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McConnell Comments on FAA, Gas Prices

May 6, 2008



‘Americans who are paying close to $4 a gallon for gasoline don’t particularly care which party comes up with the idea; they just want action’



Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday regarding the FAA bill and the need for Congressional action on the rising price of gas:



“The underlying FAA bill that came out of the Commerce Committee has wide bipartisan support.



“The provisions that came out of the Finance Committee that are directly related to aviation financing have wide bipartisan support.



“This bill was on a fast track to passage, and to improving airline safety in this country.



“Unfortunately, our friends across the aisle bogged it down with extraneous provisions that do nothing to improve airline safety, and that don’t belong on this bill. And then, to prevent any changes to those provisions, they used a procedure that used to be rare to block amendments and improvements to the bill.



“So, rather than quickly pass an airline safety bill that has broad bipartisan support, our friends on the other side have decided it’s more important to fight for a few pet projects.



“Rather than quickly finish the bill and move onto gas prices, they’ve decided to dig in and fight for a few extra provisions for a few extra senators.



“The right choice is clear: We should quickly pass the bipartisan, aviation-related portions of the FAA bill and move onto legislation that addresses the high price Americans are paying at the pump.



“Republicans were ready with an energy proposal a week ago, a plan that gets at the root of the problem rather than an increased dependence on OPEC.



“The Republican plan would increase the supply of American energy and bolster American jobs, while lowering our dependence on foreign oil.



“Meanwhile, Democrat suggestions for addressing high gas prices ranged from driving slower to more frequent oil changes.



“We’re eager to have that debate.



“One wonders if the reason our friends are stalling on the FAA bill is that they’re worried about exposing the fact that they have no plan for gas prices.



“But Americans who are paying close to $4 a gallon for gasoline don’t particularly care which party comes up with the idea; they just want action.”



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McConnell: A Compromise for the FEC

May 6, 2008



‘This compromise is a blueprint for a fully functioning, bipartisan FEC—a goal we all share—and an end to the bottleneck created by the Democrats’ opposition to one well-qualified nominee’



Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement Tuesday regarding the President’s intent to nominate three new members of the Federal Election Commission, reaching a compromise that can lead to a ‘fully functioning, bipartisan FEC’:



“This compromise is a blueprint for a fully functioning, bipartisan FEC—a goal we all share—and an end to the bottleneck created by the Democrats’ opposition to one well-qualified nominee.



“The White House accommodated Sen. Reid's request for the retention of Commissioner Weintraub and by providing nominees for a full six-member commission.



“Similarly, the Majority Leader's commitment to a 'speedy review' of the outstanding Republican nominees the White House submitted means that we can soon have a quorum at the FEC.



“The Senate should quickly consider these nominees and schedule confirmation votes so that we can avoid any further delay in the FEC's action.”



The President intends to nominate:



Cynthia L. Bauerly for the seat currently held by Robert D. Lenhard;

Donald F. McGahn for the seat currently held by David M. Mason;

Caroline C. Hunter for the seat that was held by Michael E. Toner



Ellen Weintraub, at the Majority Leader’s request, would remain in her current position at the FEC. The nominations of Steven T. Walther and Hans A. von Spakovsky are currently pending before the Senate.



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McConnell Comments on Burma

May 6, 2008



Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor Tuesday regarding Burma:

“My prayers go out to the families of those killed in this past weekend’s natural disaster. Initial estimates report that the cyclone killed more than twenty two thousand people and tens of thousands more are missing.

“Yesterday, First Lady Laura Bush announced that the United States is prepared to provide assistance and supplies to Burma, but at this time the government has not accepted our offer.

“I would urge the Burmese government to move quickly and accept the offer of the American people and act in the best interests of the population.

“On another note, earlier today I attended the signing ceremony for legislation to award Aung San Suu Kyi the Congressional Gold Medal.

“I want to thank the President and the First Lady for their continued support on this issue.

“For more than 20 years, Aung San Suu Kyi’s support for justice and democracy has placed her at odds with the tyranny and oppression of the Burmese junta.

“She and her supporters have combated the brutality of the junta with peaceful protest and resistance. “Suu Kyi has chosen dignity as her weapon, and she has found allies around the world to aid her in this struggle.

“By awarding Suu Kyi the Congressional Gold Medal, we are letting the world know that the American people stand with her and the freedom-loving people of Burma.”

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