blocking them at every turn. “One of our nation’s biggest and proudest manufacturers wants to build a new factory that would employ thousands and solidify its reputation as an industry leader in the world. Yet the Administration is standing in the way in order to help their union allies. Since when do businesses have to ask the President’s permission to create jobs? “Most people know that when it comes to politicians, you should pay more attention to what they do than what they say. Never was this truer than when it comes to Democrats in Washington today. “Just consider this: three years ago, my good friend the Majority Leader issued a press release blasting the Bush Administration on its approach to unemployment and debt. He called these figures, `A casualty of the Administration’s failed economic policies and a shameful legacy of the policies of the previous eight years.’ “At the time, unemployment was 5%, the national debt stood at $9.2 trillion. “Today, with unemployment above 9% and the debt at more than $14 trillion, Democrats are silent. They have no plan. No proposals. No urgency. They run the White House and the Senate. “And yet their entire approach is to sit back and wait. No budget, no plans; just wait for the next election. Let Republicans offer solutions — and then attack them — and pretend you care about jobs. That’s the game plan. “Here’s the problem: “Unless you’re a political consultant or just standing around waiting for a bailout, their plan won’t do anything to create a single new job. And it won’t do anything to address the crisis we know is coming. “There is no excuse for inaction. “And that’s why Republicans refuse to sit back and wait. “Until these crises are met, until we see more jobs being created, until the American people begin to regain their confidence in this economy, then we’ll be out there — proposing solutions, coming up with answers, making our case. “And we’ll keep at it until our Democrat friends finally start to focus on the battle for America’s future instead of the battle over next year’s election.”
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Jun 7, 2011 13:18:01 GMT -5
McConnell Calls on President to Submit Pending Trade Agreements Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release[/i] Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday calling on the President to submit the three pending trade agreements that he acknowledges will create tens of thousands of jobs. “Yesterday I came to the floor to call on Democrats in Washington to wake up, to open their eyes to the signs we see all around us that the policies of the past two years are making our economy worse. “Home values are still falling. Manufacturers are showing the weakest growth in nearly two years. Nearly 14 million Americans are looking for jobs and can’t find them. For many, there’s a nagging feeling that things will actually get worse before they get better. “And who can blame them? “Over the past two months, two ratings agencies have come out with dire warnings over the status of America’s stellar credit ratings out of fear that we don’t get our fiscal house in order. “One has already put our rating under review and the other has threatened to do so if we don't do something in a matter of weeks — weeks. Yet Democrats here in Washington are doing nothing. “The President is patting himself on the back for an auto bailout that’s expected to cost the taxpayers billions. And Democrats in Congress would rather talk about an election that’s a year and half away. “For two and a half years, Democrats in Washington have paid lip service to the idea of job creation — even as they’ve relentlessly pursued an agenda that is radically opposed to it. And the results speak for themselves: “An annual deficit three times bigger than the biggest deficit we ever ran during the last administration, a national debt that we now know will be greater this year than our nation’s entire economy and chronic unemployment. “But here’s the other problem: Democrats don’t want to admit that the government-driven policies of the past two and a half years are part of the problem. And until they do, nothing will change. Unless Democrats change their priorities and their policies, the threats of a downgrade won’t go away. The debt won’t get any smaller. Businesses won’t create the kind of jobs we need to build prosperity. “We need to change course. And a good place to start is with trade. “The President himself has explicitly acknowledged in front of the cameras that free trade agreements will create tens of thousands of jobs for American families who need them. Yet now, the President’s advisors say that the White House plans to hold off on this bipartisan job-creating initiative unless it can spend more money on a government benefits program first. “At a time when 14 million Americans are looking for work, they actually want to hold off on these known job-creating agreements in exchange for a green light to spend more money. “It’s astonishing. I mean, how do you explain to an American manufacturer or farmer that they have to lose business to France because some members of Congress want a better benefits package for their allies in organized labor? “You can’t. “The White House is free to advocate on behalf of unions. That’s its’ prerogative. But this time it’s gone too far. “When the White House is actively depriving others of jobs because some union boss isn’t getting his way, it’s lost touch. “So this morning I’m calling on the administration once again to send us the three pending trade agreements that the President himself has said would create tens of thousands of American jobs — and to leave Trade Adjustment Assistance out of it. “There are 47 duplicative federal retraining programs out there for unemployed workers. No one is denying or minimizing the hardships they face. But we will not allow the White House to deny one group of people the chance to get a job in order to have a bargaining chip in negotiating benefits for others. “It’s not fair, and it’s not right. “We need to separate these issues, deal with them independently, and move ahead with these trade deals. “And we should also be doing even more to create jobs by moving forward with something that’s been a cornerstone of good trade policy in this country since 1974. “I’m talking about Trade Promotion Authority. “If the President is really serious about doubling U.S. exports and creating the jobs that would go along with it, he should call on Congress to approve Trade Promotion Authority and Congress should do it. “I would also suggest that any discussion of Trade Adjustment Assistance only be done as part of the debate over extending Trade Promotion Authority, the way it’s been done for decades. “Trade Promotion Authority would give the President the ability to negotiate job-creating trade deals — and allow them an expedited procedure to get an up-or-down vote in Congress so that opponents couldn’t block the deals or amend them on behalf of parochial interests or as a short-sighted favor to their union allies. “Without the protections afforded by Trade Promotion Authority, Congress may never consider another trade deal again, and there will be no more trade agenda. “American businesses want to expand and hire. Here’s one way to help them do it that’s right in front of us. “There is no excuse for inaction.”
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Jun 8, 2011 19:31:42 GMT -5
Administration Energy Policies Discourage Job Growth, Hinder Recovery Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release[/i] Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday regarding the need for the Obama administration to act now to reverse job-stifling policies: “Yesterday and the day before I came to the floor and noted the many troubling signs of a persistently weak economy, and how I believe the actions of Democrats in Washington are seriously undermining the recovery that Americans desperately want. And I’ve proposed some things that could be done about it right now. The President says he wakes up every morning asking himself what he can do to create jobs and help businesses succeed. “So I’ve offered a couple suggestions. “It’s not that difficult, really. I’m sure the job creators and the workers the President meets with are telling him the same thing that they tell me every day. Most people think Washington is too intrusive, that it imposes too many job-stifling regulations and sends too many mixed signals today for anybody to plan for tomorrow. We know that many who could hire right now are holding back because they don’t know what else to expect in terms of regulations, taxes, mandates, and fees. Just yesterday, in fact, we learned that a significant percentage of businesses plan to drop their employee health coverage, something the administration assured us repeatedly people didn’t have to fear. Unexpected jolts like these are causing confusion, and anxiety, and they’re freezing job creators and entrepreneurs in place. “Beyond that, many Americans are also seriously concerned about a government in Washington that spends trillions more than it takes in and a national debt that this year will exceed our entire national economy. And many people are also understandably outraged by the fact that the party that occupies the White House and runs the Senate hasn’t even taken the time to put together a budget or any other kind of plan to get our nation’s fiscal house in order. After all, if the government doesn’t plan ahead, how can job creators? If the White House doesn’t have a plan to pay down the debt or preserve entitlements, why should people have any confidence something will be done? “None of this is news to the President or Democrats in Congress. The fact is, the President and Democrats in Congress know as well as I do what employers and workers need to prosper and to create prosperity and jobs. They just don’t seem to want to do it. “And, to be blunt, people wonder whether the President is really focused on jobs when so many of his policies seem aimed at destroying them, and when there’s so much he could do right now to create tens of thousands of good, American jobs. “Yesterday I spoke about trade, and how even though the President admits that pending trade agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia have the potential to create tens of thousands of new jobs and boost American businesses, he refuses to move on them in an apparent favor to his union allies. “This morning I’d like to focus on the two sides of the President’s energy policy, in which he publicly claims to support greater domestic production and the jobs that come with it even as he seems to do everything he can behind the scenes to block production and to kill energy-related jobs here at home. “The President says he’s a proponent of domestic energy production, but let’s be honest: he hasn’t shown it. And this shouldn’t surprise anyone. This is an administration, after all, that appointed an Energy Secretary who said a month after the President’s election that, `somehow we need to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe.’ Since then, the administration’s policies have helped get us there. Not only have gas prices skyrocketed, but the administration’s policies are also hindering the creation of thousands of good, private-sector jobs that so many Americans desperately need. “Let’s look at just a couple. “Everyone knows that in the aftermath of the oil spill in the Gulf last year, the President imposed a six-month moratorium on new deepwater drilling. We can dispute the wisdom of a temporary ban for purposes of a safety and environmental review. What we cannot dispute is that the impact on jobs and the nation’s economy has been severe. “Nor can we deny that the White House has effectively continued that ban even after its time was up and the review was complete. It was only after the courts got involved and months of political pressure from Democrats and Republicans that the administration reluctantly began issuing new permits months after the ban was supposedly lifted. And even as gas prices hover around $4 dollars a gallon, permitting is still well below pre-spill levels and energy production in the Gulf is expected to slow. “Senator Vitter tells us that the administration’s anemic permitting in the Gulf for domestic energy production threatens nearly 100,000 jobs every year — in addition to the many thousands of jobs that could be lost every year in industries that are related or dependent on energy. He has also told us about one estimate suggesting that 23 wells per month are needed just to maintain current production levels in the shallow waters of the Gulf, and that even after the moratorium was supposedly lifted, the administration has averaged fewer than two per month. As for deepwater drilling, the administration has issued a grand total of 2 new deepwater permits. The other 13 have been for work that was already permitted prior to the moratorium. “The administration’s lack of support for energy production in deep water has led to five rigs simply pulling up stakes over the past year and moving their tax dollars and their workers elsewhere. This is just one of the ways the administration is holding back job creation in the energy industry. “This is to say nothing of the administration’s actions with respect to Alaska’s Outer Continental Shelf, which, according to one estimate, could create an average of 54,700 new jobs annually for decades, adding billions in pay — and tax revenue. “And let’s not forget that the administration’s impact would be even worse if it had had its way and raised taxes on energy producers, which would have only served to strengthen foreign competitors, raised gas prices even more, put energy independence further out of reach, and killed more American jobs. By one estimate, the energy tax Democrats still want to impose on energy producers could cost 154,000 jobs and $68 billion in lost wages. “For two and a half years, Democrats in Washington have paid lip service to the idea of job creation — even as they’ve pursued an agenda that is radically opposed to it. We can see this when it comes to trade, as I indicated yesterday, and we can see this when it comes to energy, as I’ve indicated this morning. “Unless Democrats change their priorities and their policies, the threats of a downgrade won’t go away. The debt won’t get any smaller. And businesses won’t create the kind of jobs Americans need. The President can talk all he wants about the economy. But it’s time he starts looking at the impact of his own policies. “We need to change course. And a good place to start is with trade — and with energy. American businesses want to expand and hire. Here are two areas where we could help them do it right now.”
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Jun 28, 2011 13:26:15 GMT -5
Sen. McConnell: Cut spending, don't add more stimulus Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
By Mitch McConnell, Special to CNN
Washington (CNN) -- Later today, I will sit down with President Barack Obama to discuss his request to increase the nation's debt ceiling, and I will make a request of my own: What, Mr. President, are you prepared to do about the massive deficits and debt that have grown dramatically on your watch? What Republicans want is simple: We want to cut spending now, we want to cap runaway spending in the future and we want to save our entitlements and our country from bankruptcy by requiring the nation to balance its budget. We want to finally get our economy growing again at a pace that will lead to significant job growth. The Democrats' response has been a mystifying call for more stimulus spending and huge tax hikes on American job creators. That's not serious, and it is my hope that the president will take those off the table today so that we can have a serious discussion about our country's economic future. The president claimed last week at a New York fundraiser that he is prepared to bring down the nation's staggeringly high deficit and debt by trillions of dollars, but rather than provide any details, he only listed the things he refuses to cut. This is a problem I hope to raise with him today. At some point, Democrats need to realize that the reason our nation's debt has skyrocketed 35% over the past two years is that government spending is out of control. America does not face a debt crisis because we tax too little, but because Washington spends too much. And tax hikes can't pass the Congress. Not only is there bipartisan opposition, the consequences of massive new tax hikes would be fewer jobs. The president spoke in his weekly address Saturday about wanting to help manufacturers create jobs. But we know that raising taxes on these same manufacturers, particularly in this economy, will have the opposite effect. The obvious solution is for Washington to make the kind of tough choices in its own budget that millions of Americans have been forced to impose on themselves over the past two years. Yet President Obama and his allies in Congress remain unwilling to concede the point. Once they get their hands on taxpayer dollars, they seem incapable of letting go. The $830 billion stimulus bill is just one example. When Democrats passed it, they made two predictions: first, that it would keep unemployment below 8%, and second, that it was a one-time cash infusion meant to prevent a wider crisis. Two years later, unemployment hovers above 9%, and Democrats now demand that we add new stimulus funding. Their commitment to spending and tax hikes is so deeply held, it seems, that they don't even recognize what terrible shape our economy is in and the fact that tax and spend policies of the past two years have made it worse. Nor do they seem to recognize that the voters are asking for a different approach. Americans didn't elect dozens of additional Republicans to the House of Representatives last November because they wanted their taxes raised. They sent them here to reverse the runaway spending policies that failed. Since the day the stimulus was signed, Washington has added $3.5 trillion to the national debt and roughly 2 million Americans have lost their jobs. More recently, a slew of troubling economic indicators and dire warnings from credit agencies about the dangers of our debt show that the time for serious action is now. We have seen the consequences of giving Washington a blank check -- and we think it's time Washington make some of the hard choices that the average American has made over the past two and a half years. Editor's note: Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is the Republican leader in the U.S. Senate.
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Jul 10, 2011 8:25:54 GMT -5
Solutions on Debt and Jobs Crisis Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Mitch McConnell
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement Thursday regarding a vote on a non-binding resolution and Republican proposals to amend it will real solutions: “Later this morning, we’ll have a vote on whether to proceed to a non-binding resolution on whether or not we should raise taxes at a time when 14 million Americans are out of work. I oppose this resolution. “But I will vote to move to it so that we can finally have a real debate about the economic crisis we face. That’s what we were supposed to be doing this week. That’s what we’ll do. This is an important debate to have as discussions continue over at the White House this morning in connection with the President’s request to raise the debt ceiling. “Americans want to know where their elected representatives stand on these issues. Today we’ll all have an opportunity to show them where we stand on entitlement reform. Where we stand on government spending. Where we stand on balancing the budget. “And where we stand on our unsustainable deficits and debt. For too long, Democrats have tried to evade these questions. It’s been 799 days since they’ve passed a budget. They’ve presented no plan to reduce our debt. “So today is an opportunity to offer real ideas for addressing our debt and job crisis. To make our positions clear. And for our part, Republicans intend to offer more than a vague, non-binding resolution.”
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Jul 28, 2011 17:07:48 GMT -5
Senate Democrats Should Join Republicans to Avoid Default Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press ReleaseMitch McConnell
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement on the Senate floor Thursday regarding the House bill that will prevent default and reduce Washington spending: “The clock is ticking. “In just a few days, the U.S. government will no longer have the ability to borrow money to pay its bills — a situation that the President and his advisors have said would trigger an economic Armageddon. “So I was shocked last night when 53 Senate Democrats issued a letter saying that they intend to vote against the only piece of legislation that has any chance of preventing all this from happening. “Even more shocking is the fact that Democrat leaders and the President himself have endorsed every feature of this legislation except one: and that’s the fact that it doesn’t allow the President to avoid another national debate about spending and debt until after the next Presidential election. “This assurance is the only thing the President and Senate Democrats are holding out for right now. “The Democrats can try to justify their opposition to the House bill any way they want. They can claim they’re worried about a stalemate six months from now. They can ignore the fact that of the 31 times Congress and the President have raised the debt limit over the past 25 years, 22 of those debt limit increases lasted less than a year. “Why? “To make the President’s reelection campaign a little bit easier. “Now, it’s inconceivable to me that the President would actually follow through on this threat. After all, the President’s first responsibility is to do what’s best for the country, not his reelection campaign. Same goes for the Senate Democrats. “It’s inconceivable to me that they would actually block the only bill that could get through the House of Representatives and prevent a default right now. It’s inconceivable to me that they would do this for no other reason than to help the President avoid another debate before the election about the need for Washington to get its fiscal house in order. “But that’s precisely what we may be headed for this weekend: guaranteed default, or a bill that takes the specter of a default off the table while giving us another opportunity to address the very deficits and debts that caused this crisis in the first place. “Democrats are playing with fire here, and it’s hard to conclude that they’re doing it for any other reason than politics. “So I would urge Senate Democrats this morning to rethink their position, and to join Republicans in preventing default.”
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Jul 29, 2011 14:38:33 GMT -5
Lawmakers Should be Working On a Solution to This Crisis, Not a Blocking Strategy Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press ReleaseMitch McConnell
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement on the Senate floor Friday regarding efforts to prevent default and reduce Washington spending: “Let me just explain what’s been going on in Congress this week. “The American people have been waiting on us to do something to prevent default. They want us to end this crisis now. And over in the House of Representatives, you’ve got the Speaker of the House doing his job. Speaker Boehner’s been doing the hard work of governing, working day and night to put together a bill that can actually pass the House of Representatives and end this crisis now. And he should be commended for his efforts. “And what about here in the Senate? Well the contrast couldn’t be starker. Rather than working these last few days towards a solution to this crisis the way the Republican Majority in the House has, the Democratic Majority here in the Senate has been wasting precious time rounding up `no’ votes to keep this crisis alive. Rather than being responsible and doing their duty and come up with a bill that can pass, they’ve been busy signing people up for the `not good enough’ caucus and ginning up opposition to everything else. “Lawmakers should be working a solution to this crisis, not a blocking strategy. Our Democrat friends here in the Senate have offered no solutions to this crisis that could pass either chamber. Not one. Instead, all day long yesterday, we got chest-thumping comments about how they’re going to kill any piece of legislation that comes over here from the House, that it’s dead on arrival. “Democrats are out bragging about how they’re going to prolong this crisis instead of doing the hard work of trying to solve it. “And that includes the President. “Look: If the President hadn’t decided to blow up the bipartisan solution that members of Congress worked so hard to produce last weekend, we’d be voting to end this crisis today. “Instead, Democrats in Congress are still talking about blocking a solution to this crisis. And the President’s rolling out new mileage standards. “How about this: how about a plan from Democrats in Washington that can pass both chambers, prevent this crisis and protect Americans from a worsening economy? “I would suggest to my friends on the other side this morning that they start taking their responsibilities as a majority party a little more seriously, because at this point, the only people who are disregarding the consequences of default are Senate Democrats — not the Republicans in the House — but them. “Republicans have been doing the hard work of governing this week. It’s about time Democrats join us.”
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Aug 10, 2011 16:25:00 GMT -5
McConnell Appoints Kyl, Toomey, Portman, to Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press ReleaseMitch McConnell
LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Wednesday announced his appointments to the 12-member Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction tasked with reducing the deficit by $1.5 trillion more than the cuts already identified in the Budget Control Act. McConnell appointed Sens. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio). “Chronic joblessness, out-of-control deficits and debt, and an unprecedented credit downgrade represent an historic challenge but also an historic opportunity for lawmakers in Washington to show they can work together on a plan that puts America back on the path to prosperity. All three of these appointees understand the gravity of our situation and all three will bring the kind of responsibility, creativity, and thoughtfulness that the moment requires. The American people know that we cannot dig ourselves out of this situation by nibbling around the edges, and I am confident that each of these nominees can be counted on to propose solutions that put the interests of all Americans ahead of any one political party.” The bipartisan, bicameral select committee is a central part of the new Budget Control Act and is tasked with reducing the deficit by at least $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years. The 12-member committee is equally divided among Senate Republicans, Senate Democrats, House Republicans and House Democrats. The panel must vote on legislation by November 23. Legislation reported from the committee will receive expedited consideration in both chambers and be voted on by December 23. If the committee produces legislation that achieves $1.2 trillion or greater in savings and that legislation is enacted into law, the President would then have the authority to request a debt limit increase of an equal amount (subject to disapproval & veto), capped at $1.5 trillion. Should the committee fail to agree on legislation, or if that legislation is not passed and signed into law by the President, a sequester mechanism would trigger automatic cuts. However, the sequester was designed by both parties to create a strong incentive for the committee to succeed. Depending on the deficit reduction enacted by the Joint Committee, the total debt limit increase could be at least $2.1 trillion but not more than $2.4 trillion. “My main criteria for selecting members was to identify serious, constructive senators who are interested in achieving a result that helps to get our nation’s fiscal house in order,” McConnell said. “That means reforming entitlement programs that are the biggest drivers of our debt, and reforming the tax code in a way that makes us more competitive and leads to more American jobs. The goal is to achieve a result that convinces Americans and the world that we’re committed as a nation to prosperity for all our citizens.” Sen. Jon Kyl was elected unanimously by his colleagues in 2008 to serve as Republican Whip, the second highest position in Senate Republican leadership. He is a senior member of the Finance Committee and a leading advocate of pro-growth tax policies. Kyl is in his third term in the Senate after serving four terms in the House of Representatives. He was the Senate Republicans’ lead negotiator in the deficit reduction talks led by the Vice President over the summer. Sen. Pat Toomey is a member of the Budget, Banking, Commerce and Joint Economic Committees and has been a leader on economic, financial services, and budgetary issues. Toomey is in his first term in the Senate after serving three terms in the House of Representatives. Sen. Toomey has run a small business and served as the president of The Club for Growth. Sen. Rob Portman will be the only former Director of the Office of Management and Budget on the Joint Committee. He is a member of the Budget Committee and serves on the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management (Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee). Sen. Portman is in his first term in the Senate. He served in the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2005 when he became the U.S. Trade Representative. While serving in the House of Representatives, he served as Vice Chair of the House Budget Committee and as a member of the House Ways & Means Committee. In 1997, Portman co-chaired the National Commission on Restructuring the Internal Revenue Service with Senator Bob Kerrey of Nebraska.
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Aug 12, 2011 18:02:51 GMT -5
McConnell Welcomes 11th Circuit Ruling on Unconstitutional Washington Health Mandate Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press ReleaseLOUISVILLE – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement Friday regarding the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on the individual mandate in the health spending law: “Like countless other Americans, I welcome the 11th Circuit's ruling against the individual mandate. Forcing Americans to buy health insurance approved by the government was an unprecedented, unwelcome, and unconstitutional expansion of federal power, and today's decision only strengthens and adds more momentum to the efforts of those of us who are working to repeal it. Congress should repeal this costly and burdensome law and replace it with the kind of commonsense reforms Americans really want.” Background: U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and 43 of his colleagues filed an amicus brief May 11th, 2011 with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of the bipartisan, multi-state challenge to the Democrats’ health spending law. The filing followed a letter that Senator McConnell wrote to his colleagues, encouraging them to sign the brief. The brief is attached and excerpts from the letter are below. Excerpts From Senator McConnell’s Letter To His Colleagues: “Last November, Americans cast votes reflecting what they had been telling Washington for many months: they oppose a 2,700 page health care law that dramatically increases spending and expands the reach of the federal government into their health care decisions. While I firmly believe that we should repeal the law and replace it with the types of commonsense reforms Americans support, I also strongly support the efforts of the majority of states that have now challenged the law in the courts. “The attached brief essentially makes two key points. First it asserts that the Individual Mandate in the PPACA is an unprecedented and unauthorized exercise by the Congress of its authority to ‘regulate Commerce… among the several States…’ U.S. Const. art. I, § 8, cl. 3. For the first time, the Congress is not regulating an economic activity in which its citizens have chosen to engage, but rather is mandating that they engage in economic activity – that they purchase a particular product – to begin with; moreover, it would allow the federal government to punish those who make a different choice. Second, the brief argues that if the individual mandate is deemed constitutional, there will no longer be any meaningful limit on Congress’s power to regulate its citizens under the Commerce Clause. Congress’s specific power under that clause will be transformed into a general police power, all but eliminating the constitutional distinction between federal and state regulatory authority in our federal union.”
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Aug 16, 2011 16:07:43 GMT -5
McConnell Calls on President to Send Pending Trade Agreements to Congress Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press ReleaseMitch McConnell
LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement today regarding the need for the President to finally send the pending free trade agreements to Congress: “The President’s recent calls for Congress to pass the pending trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama—despite the opposition from so many in his own party—is an encouraging sign for economic opportunity here at home. Expanding trade with these allies will create jobs and opportunities but they have been delayed since the President came to office. At a time when millions of Americans are out of work and businesses are looking for opportunities to hire, we must do everything we can to create an environment where jobs can come back. So it is my hope that the President, who continues to refuse to send these agreements to Congress while simultaneously calling for Congress to act, will finally resolve this contradiction by sending the agreements immediately—and that he’ll work with us on the extension of Trade Promotion Authority so that we can continue to expand opportunities for American entrepreneurs and our farmers and ranchers.”
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Sept 2, 2011 15:42:55 GMT -5
McConnell on the President’s Decision to Withdraw Job-Killing Regulations Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release Mitch McConnell
Louisville, KY-- U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement Friday regarding the President’s decision to withdraw proposed new national smog standards that the administration said would have cost billions of dollars, and would have a devastating impact on jobs: “The President took a step today that highlights the devastating impact on jobs that has been created by this administration’s regulatory overreach. There are hundreds of regulations that even the administration acknowledges will cost America’s job creators billions of dollars. This action alone will prevent more job losses than any speech the President has given, and I hope he will listen to the bipartisan calls from across the country to address his administration’s negative impact on job creation. There are several bipartisan bills pending before Congress now to fix the jobs and economic problems his administration has created, and I hope they will be the centerpiece of his proposal next week.”
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Sept 11, 2011 8:12:05 GMT -5
September 11 2011 Remembering September 11, 2001 Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press ReleaseMitch McConnell
Louisville, Ky. – U.S.Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on Sunday September 11 at the American Freedom event in Louisville, Kentucky: “I want to start by acknowledging all the veterans, the active military, the reservists, and the National Guard members who are with us today. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
“Ten years after 9/11, every single one of us remembers exactly where we were when we realized what was happening. We remember what we were doing. And we also remember this:
“That we came together, just as we are today.
“It started on the planes and inside the World Trade Center.
“Ordinary people just sitting at their desks one minute were suddenly risking their lives to save people they had never met.
“Strangers on a plane were suddenly teaming up to thwart hijackers, knowing they probably wouldn’t survive.
“Then there were the firefighters, ordering people to get out of buildings that they were running into…the volunteers, who poured in from across the country … the emergency medical personnel, the police, the nurses, the doctors…
“That was the first wave.
“The second wave had a very different task, and they have done a spectacular job.
“Although Al Qaeda had been targeting us for years, few people saw 9/11 coming. But all of us expected more attacks to follow.
“And the only reason they haven’t is because we went on offense. Our brave military men and women took the fight to enemy, every last one of them a volunteer. And 10 years later, I can tell you this: Al Qaeda has suffered crippling losses — including, at long last, Osama bin Laden himself.
“Kentucky has contributed more than most.
“When I visited Afghanistan earlier this year, nearly one out of five of all U.S. forces in that country — were from units based in Kentucky. Ten years ago, the nation called and Kentucky answered. And it kept answering.
“And I know all of us will feel an incredible pride later this week when a young Kentuckian named Dakota Meyer receives the highest award for valor in combat that our nation can confer.
“To date, more than 100 Kentuckians have made the ultimate sacrifice in the War on Terror.
“We honor all of them today, and all who’ve served in this fight.
“We honor all those in law enforcement and public safety who risk their lives to keep us safe, many of whom also serve in the guard and reserves and have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Some of us may have wondered on 9/11 whether America had it in her to respond. But today, there should be no question. We didn’t hide. We fought back. We showed the terrorists what America’s all about.
“You can destroy our symbols. But you can’t destroy our spirit.
“That’s why people continue to flock to America, including those who will become U.S. citizens here today.
“They want to be citizens of the greatest nation on earth.
“Ten years after 9/11 we remain vigilant and we remain resolved.
“But, above all, we are grateful to the men and women who’ve given so much since that day.
“And for the great privilege of being an American.”
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Sept 22, 2011 18:32:43 GMT -5
McConnell to President: Shovel ready not so funny now Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press ReleaseWashington, D.C.- U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Thursday regarding the President’s visit to Ohio and the bipartisan opposition to his stimulus and tax hike proposals: “Over the past week, President Obama has been traveling around the country trying to set a record for the number of times he can say the words ‘pass this bill right away’ in a single five-minute speech. And today, he’ll bring his act to a 50-year-old bridge that connects my own state of Kentucky with Ohio. Now, the purpose of this visit is clear: The President’s plan is to go out to this bridge and say that if only lawmakers in Washington would pass his second stimulus bill ‘right away’, then bridges like this one would get fixed — and that the only thing standing in the way of repairing them is people like me. “Well, I would just make a couple of points about all this. First, I find it hard to take the President’s message all that seriously when his own Communications Director is over at the White House telling people he’s no longer interested in legislative compromise; and when the leaders of the President’s own party in Congress are treating this bill like an afterthought. “We’d be more inclined to look at this so-called jobs bill if the President’s own staff and the members of his own party in Congress started taking it a little more seriously themselves. Second, I’d remind the President that the people of Kentucky and Ohio have heard this kind of thing before. Don’t forget: the President made the same promises when he was selling his first stimulus. It’s a message he brought to Ohio repeatedly. “Here’s what he said two years ago this week at a stop in Warren, Ohio: ‘All across Ohio and all across the country, rebuilding our roads and our bridges … that’s what the Recovery Act has been all about.’ Yet two and a half years later, what do we have to show for it: politically-connected companies like Solyndra ended up with hundreds of millions in taxpayer-backed money, and bridges like the one the President’s at today still need to be fixed. “It’s worth noting, in fact, that this one company blew through more taxpayer money than the first stimulus allocated for every road and bridge in the entire state of Kentucky — combined. The President told Ohioans and Kentuckians the first stimulus would keep unemployment below 8% too. Yet two and a half years later, unemployment in both states is still above 9 percent. “So we’ve heard these promises before, and I don’t think the President should expect anybody to fall for them again. I mean, how many stimulus bills do we have to pass before these bridges get fixed? How many Solyndras do we have to finance? How much money do we have to waste before the President makes good on the promises he’s already made? “If a bridge needs fixing, by all means, let’s fix it. But don’t tell us we need to pass a half a trillion dollar stimulus bill and accept job-killing tax hikes to do it. Don’t tell the people of Kentucky they need to finance every turtle tunnel and solar panel company on some bureaucrat’s wish list in order to get their bridges fixed. And don’t patronize us by implying that if we just pass this second stimulus, that bridges will be fixed ‘right away.’ “The American people heard the same thing when the administration was selling the first stimulus, only to turn on their television sets two and a half years later to see the President having a big laugh over the fact that all those shovel-ready projects weren’t quite as shovel-ready as he thought they were. “So I would suggest, Mr. President, that you think about ways to actually help the people of Kentucky and Ohio, instead of how you can use their roads and bridges as a backdrop for making a political point. If you’re truly interested in helping our state — if you really want to help our state — then come back to Washington and work with Republicans on legislation that will actually do something to revive our economy and create jobs. And forget the political theater."
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Oct 5, 2011 16:59:15 GMT -5
McConnell calls for vote on Presidents jobs bill, Democrats say NO!
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement on the Senate floor Wednesday regarding the Democrats’ refusal to vote on the President’s stimulus bill: “For the past three weeks, President Obama has been racing around the country trying to rally public support for a second stimulus bill and demanding that Congress pass it ‘right away.’ The President has not been demanding that Congress debate the bill or be allowed to amend the bill. He has demanded — in no uncertain terms — that we hold a vote on the bill as is, right away.
“A couple weeks ago in Denver, the President said he’s got the pens all ready, lined up on his desk, ready to sign the bill into law. Just Yesterday in Texas, he called on Congress to put the bill up for a vote, so the entire country knows exactly where every member of Congress stands. One of the President’s top advisors, David Axelrod, summed up the President’s position like this:
‘We want them to act now on this package,’ he said. ‘We’re not in negotiations to break up the package. It’s not an a la carte menu.’
“So yesterday, I tested the President’s rhetoric. I proposed that we do exactly what he wants and vote, right away, on this second stimulus bill he’s proposed as the supposed solution to our jobs crisis. And the Democrats blocked it. In other words, the President’s own party is the only obstacle to having a vote on his so-called Jobs bill.
“And now I understand our Democrat friends want to jettison entire parts of the bill altogether — not to make it more effective at growing jobs, not to grow bipartisan support. No, they want to overhaul the bill to sharpen its political edge. So my suggestion to the White House is that if the President wants to keep traveling around the country demanding a vote on this second stimulus, that he focuses his criticism on Democrats, not Republicans. Because they’re the ones who are now standing in the way of an immediate vote on this legislation.
“But, of course, the President knew as well as I did that many Democrats in Congress don’t like this bill any more than Republicans do. Despite his rhetoric, he knew Republicans weren’t the only obstacle. Which means one thing: the President is not engaged right now in a good-faith effort to spur the economy or create jobs through legislation. He’s engaged in a reelection campaign.
“There are 1.7 million fewer jobs since the President signed his first stimulus, and his idea of a solution is to propose another one. Even Democrats know it’s a non-starter, which is why so many of them don’t want to have to vote for it. That’s what we all witnessed yesterday. It’s time the President puts an end to this charade. Stop campaigning for a bill written in way to guarantee it wouldn’t pass. And work with us on the kind of job-creating legislation both parties can agree on. Things like the trade bills, rolling back overly burdensome regulations, domestic energy production and tax reform. Republicans are ready.”
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Oct 21, 2011 15:52:15 GMT -5
Let’s Focus on Job Creators, Not More Government Spending Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press ReleaseMitch McConnell
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement on the Senate floor regarding the partisan stimulus/tax hike bill and the need for Congress to act on bipartisan jobs legislation: “As we all know, the number one issue on the minds of most Americans is jobs, and I think it’s pretty clear that both parties are focused on that issue right now. But I also think it’s safe to say the two parties have a fundamentally different take on the solution. For Democrats, the solution, apparently, is to increase the number of people who work for the government. “My good friend the Majority Leader made this pretty clear yesterday when he said the private sector ‘is doing just fine,’ and that the President’s latest stimulus is focused on government jobs instead. Republicans take a different view. We recognize that government has an important role to play. We recognize the need for common-sense regulations to ensure the safety of our citizens and the preservation of our resources. But it’s become increasingly clear to many Americans that Democrats in Washington have lost all sense of balance when it comes to the size and the scope of the federal government in Washington. “Based on the letters I get and the people I meet, there’s a growing sense out there that government regulations are simply out of control — that this is one of the main reasons we’re in this jobs crisis. And there’s a growing sense that the reason for this is that lawmakers and bureaucrats here in Washington have completely lost touch with the struggles folks outside the beltway are going through. “I saw yesterday that the Washington, D.C. area now has the highest median income in the country — primarily because of the high salaries that so many government bureaucrats are making these days. And I have no doubt that many of these people do good work. But the point is, they’re weathering this economic downturn pretty well. Not only are they making big salaries relative to the private sector. They’re also holding onto their jobs. The unemployment rate for the country as a whole is 9.1 percent. “For government workers it’s almost half that, at 4.7 percent. So with all due respect to my friends on the other side it’s the private sector that’s been begging for mercy. It’s the private sector that’s being crushed by regulators in Washington. So I don’t think the solution to this crisis is to make the federal government even bigger. “When it comes to jobs, the primary role of government is to create an environment in which Americans and American businesses can grow and flourish without the heavy hand of government on their backs. We shouldn’t be making it harder for people to do business and prosper. We should be making it easier. Yet everywhere I go — from Silicon Valley to Kentucky coal mines — I hear the same thing: get Washington off our backs. They’re killing us with all their impossible demands. “It’s not the commonsense regulations they complain about, it’s all the new, burdensome, duplicative and in some cases impossible-to-comply-with regulations. I’ve got small business owners in Kentucky writing me to say that they’re barely getting by as it is, and the EPA is harassing them with paperwork and threatening them with fines. I mentioned a paper company the other day in Ohio that’s shutting down because the EPA demanded they upgrade their boilers with a technology that may not even exist yet. “And I know my Democrat colleagues hear these same complaints, because they cut across party lines. One story I saw this week featured a Democratic Mayor in Massachusetts telling Washington to back off. “Here’s a woman who went to the President’s inauguration, stood in the cold to witness it with her kids. And now she says she’s losing her faith in government because the overzealous enforcement of brutal new fishing regulations is destroying jobs and forcing smaller players out of the business altogether. “Democrats hear stories like this, and their solution is that we should hire even more people who wake up every morning thinking about new ways to regulate private industry like this until they cry uncle. Our view is that we should actually listen to what people are asking us to do — and help them out. Give them a break. It’s time for government to help private-sector job creators instead of looking for ways to punish them. “So what we’re doing is we’re asking Democrats to work with us on ways to help the private sector grow. Because the fact is we’re not going to get this economy going again by growing the government. It’s the private sector that’s ultimately going to drive this recovery. “Look: if big government were the key to economic growth, then countries like Greece would be booming right now. What we need to do is focus on helping the private sector grow. “I know the Democrat plan is to focus on their government jobs bill instead — to punish private sector job creators with yet another tax to subsidize even more temporary government jobs at the state level. But what I’m saying is let’s put the government stimulus bills aside for a change and do something for the small business men and women in this country who are begging for mercy from their own government in Washington. “There’s a lot we can do. As I noted yesterday, the House has already passed three pieces of legislation this year alone — one as recently as last week — that would send a different message to businesses. Every one of these bills to roll back excessive regulations by bureaucrats in Washington got solid bipartisan support in the House of Representatives. “Last night, Senate Republicans also moved ahead on legislation that private contractors who do work for federal, state, and local governments have been asking us to enact as a way to protect jobs. At a time when so many businesses are struggling just to stay afloat, the government shouldn’t burden them even more by taking money out of their businesses that they could use to invest and hire instead. “The best thing about this proposal: not only is it bipartisan, it’s also part of the President’s bill. So here’s another example of something we could do for job creators that we know will actually become law. And there’s no reason I can think of that this legislation shouldn’t get 100 votes in the Senate. It’s in the President’s own bill. “The White House said Monday that every part of the President’s bill is equally important. This legislation should get unanimous support. So let’s vote on this and the other bipartisan jobs legislation I’ve mentioned, and then send them to the President for a signature. “It’s time we showed the people who are really struggling out there that we’re on their side — because right now I know a lot of them are having serious doubts. It’s time we do something serious about jobs.”
|
|