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Post by Press Release on Dec 21, 2012 16:30:47 GMT -5
Senator McConnell and HHS Acting General Counsel, Bill Schultz, meet in Senator McConnell’s office to discuss generic crushable-pain pills and their impact on Kentucky.
McConnell Discusses Crushable Pain Pill Abuse with Top HHS Official Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell met with Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Acting General Counsel, Bill Schultz, on Wednesday, to emphasize the seriousness of the prescription drug crisis in Kentucky. During the meeting, Senator McConnell told HHS’ top lawyer that “prescription drug abuse is a significant problem in Kentucky that will be made worse by the imminent availability of these crushable pain pills and I encourage the Administration to take action immediately to avert the looming threat to Kentucky from these frequently-abused, crushable-pain pills.” Early next year, generic versions of the two most commonly-abused painkillers -- Opana and OxyContin -- will flood the markets. Senator McConnell’s office has heard concerns from law enforcement, hospitals and health clinics in Kentucky that these generic crushable drugs lack the tamper-resistant gel coating of the brand name drugs. Without this technology, addicts crush the pills in order to achieve an immediate heroine-like high from sniffing or injecting the painkillers. If these generics come to market without the tamper resistant coating, much of the work that law enforcement and health care providers have done to stem the tide of pain pill abuse in Kentucky will be lost. In addition to today’s meeting, Senator McConnell also recently contacted the FDA Commissioner to ask that the agency delay these crushable generic drugs coming to market until a workable solution can be found.
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Post by Press Release on Dec 27, 2012 17:38:54 GMT -5
Congress Awaits President’s Proposal for Avoiding Fiscal Cliff Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the need for swift, bipartisan action to prevent the country from going over the Fiscal Cliff: “You’ll excuse me if I’m a little frustrated at the situation we find ourselves in. But last night, President Obama called Congressional leaders from Hawaii and asked if there was something we could do to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff.
“I say I’m a little frustrated because we’ve been asking the President and Democrats to work with us on a bipartisan agreement for months — months. A plan that would simplify the tax code, shrink the deficit, protect the taxpayers, and grow the economy. But Democrats consistently rejected those offers. The President chose to spend his time on the campaign trail instead — even after he got re-elected — and Congressional Democrats sat on their hands.
“Republicans bent over backwards. We stepped way out of our comfort zone. We wanted an agreement. But we had no takers. The phone never rang. And so now, here we are, five days from the New Year, and we might finally start talking.
“Democrats have had an entire year to put forward a balanced, bipartisan proposal. If they had something that fit the bill, I’m sure the Majority Leader would have been able to deliver the votes the President would have needed to pass it here in the Senate. And we wouldn’t be in this mess. But here we are, once again, at the end of the year staring at a crisis we should have dealt with months ago.
“Make no mistake: the only reason Democrats have been trying to deflect attention onto me and my colleagues over the past few weeks is that they don’t have a plan of their own that could get bipartisan support. The so-called Senate bill that the Majority Leader keeps referring to passed with only Democrat votes. And despite his repeated calls for the House to pass it, he knows as well as I do that he himself is the reason it can’t happen. The paperwork never left the Senate, so there’s nothing for the House to vote on.
“As I pointed out before we took that vote on July 25th, the [Democrat bill is] ‘a revenue measure that didn’t originate in the House, so it’s got no chance whatsoever of becoming law.’ The only reason we even allowed a vote on that proposal, as I said then, was that we knew it didn’t pass constitutional muster. And that if Democrats were really serious, they’d proceed to a revenue bill that originated in the House, as the Constitution requires, and as I called on them to do again last week.
“To repeat, the so-called Senate bill is nothing more than a glorified Sense of the Senate resolution. So let’s just put that convenient talking point aside from here on out.
“Last night, I told the President that we’re all happy to look at whatever he proposes. But the truth is, we’re coming up against a hard deadline here, and, as I said, this is a conversation we should have had months ago. And Republicans aren’t about to write a blank check for anything Senate Democrats put forward just because we find ourselves at the edge of the cliff. It’s not fair to the American people.
“That said, we’ll see what the President has to propose. Members on both sides of the aisle will review it, and then we’ll decide how best to proceed. Hopefully there is still time for an agreement of some kind that saves the taxpayers from a wholly preventable economic crisis.”
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Post by Press Release on Dec 31, 2012 7:46:21 GMT -5
McConnell Cites Lack of Urgency in Fiscal Cliff Talks, Reaches Out to Vice President Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the status of the fiscal cliff negotiations: “My office submitted an offer to the majority leader last night at 7:10 pm and offered to work through the night to find common ground. The majority leader's staff informed us they would be getting back to us this morning at 10 a.m.-- despite our obvious time crunch. It’s now 2 p.m. and we’ve yet to receive a response to our good-faith offer.
“I'm concerned with the lack of urgency here. There’s far too much at stake for political gamesmanship. “We need to protect American families and businesses from this looming tax hike. Everyone agrees that action is necessary.
“In order to get things moving, I have just spoken with Sen. Reid. I also placed a call to the Vice President to see if he could help jump start the negotiations on their side. The Vice President and I have worked together on solutions before and I believe we can again.
“I want my colleagues to know that we’ll keep everyone updated. “The consequences of this are too high for the American people to be engaged in a political messaging campaign. I'm interested in a result here. And I'm willing to work with whomever can help.
“There is no single issue that remains an impossible sticking point - the sticking point appears to be a willingness, an interest, or courage to close the deal. I'm willing to get this done but I need a dance partner.”
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Post by Press Release on Dec 31, 2012 18:06:05 GMT -5
McConnell: ‘We can do this. We must do this.’ Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the status of the fiscal cliff negotiations: “Yesterday, after days of inaction, I came to the floor and noted we needed to act, but that I needed a dance partner. So I reached out to the Vice President in an effort to get things done. I’m happy to report that the effort has been a successful one and as the President just said, we are very close to an agreement.
“We need to protect American families and job creators from this looming tax hike. Everyone agrees that action is necessary. And I can report that we’ve reached an agreement on the all the tax issues. We are very, very close.
“As the President just said, the most important piece, the piece that has to be done NOW, is preventing the tax hikes. He said: “for now our most immediate priority is to stop taxes going up for middle class families starting tomorrow.” He suggested that action on the sequester is something we can continue to work on in the coming months.
“So I agree, let’s pass the tax relief portion now. Let’s take what’s been agreed to and get moving. The President wants this, members of Congress want to protect taxpayers, and we can get it done now. Let me be clear: We will continue to work on finding smarter ways to cut spending, but let’s not let that hold up protecting Americans from the tax hike that will take place in about 10 hours.
“We can do this. We must do this. I want my colleagues to know that we’ll keep everyone updated.”
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Post by Press Release on Jan 1, 2013 8:44:18 GMT -5
‘An imperfect solution’ to prevent very real financial pain Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday regarding the status of the fiscal cliff negotiations: “It’s late, so I’ll be very brief. I want to thank everyone for their patience and their counsel throughout this process. I also want to thank the Vice President for recognizing the importance of preventing this tax hike on the American people and stepping up to play a crucial role in getting us there. It shouldn’t have taken this long to come to an agreement, and this shouldn’t be the model for how we do things around here, but I appreciate his willingness to get this done for the country.
“I know I can speak for my entire conference when I say we don’t think taxes should be going up on anyone, but we all knew that if we did nothing they’d be going up on everyone today. We weren’t going to let that happen. Each of us could spend the rest of the week discussing what a perfect solution would have looked like, but the end result would have been the largest tax increase in American history.
“The President wanted tax increases, but thanks to this imperfect agreement, 99% of my constituents won’t be hit by those hikes. So it took an imperfect solution to prevent our constituents from very real financial pain. But in my view, it was worth the effort.
“As I said, this shouldn’t be the model for how to do things around here. But I think we can say we’ve done some good for the country. We’ve taken care of the revenue side of this debate. Now it’s time to get serious about reducing Washington’s out-of-control spending. That’s a debate the American people want. It’s the debate we’ll have next. And it’s a debate Republicans are ready for.”
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Post by Press Release on Jan 2, 2013 22:20:59 GMT -5
Debt Ceiling an Opportunity to Curb Out-of-Control Washington Spending Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement regarding the need for bipartisan action to curb Washington’s out-of-control spending: “Now that the House and Senate have acted in a bipartisan way to prevent tax increases on 99 percent of the American people, Democrats now have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to join Republicans in a serious effort to reduce Washington’s out-of-control spending. That’s a debate the American people want. It’s the debate we’ll have next. And it’s a debate Republicans are ready for. Despite the President’s call for more and more Americans to send even more of their paychecks to Washington, the federal government will still have another trillion-dollar deficit this year. But in the upcoming months, we will have the opportunity to put our country back on sound financial footing—and there’s no excuse not to seize it. The President claims to want a balanced approach to solve our problems. And now that he has the tax rates he wants, his calls for ‘balance’ mean he must join us in our efforts to achieve meaningful spending and government reform. We have an immediate opportunity to act: the debt ceiling. Washington’s credit card has reached its limit again, and the Senate majority must act on legislation early in February—rather than waiting until the last minute, abdicating responsibility and hoping someone else will step in once again to craft a last-minute solution for them. Once the Senate passes bipartisan legislation, we can conference with the House on a solution. But this time the entire Senate must have an opportunity to act.”
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Post by Press Release on Jan 4, 2013 21:34:45 GMT -5
McConnell Successful in Effort to Permanently Stop Death Tax Hike Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
During negotiations on the fiscal cliff, U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was able to permanently prevent a massive increase in the death tax, which would have especially harmed Kentucky farmers and their families. The low tax, which McConnell fought for since 2001, was made permanent for the first time in the fiscal cliff legislation, which McConnell secured during talks with Vice President Joe Biden. "I am pleased that we permanently prevented a massive increase in the death tax, which will help Kentucky farmers plan for the next generation. This is good news for Kentucky farmers who want to keep the farm in the family and would otherwise have to sell part or all of their assets or the farm itself to settle their tax burden,” Senator McConnell said. Without this change, family farms and small businesses valued at $1 million or more would have been taxed at 55 percent starting in 2013. This new deal sets a permanent 40 percent rate on those valued at more than $5 million (indexed to inflation), ensuring that those valued less than $5 million never have a death tax liability. Married couples may be able to benefit even more if their combined assets are valued at less than $10 million. The Kentucky Farm Bureau commended Senator McConnell for his role on the issue, “Providing Kentucky farm families relief from the federal estate tax has long been a national priority of Kentucky Farm Bureau. We appreciate the diligence of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to successfully incorporate a permanent $5 million estate tax exemption into the recently-passed fiscal cliff legislation. Even as the fiscal cliff approached, Senator McConnell was determined to keep the interests of Kentucky’s farm families and their financial stability at the forefront of the debate,” said Mark Haney, President of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 14, 2013 22:00:02 GMT -5
Senator McConnell Visits Afghanistan and Israel with Congressional Delegation Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell announced today that he and four other Senators just completed a visit to Afghanistan and Israel. McConnell was joined on the trip by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Deb Fischer (R-NE). During their trip, the Senators met with U.S. military personnel, military officials and political leaders to discuss political, economic and security issues affecting bilateral and regional relations. In addition to visiting with troops from their respective states, the Senators met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Major General Larry Nicholson, and General John Allen, Commander of the International Security Assistance Force. The delegation returns to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 14, 2013 22:07:59 GMT -5
McConnell on Democrat Debt Letter: ‘The height of irresponsibility’ Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement today regarding a letter from the Senate Democrat leadership to the President on the debt ceiling, and Washington’s out-of-control spending: “The Democrat leadership hiding under their desks and hoping the President will find a way around the law on the nation’s maxed-out credit card is not only the height of irresponsibility, but also a guarantee that our national debt crisis will only get worse.
“With the President asking Congress to raise the debt ceiling, Democrats in Washington are falling all over themselves in an effort to do anything they can to get around the law—and to avoid taking any responsibility for Washington’s out-of-control spending. Rather than offering any plan to break the spending habit that’s causing the problem, Democrats are looking at everything from the ridiculous (printing a trillion-dollar coin) to outright abdication of Congressional responsibility. But avoiding this problem will only make it worse, which is why many of us view the upcoming debt limit debate as a perfect opportunity to face up to Washington’s spending.”
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Post by Press Release on Jan 18, 2013 22:48:57 GMT -5
McConnell Calls on Senate Democrats to Lead and Pass a Budget Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement today following the House debt limit and budget announcement, and he called on Senate Democrats to lead and pass a budget for the first time in four years: “For nearly four years, the Senate Democrat leadership has prevented this body from performing its most basic of duties: passing a federal budget. That is a shameful record that needs to end this year. It’s time to stop governing by crisis and stop-gap measure; the American people expect the Senate to finally pass a budget. Moreover, instead of hiding from tough votes, Senate Democrats should also return to regular order and transparency in the legislative process by allowing committees and the public the opportunity they rightly deserve to properly scrutinize legislation before it comes to a vote.
“It’s not the discussion about the debt and budget failures that has put our nation’s credit rating at risk—it’s the unsustainable debt, the out-of-control Washington spending, and the failure to budget that got us here. It’s time to change, and the debt ceiling discussion is the perfect time for that debate.”
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Post by Press Release on Jan 22, 2013 20:41:49 GMT -5
McConnell Statement on the President’s Inauguration Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement today on the inauguration of President Barack Obama: “Every four years on Inauguration Day, America shows the world that our major political parties can disagree with civility and mutual respect. It is in this spirit that I congratulate President Obama on his inauguration to a second term and wish him well in the fulfillment of his duty to lead the U.S. at home and abroad over the next four years. The President’s second term represents a fresh start when it comes to dealing with the great challenges of our day; particularly, the transcendent challenge of unsustainable federal spending and debt. Republicans are eager to work with the President on achieving this common goal, and we firmly believe that divided government provides the perfect opportunity to do so. Together, there is much we can achieve.”
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Post by Press Release on Jan 22, 2013 20:51:19 GMT -5
McConnell Statement on 40th Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, March for Life Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement today regarding the 40th Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade and March for Life: “The 40th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade is a time to affirm the principle that all human life has inherent dignity and is thus deserving of the protection of the law. Later this week hundreds of thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds will gather in Washington to affirm this belief and that, contrary to the Supreme Court’s activist ruling in Roe v. Wade, the most vulnerable among us should be welcomed in life and protected by law. The participants in this year’s annual March for Life know that any just society is measured by the manner in which it treats the most defenseless of its citizens at every stage of life. I applaud them for their enthusiastic witness to this timeless truth, and I share their commitment to the cause of life.”
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Post by Press Release on Jan 23, 2013 19:55:29 GMT -5
On Spending and Debt: ‘If We Don’t get a Handle on That, Nothing Else Matters' Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the need to focus on serious solutions to Washington’s out-of-control spending problem and our nation’s debt: “I want to start by congratulating President Obama on his inauguration. Presidential inaugurations are always a time for the country to come together. We all feel a certain pride in the event. And we’re reminded of how fortunate we are to live in a nation where we have the ability to choose our leaders freely and resolve our differences in peace.
“Inauguration Day is also a time for new beginnings, a chance to learn from the mistakes and missed opportunities of the past as we re-engage in some vitally important debates about our future. Too often over the past four years, political considerations have trumped the need to put our country on a sound financial footing and a path to prosperity.
“Today, we should recommit ourselves to the task of facing up to our problems head on. I understand that the passions of an election can sometimes overshadow the business of governing. But the presidential campaign is now behind us. And so it’s my hope that the President will finally be willing to do what Republicans have been asking him to do since his first inauguration four years ago: and that’s to work with us on identifying durable solutions to problems that we can only solve together — to put aside those things we know we can’t agree on and focus on what we can.
“And we should start with spending and debt; because if we don’t get a handle on that, nothing else matters.
“If we don’t work together to strengthen our entitlement programs, they will go bankrupt. Automatic cuts will be forced on seniors already receiving benefits, rendering worthless the promises that they’ve built their retirements around. It’s nice to say, as the President did yesterday, that these programs free us to take the risks that make our country great. But if we don’t act to strengthen and protect them now, in a few years they simply won’t be there in their current form.
“And if we don’t work together to control the debt, then the cost of our interest payments alone will eventually crowd out funding for things we all agree on — from defense, to infrastructure and assistance for those who need it most.
“In short, the debate we’re now engaged in over the growing federal debt is about much more than numbers on a page. It’s about the cost of inaction in terms of promises broken, jobs lost, and dreams deferred. And that’s why there’s simply no more time to waste.
“Over the past four years, while the President focused on re-election and too many Senate Democrats focused on avoiding tough decisions, the debt grew by more than six trillion dollars. We saw the President blast House Republicans for doing their job and passing a budget while Senate Democrats didn’t even propose one.
“And rather than work with us to save existing entitlements, we saw the President team up with Democrats in Congress to force through a brand new entitlement that will make it even harder to cover the cost of programs that we already have.
“In short, Democrats have put off all the hard stuff until now. And our problems have only gotten worse. But that was the first term.
“A second term presents the opportunity to do things differently, and in the Senate that means a return to regular order. Later this week, the House plans to send the Senate a bill to address the debt limit in a timely manner.
“Once we get it, the Senate should quickly respond. If the Senate version is different than the one the House sends over, send it off to conference. That’s how things are supposed to work around here. We used to call it legislating.
“I know a lot of Democrats are afraid of a process that exposes their priorities, particularly on spending and debt. After nearly four years of refusing to pass a budget, they’ve only now reluctantly agreed to develop a spending plan for the coming fiscal year. All I would say to that is that, since the revenue question has been settled, I’m sure the American people are eager to see what other ideas Democrats might have to bring down our ruinous deficits.
“And let me just say that one thing Americans will no longer tolerate is an attitude that says we can put off our work until the last minute. They’re tired of the eleventh hour deals, they’re tired of careening from crisis to crisis – and so am I.
“The good news is, a return to regular order is the surest way to solve the problems we face. And I hope some of my friends on the other side will agree that there is value in this body actually functioning the way it was intended to.
“Let’s face it: the status quo isn’t working. The Senate isn’t functioning as it should, and it has nothing to do with a process that has served us well for a very long time. But if we work together and strive to avoid some of bad habits that have developed around here, I truly believe that we’ll be able to achieve the kinds of solutions that have eluded us for the past four years. And deliver some positive results for the people who sent us here, with time to spare.
“We can do better. I know my constituents expect better than what they’ve been getting from Congress in recent years. So should we.”
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Post by Press Release on Jan 24, 2013 16:42:45 GMT -5
President Should Approve Keystone XL Pipeline Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement calling on the President to approve completion of the Keystone XL pipeline: “Today’s welcome announcement that Nebraska officials have approved a new route for the Keystone XL pipeline eliminates an excuse the President has used for holding up the pipeline’s completion. The President rejected Keystone last year because he didn’t want to offend his environmentalist base in a political year, but the election is over. With this hurdle now cleared, the President should give the green light to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, which would create thousands of good jobs as well as help make our nation more energy independent. The President says he’s for an all of the above approach to energy and now it’s time for him to live up to it. Nebraska has taken care of the issues the President raised when he denied the permit so there’s no more room for excuses or delays and it should be expeditiously approved.”
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Post by Press Release on Jan 25, 2013 5:42:41 GMT -5
Democrats demand tax increase before they will do constitutional duty Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the need for Senate Democrats to pass a serious budget that doesn’t raise taxes on the American people: “I don’t know if you know anyone who has climbed to the top of Mt. Everest, but I’m told it’s quite an undertaking. It apparently took Sir Edmund Hillary several weeks to do it in the 1950s. Well, I’m told that my friends across the aisle could have scaled Everest almost 300 times in the nearly four years that have gone by since they last passed a budget. They could have taken 179 trips to the Moon or built three Pentagons.
“Well, today it looks like that’s all about to change. It’s nice to see that, after years of playing budget peak-a-boo, Senate Democrats are finally ready to take up their most basic of responsibilities, and only a few weeks after the chairwoman of the Budget Committee indicated they might skip it, for the fourth year in a row.
“What’s unfortunate is that it’s required so much pressure to get them to do so. It’s a stark contrast to House Republicans, who’ve taken their duties seriously. Over there, Committee hearings have been held. Budget resolutions have been marked up. Amendments have been considered.
“More importantly, the House has passed serious budgets annually, as the law requires. They’ve laid out their priorities for the public to see: their plans to control spending, to save our most important social programs from collapse, to reform an outdated and anti-competitive tax code, and to streamline government bureaucracies that are suffocating job creation. They’ve done their jobs, while Senate Democrats have tried to keep their priorities a secret.
“We know Senate Democrats don't like the House budgets. And we know they don't even support the President’s budgets — at least not with their votes. What we haven’t known for nearly four years is what they’re for, because they’ve refused to put their plans for the country down on paper and actually vote for them.
“Now, it’s my hope that the Democrats’ sudden interest in passing a budget isn’t just another attempt to raise taxes. As I’ve said repeatedly, we’re done with revenue. The President has already said that the so-called ‘rich’ are now paying their ‘fair share,’ and of course middle-income families are already on the hook for new taxes as a result of Obamacare. So the question is, who would be in the firing line this time? At what cost?
“Look: struggling families shouldn’t have to pick up the tab again for Washington’s inability to live within its means. We need to start solving the actual problem, which is spending, and we need to do it together. So if – and I say if – Democrats are finally ready to confront the massive fiscal and economic challenges facing our country, and to do so in a serious way, I assure them they’ll find partners on this side of the aisle.
“As for the debt limit, there’s no need to wait for final resolution of the House’s short-term legislation before we start putting a long-term debt-reduction solution together in the Senate. If the bill the House passed yesterday is signed into law, Congress will have another three months to take the debt challenge on seriously. But that does not mean we should wait a minute longer to start working on it. There’s no reason, for instance, that the Finance Committee shouldn’t begin preparing the critical spending reforms that will be necessary to get my vote, and the vote of many of my colleagues, for any long-term increase.
“Let’s get the process moving. No more brinksmanship. No more last-minute deals. The American people have already had to wait four years for a budget from Washington Democrats. They shouldn’t have to wait nearly as long for us to confront a debt that threatens the economy, jobs, and the future of our nation.
“Yesterday, I laid out the realities of the fiscal challenges we face as a country. We’ve delayed facing them long enough. Let’s put the politics aside and finally do the work we were sent here to do.”
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Post by Press Release on Jan 27, 2013 7:52:51 GMT -5
Court Rules President Obama’s NLRB ‘Recess’ Appointments Are Unconstitutional Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that President Obama’s so-called “recess” appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) last January are invalid. “The D.C. Circuit Court today reaffirmed that the Constitution is not an inconvenience but the law of the land, agreeing with the owners of a family-owned business who brought the case to the Court,” Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said. McConnell and 41 of his Senate colleagues filed an amicus brief in the case, Noel Canning v. NLRB, challenging the constitutionality of the NLRB appointments last year. The suit was brought by Noel Canning, a local, family-owned business in Washington State that bottles and distributes soft drinks. The company challenged the NLRB’s determination that it must enter into a collective bargaining agreement with a labor union. In its ruling today, the Court said, “Allowing the President to define the scope of his own appointments power would eviscerate the Constitution’s separation of powers.” The Court determined that: “An interpretation of ‘the Recess’ that permits the President to decide when the Senate is in recess would demolish the checks and balances inherent in the advice-and-consent requirement, giving the President free rein to appoint his desired nominees at any time he pleases, whether that time be a weekend, lunch, or even when the Senate is in session and he is merely displeased with its inaction. This cannot be the law.” “For the same reasons, this decision now casts serious doubt on whether the President’s ‘recess’ appointment of Richard Cordray to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which the President announced at the same time, is constitutional,” McConnell said. The 42 Senators retained former Assistant to the Solicitor General Miguel Estrada to file the amicus brief in the case.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 28, 2013 19:47:47 GMT -5
McConnell Statement on Immigration Framework Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement regarding the immigration reform framework announced by a bipartisan group of senators: “Reforming our broken immigration system and securing our nation’s borders are crucial objectives that our nation needs to address and I appreciate the hard work that has gone into the framework announced today. When the President addresses this issue Tuesday, I hope he will take a bipartisan approach rather than delivering another divisive partisan speech. “In order for any reform to be successful, congressional committees will have to review and write legislation through regular order, and all members must have an opportunity to debate and amend any legislation that comes to the floor. This effort is too important to be written in a back room and sent to the floor with a take-it-or-leave it approach. It needs to be done on a bipartisan basis and include ideas from both sides of the aisle.”
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Post by Press Release on Jan 29, 2013 17:29:32 GMT -5
Let’s Start Now on Debt Solution, Avoid an 11th Hour Deal Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the need for immediate bipartisan action to rein in our nation’s out-of-control debt: “There are many complex issues facing Congress at the moment, many of which have vexed us for years. But one issue that demands our immediate attention is the national debt. Because if we don’t do something now to rein in our nation’s out-of-control debt, we may never be able to put America back on a sustainable fiscal and economic path — and if that happens, then many of the other issues we face will be largely irrelevant. So we need to give this issue everything we’ve got, and we need to start now. “We need to devote the same kind of energy to this issue that we’ve devoted to other great national threats in the past. That means serious bipartisan negotiation, careful committee consideration, and, yes, tough decisions and the kinds of votes that reflect them. This work will take time, and that’s why I’ve been urging Senate Democrats to set the legislative gears into motion right away. Last week, the House passed a bill that would give us three months to work out an effective solution to the debt crisis we face. “On Wednesday, we’ll take it up here in the Senate. If the House bill passes here and is signed into law, the Finance Committee should immediately begin laying the foundations for a solution. Negotiations should begin, hearings should be scheduled, and legislation should be marked up. Three months, as you know, is not very much time in Congress, especially considering the fiscal deadlines we’ll have to address in coming weeks. So let’s use this additional time to develop a plan – a serious, effective, bipartisan plan – that can put the debt on a downward trajectory. “Let’s put together a proposal that gives new confidence to the American people in our ability to work together with an eye toward improving their lives and their prospects rather than our own and that gives new confidence to the markets, and to the ratings agencies that have warned us against doing anything that doesn’t address our long-term problem, which is Washington spending. “I know a number of Democrats view this exercise as little more than an opportunity to raise taxes. What I’m saying is that they need to put their preoccupation with taxes aside and focus on the root problem. Raising taxes is something you do when you lack the will or the courage to reform a government that’s become too expensive. It’s time to make some tough decisions for a change, and we’ll only do it if we get started now, in a bipartisan fashion, through regular order. “I know that my constituents are tired of seeing us careen from crisis to crisis around here. Regular order is how we’ll avoid it. So let’s avoid the 11th hour deals. And that means getting started now on a legislative plan that can pass. “Some pundits claim that Washington is incapable of ever solving a challenge as big as this one. They say that our democratic institutions are broken, that divided government precludes us from passing things that matter to the future of our country. I say the opposite is true. History shows that divided government offers the best opportunity to finally surmount this challenge. “The President came to office in his first term with a promise to unify our country, to work with Democrats and Republicans to take on America’s greatest challenges. Unfortunately, his rhetoric was just that. Four years later, polls show we’re more divided as a nation than we were when the President first took office. But as I said last week, I believe the beginning of a second term presents a real opportunity to change course — to do the work that so many have refused to do for the past four years. “This is our chance to prove the pundits wrong, and get something done. And let’s be clear about something up front: solving our debt problem isn’t about austerity; it’s about opportunity. It’s about creating some space for businesses to grow and for a rising generation of Americans to feel as though they can look to the future with optimism rather than dread. But that only comes after some hard work on the debt is done.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 30, 2013 21:40:53 GMT -5
Spending Cuts Are Key to Easing Debt Crisis Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks (as prepared) on the Senate floor today regarding the need for serious spending cuts and government reforms to solve our nation’s debt crisis: “A few weeks ago, President Obama reportedly said that America doesn’t have a spending problem. Well, he’s wrong. This is completely at odds with what independent experts tell us. And last week, I brought this chart behind me to the floor to illustrate the point. As everyone knows, we’re already running trillion dollar deficits. What this chart shows is that the gap between government spending and revenue just keeps getting wider and wider in the years ahead. As you can see, it rises like a red mountain over a relatively flat plain of green. “Now, I know some of my Democrat colleagues will hear this and say, ‘a-ha, it’s a revenue problem.’ Well, they’re wrong too: because the chart actually factors in the additional tax increases the President asked for, and still the revenue line barely budges. More to the point, tax revenue as a share of GDP is today about the same as it’s been over the past four decades. “Spending, on the other hand, averaged just 18.5 percent over that same period, and today it stands at about 23 percent – one of the highest spending levels since World War II. And it’s about to get much worse, growing to nearly 40 percent of GDP in just a few decades. Clearly, we need to address spending. There’s simply no other way to solve the problem. “A significant portion of the dramatic spending increase to come is the result of tens of millions of Baby Boomers reaching retirement age. Since we know that fact ahead of time, we’re in a position to do something about it – and we should. But that’s only one part of the problem. “We also need to shine a light into every corner of the budget, especially the dark corners that often evade real scrutiny. Programs that don’t work should be scrapped; and when considering those that do, we still need to ask the question: ‘Can it be done better? Faster? More efficiently?’ “And we need to root out waste, which will serve as the first real test of Democrats’ seriousness in this debate. I mean, why is the federal government funding Chinese studies on pig manure, and research into the smoking habits of Jordanian college students, and reality TV shows in India? “Are Democrats prepared to cut this kind of waste? “Because if they’re not – if they demand a 1:1 ratio between tax increases and pig manure cuts – then there’s really no hope of ever putting our country back on a path to prosperity. The Senate will soon begin consideration of H.R. 325. If it passes, we’ll have a few more months to come up with the kind of spending reforms necessary to secure a longer extension of the debt ceiling. That extra time will give us a chance to break the Democrats’ other bad habit of leaving everything until the last minute – but we can only do it if we get to work now and return to regular order. “Remember, regular order is how the Senate is supposed to function. Committees are supposed to be allowed to evaluate legislation, amendments are supposed to be considered, and the public is supposed to have a chance to scrutinize the proposals before us. Now, I know that solving the debt challenge won’t be easy. Putting our country on a sustainable fiscal and economic path is going to require both parties committing to serious spending reforms. But this is a challenge we must overcome. “By doing the hard work today, we can avoid a European-style catastrophe tomorrow. By reforming the functions of government that no longer make sense in 2013, we can do more than just control spending – we can encourage private-sector growth and job creation and finally get the economy back on its feet. And by ridding ourselves of this massive burden of debt, we can remove one of the greatest obstacles to recovery. “As I said yesterday, this is ultimately a conversation about growth and opportunity – not austerity. And it’s one that Republicans are eager to have. For those who want to pretend that our country does not have a spending problem, now is the time to face reality. We can take on this challenge together if both sides are ready to do the necessary work to reform spending. But we have to get started today. Not next week. Not in April. Today.”
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Post by Press Release on Jan 31, 2013 22:22:56 GMT -5
Industrialized Hemp Will Help Spur Economic Growth and Create Jobs in Kentucky Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement regarding industrialized hemp and its impact on Kentucky: "After long discussions with Senator Rand Paul and Commissioner James Comer on the economic benefits of industrialized hemp, I am convinced that allowing its production will be a positive development for Kentucky’s farm families and economy. Commissioner Comer has assured me that his office is committed to pursuing industrialized hemp production in a way that does not compromise Kentucky law enforcement’s marijuana eradication efforts or in any way promote illegal drug use. The utilization of hemp to produce everything from clothing to paper is real and if there is a capacity to center a new domestic industry in Kentucky that will create jobs in these difficult economic times that sounds like a good thing to me.”
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Post by Press Release on Feb 4, 2013 17:33:40 GMT -5
Gas and Electric prices not high enough? Democrats want another tax on energy.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the need for serious spending reforms, not tax hikes, to solve our nation’s debt crisis: “The American people are deeply unhappy with the way Washington operates these days. They’re tired of people telling them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear, and they’re tired of all the political games and gimmicks that substitute for real action on the problems we face as a nation. Given what we’ve seen from the White House and Congressional Democrats, it’s hard to blame them. “As I’ve said repeatedly in recent weeks, we need to find a way to control runaway federal spending and debt, and we need to do it quickly. This is absolutely essential if we’re to avoid a European-style catastrophe of our own, and it’s what we need to do if we’re serious about removing government obstacles that stand in the way of a robust recovery and new jobs. Reducing the debt will throw off a wet blanket that has been weighing our economy down for too long. “This is a serious challenge, and it demands serious spending reforms from both parties in Washington. Yet if you were to listen to the Democrats, you’d think all of our ills could be solved by raising taxes on private jets or energy companies. These aren’t real solutions, Mr. President. They’re poll-tested gimmicks. Just take the tax hike on so-called ‘corporate jets.’ It wouldn’t raise enough revenue to offset one week of the decade-long sequester it’s meant to offset. One week. “And of course, anytime you have a tax hike, there are going to be negative repercussions for growth and jobs. We don’t have to look too far into the past to see just how destructive those consequences can be. “In 1990, Washington politicians tried enacting a ‘luxury tax’ on just about everything you could associate with the upper class, including yachts and aircraft. It was a total failure. Not only did it destroy 30,000 jobs in the boating industry alone. From a revenue perspective, the government actually spent more in unemployment benefits and in lost taxes than it was able to raise through the luxury tax. In other words, while the tax may have served as a useful wedge issue for Democrat politicians, it did succeed in making just about everybody worse off than they were before it passed: workers, consumers, taxpayers, and the government. That’s why nearly a third of today’s Senate Democrat caucus voted to repeal that particular tax in 1993. They even agreed to send refund checks to those impacted by it. “So why are they proposing to go down this same sorry road again? “Well, in a variation on the old saying, you could conclude that they don’t want the facts to get in the way of a good political talking point. But the larger point is this: the challenge we face right now is the fact that government spending is completely out of control. So to focus on a tax of any kind is to miss the point entirely. “Looking back over the past four decades, the amount of revenue we bring in today is about average as a percentage of GDP. Spending, on the other hand, is way above historical norms. And it’s spending that’s projected to get much, much worse in the years to come — unless we do something about it today. “The American people elected a divided government. They expect it to work. That means both parties need to engage and offer serious solutions. And proposing a return to failed tax gimmicks of the past is not a serious solution. “If White House officials want to replace the same sequester that they themselves proposed in 2011, it’s their responsibility to lay out what concrete spending cuts they’d be willing to consider as potential offsets, as House Republicans have. If they do, Republicans are happy to hear them out and work collaboratively on effective reforms. “But if this is just another opportunity to trot out the Democrats’ focus group-approved policy stunts – if this is another fake fight designed by the White House to push us to the brink – then Republicans are not going to play along. We are going to keep fighting for real spending reform, because that’s what the American people expect us to do. “Every day spent talking about ‘corporate jets’ is a day wasted, and given that the President again missed the deadline to submit a budget on time this year, there’s not much time to spare. The clock is ticking. It’s time to get serious.”
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Post by Press Release on Feb 5, 2013 19:07:12 GMT -5
It’s time to get serious Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement today regarding the need for smarter spending reforms, not additional tax hikes, to solve our nation’s debt crisis: “The President who first proposed the sequester, and who just last year claimed that the sequester ‘will not happen,’ now wants to ‘delay’ the sequester for a few months with more permanent tax hikes at a time when American families are already feeling the pinch of the Obama economy. House Republicans have twice passed legislation that would replace the sequester in a smarter way, only to see it ignored by the Democrat-controlled Senate. If Democrats have ideas for smarter cuts, they should bring them up for debate. But the American people will not support more tax hikes in place of the meaningful spending reductions both parties already agreed to and the President signed into law. “Now that Congress has acted on the tax issue, the President needs to lay out significant spending reforms—the other side of the ‘balance’ as he defines it. But every day spent talking about ‘corporate jets’ is a day wasted, and given that the President again missed the deadline to submit a budget this year, there’s not much time to spare. The clock is ticking. It’s time to get serious.”
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Post by Press Release on Feb 7, 2013 17:30:03 GMT -5
Take Advantage of Divided Government to Solve our Economic Challenges Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the devastating effects of the President’s economic policies on Americans and the need to take advantage of divided government to solve the nation’s economic crisis: “A report this week from Harvard’s Institute of Politics reveals just how devastating the President’s policies have been for Americans under 30. Despite the fact that most Millennials have attended college, only about 60 percent of them have been able to find a job – and half of them are only working part-time. For many young Americans, this suggests, the American Dream is already drifting out of reach. It shouldn’t be this way. “Previous generations of Americans faced great challenges. But until now, younger Americans could always expect that they’d eventually achieve greater prosperity than their parents, and that their children would do even better. Today, the opposite appears to be the case. This should be shocking to all of us, especially considering that this generation of young people came into its own in an era of relative peace and prosperity. “For many of us, just going to college was a pretty big deal. For today’s younger generation, it was the obvious next step. Many of us watched our parents save diligently for the simplest of luxuries. A lot of today’s young people couldn’t really relate to those stories until now. They grew up in an age of dot-com booms and easy credit. But as college degrees no longer translate into fulfilling careers, and as the Obama Economy continues its years-long stagnation, much has changed for a generation that once seemed to have everything going for it. “Recent figures from the Congressional Budget Office help tell the story. According to CBO, in 2014 the United States will see a sixth consecutive year of 7 and-a-half percent-plus unemployment. The last time the U.S. jobs picture was that bad, Americans were still huddling around the family radio. “For two years, the President’s been saying that raising taxes on the rich would solve our problems. Yet CBO notes that while taxes are set to jump above their historic level, the added revenue from taxes that rose due to operation of law will mean almost nothing when it comes to dealing with America’s long-term fiscal challenges. “That’s because CBO also warned that spending, which already exceeds the historic average, will continue its unsustainable climb in the years ahead. In fact, over the next decade, red ink will spike by trillions to levels unseen in peacetime America. If interest rates go up, as most expect, it will be even harder for young Americans to purchase a home. CBO warns that if the interest payments on our debt skyrocket, it will be even more difficult to guarantee the eventual availability of Social Security and Medicare for today’s graduates. And if wages fall as a result of the smaller economy that comes from the government’s increased debt payments, then we can be quite certain that today’s generation will know less prosperity than their parents did. “These are just some of the negative consequences of failing to get spending under control, according to the experts. Things are set to get much worse, unless we act quickly. So has the White House reached out to Republicans to solve these pressing fiscal and economic challenges? “I wish. Instead, it has turned once again to gimmicks and tax hikes that only serve to delay solutions. Earlier this week, the President even proposed more tax hikes to offset a sequester that he himself proposed and that he already signed into law. If he agrees with us that there’s a smarter way to make these cuts, he should propose it – not just call on others to act. But I’ll tell you this right now: my constituents in Kentucky and the American people will not accept another tax increase to put off a spending cut that the two parties have already agreed to. It’s the definition of dysfunction. “So this morning, I am again calling on the President and his Congressional allies to put the politics aside for once. The election is over. The time to govern is now – to make divided government work for the American people, who chose it. “We owe Americans action, not rhetoric. We owe it to the millions of college graduates out of work. We owe it to the strivers who find themselves still living in their parents’ basements. They’re all counting on us to enact real, bipartisan solutions – solutions that can get our economy moving again today and that can ensure greater prosperity tomorrow. “Is Washington up to the task? “Republicans are. And we’re still here, ready to work with the President as soon as he’s prepared to get down to business.”
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Post by Press Release on Feb 12, 2013 14:12:33 GMT -5
McConnell Statement on Pope Benedict XVI Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement today regarding Pope Benedict XVI: “Catholics and other people of good will around the world are grateful today for the ministry of Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict’s message of a loving God who calls all men and women to a greater kinship with Himself has inspired many to a deeper faith, and his forceful warnings about the dangers of relativism have served as an important reminder of something we all learned as children: that there is such a thing as right and wrong. We wish the pope health and happiness in the years ahead, and we thank him for his humble leadership in these very challenging times.”
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Post by Press Release on Feb 13, 2013 17:45:28 GMT -5
McConnell Responds to President’s State of the Union Address Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement tonight regarding President Obama’s State of the Union Address: “I was disappointed. The President showed yet again that he can really deliver a speech, but I don’t think anybody needed proof of that. I think what most Americans wanted to hear tonight was the President’s plan to get government spending under control, rein in the debt, and put the private economy back on a path to real growth and serious job creation. “Kentuckians aren’t interested in false promises; they want to hear what we’re planning to do to streamline government and bring it up to date. They want to hear what it’s going to take to lower the cost of living, and the cost of education and health care. They want to hear what it’s going to take to create good jobs. The President didn’t do any of those things tonight. “Another thing he didn’t do was to explain how Obamacare is about to start impacting peoples’ lives in a very significant way. Many of us warned about all the terrible consequences of this law. Well, now we’re seeing them. And I think the President who pushed so hard to pass it should face up to its impact, and do something to prepare folks for what’s coming. “Another thing I’d say is that we don’t need to be fighting about everything in Washington. I happen to be one of those who thinks divided government is the ideal time to solve our nation’s problems. For whatever reason, the President doesn’t agree with that. He seems to want everybody to think that Republicans are all up here with their daggers drawn all the time. It’s absolute nonsense. We’ve got serious problems to deal with, especially spending and debt. Every single one of my Republican colleagues wants to do something to address those problems. “So I think the President missed an opportunity tonight to lay out a serious economic plan Kentuckians could really relate to, and to reach out across the aisle to get it done.”
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Post by Press Release on Feb 14, 2013 16:49:20 GMT -5
Cornyn, McConnell Introduce Balanced Budget Amendment Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement joining Sen. John Cornyn in introducing, along with every member of the Republican Conference, a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution to put the nation’s fiscal house in order: “I was glad to join Sen. Cornyn and the rest of our Senate Republican colleagues today in introducing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. We saw in last night’s State of the Union address that the President is incapable of breaking his addiction to Washington spending that has resulted in a massive and unsustainable $16 trillion debt. We cannot continue to tax and spend and send the bill to our children. The American people have paid enough of a price over the last few years for Washington’s recklessness, and passing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution would put our citizens back at the helm of our ship of state. The American people understand that Washington needs to balance its books by reducing spending, and it is past time that Congress pass this amendment and send it to the states for ratification."
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Post by Press Release on Feb 15, 2013 5:28:48 GMT -5
Another Gimmicky Democrat Tax Hike Bill Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the need for smart and targeted spending cuts, not another gimmicky tax hike bill, to replace across-the-board cuts set to take effect in 15 days: “In just 15 days, significant across-the-board cuts are set to take effect unless the President and Senate Democrats come up with a plan to replace them with smarter, targeted spending cuts. The President and the Senate Majority have known about this deadline for more than a year. Yet, here we are, just days before this so-called sequester is set to hit, and a familiar scenario is playing out once again. “It goes something like this: “Phase 1: Republicans identify a challenge and propose a solution. “Phase 2: Liberals sit on their hands until the last minute. “Phase 3: They offer some gimmicky tax hike bill designed to fail – then blame everyone else when it does. “Phases 1 and 2 have gone exactly according to plan. House Republicans proposed and passed plans to replace the sequester months ago. And as if on cue, Senate Democrats then doggedly refused to consider any of them, much less offer any of their own. So, here we are — again — at Phase 3, which means it’s now time for them to swoop in with the gimmick. “That’s why our friends on the other side have been huddled behind closed doors with the pollsters and P.R. spinmeisters. They’ve been busy devising the most appealing-sounding tax hikes they can. “Don’t believe me? Just watch what happens now. “Later today, Senate Democrats are expected to roll out the gimmick. Remember, this is not a solution — even they know it can’t pass, that’s the idea — it’s a political stunt designed to mask the fact that they’ve offered no solutions, and don’t plan to offer any. And it’s a total waste of time. “For nearly two months, I’ve been coming to the floor to ask Senate Democrats to work with us on a bill that could pass both houses of Congress. “If they were the least bit serious about a solution, they’ve had more than a year to write a bill in committee, bring it to the floor, vote on amendments, get it to the House, and fix this. Instead, they waited right up until the moment of crisis, just like they always do, and then got together — not with a goal of finding a solution, but to hatch an escape plan aimed at making Republicans look like the bad guys. “Their whole goal here isn’t to solve the problem, it’s to have a show-vote that’s designed to fail, call it a day, and wait for someone else to pick up the pieces. Well, my message this morning is simple: There won’t be any easy off-ramps on this one. The days of 11th hour negotiations are over. “Washington Democrats may have gotten used to Republicans bailing them of their own lack of responsibility. But those days have passed. Look: they run the Senate. They run the White House. It’s time they started acting like it. As a first step, Senate Democrats need to honor their pledge to return to regular order. “Legislation that passes through this chamber should be written with input from both parties; it should get a fair, public vetting in committee; and Senators should get a chance to offer amendments. Just yesterday, the President’s own Treasury nominee called for a return to the regular order. So it’s time for the President and Senate Democrats to put the games and the gimmicks aside. “It’s time they stop waiting until the last minute to get things done around here. People are tired of it. I know my constituents in Kentucky are tired of it. They’ve had enough of the political theater. It’s time to put the stunts aside and work on solutions. That’s what we were sent here to do. We should do it.”
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Post by Press Release on Feb 19, 2013 13:49:12 GMT -5
Obama willing to cut first responders to fund green energy programs? Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement today as the President held another campaign event on the sequester: “Today’s event at the White House proves once again that more than three months after the November election, President Obama still prefers campaign events to common sense, bipartisan action. Surely the President won't cut funds to first responders when just last year Washington handed out an estimated $115 billion in payments to individuals who weren’t even eligible to receive them, or at a time when 11 different government agencies are funding 90 different green energy programs. That would be a terrible and entirely unnecessary choice by a President who claims to want bipartisan reform.”
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Post by Press Release on Mar 14, 2013 19:52:49 GMT -5
Pope Francis
McConnell Statement on Pope Francis I Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement today regarding the selection of Pope Francis I to head the Catholic church: “Catholics across Kentucky and the entire U.S. celebrate the election of Pope Francis I, and I join Americans of all faiths to congratulate him on becoming the spiritual leader of the world’s more than one billion Catholics. As a voice of clarity and force on the great moral challenges of our time, the Pope plays a uniquely constructive role in world affairs, and as a herald of the Christian message of charity and reconciliation he calls all of us to a greater recognition of the inherent dignity of all men and women. We wish him health, happiness, and strength in facing up to the responsibilities and the burdens of his office.”
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Post by Press Release on Mar 21, 2013 16:25:15 GMT -5
Democrat Budget: More Taxes, More Spending, More Debt Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Press Release
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the extreme and rehashed policies in the Democrats’ budget that will crush the middle class and grow the government, not the economy: “The Senate Democrat budget is extreme and unbalanced. “Here what we’d get if it passed. “A tax hike of up to $1.5 trillion, the largest in U.S. history. It will cost the average middle-class family thousands. Washington Democrats already just got hundreds of billions in new taxes, plus $1 trillion from Obamacare, so this would be on top of all that. “A nearly two-thirds increase in big-government spending. It would siphon a half-trillion out of the economy and into the hands of Washington bureaucrats and politicians. “Forty-two percent more debt, with each American owing $73,000. An average of 850,000 fewer jobs per year. And an average of more than 11,500 annual job losses in Kentucky. “Medicare would be allowed to go bankrupt in a few years. And It wouldn’t balance – ever. “Top Washington Democrats say they simply don’t care about balancing the budget anymore – and it shows. “Their budget won’t give Americans a better economy, real job creation, or the kind of deficit reduction our country needs – just a massive tax hike and more spending to ‘grow the bureaucracy from the pockets of the middle class out.’ “Democrats like to say budgets aren't just about dollars and cents, they're about values; well, what their budget tells me is that they’ve completely lost touch with the hopes and concerns of their constituents – that they're serving the needs of government instead of the needs of those who elected them. “The budget we waited four years for is just a rehash of the extreme policies that continue to pummel the middle class. “It’s time to grow the economy, not the government.”
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