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INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

December 10, 2007





Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell spoke on the Senate floor Monday in honor of International Human Rights Day and the ongoing situation in Burma:



“On this International Human Rights Day, I would like to take a moment to call attention to the tragic lack of human rights the world recently witnessed in Burma.



“Just a few months ago, we watched in hope as pro-democracy activists took to the streets in quiet protest against the oppressive policies of the State Peace and Development Council.



“Then we watched in horror as the Burmese regime showed its ugly face by putting down these peaceful protesters, killing many and leaving still more unaccounted for.



“Soon, the sounds of gunfire gave way to rumors of tortured prisoners and the rounding up of Buddhist monks who had sought nothing more than justice and peace and freedom.



“Unfortunately, the news cycle also gave way — to new stories and new images. And a world that had been outraged by what it saw in Burma soon moved on to other pressing things.



“But the U.S. Senate has not forgotten.



“We’re not fooled by the SPDC’s all-too-modest efforts at ‘dialogue’ with Aung San Suu Kyi.



“Nor are the people of Burma. Nor is the world.



“And so it’s my hope on this International Human Rights Day that the UN Security Council will this month turn its attention to consideration of an arms embargo on Burma.



“Burma faces no external threats. It uses its weapons not to defend itself, but to maintain its grip on power and to intimidate its own people.



“Several weeks ago, Senator Biden and I introduced S. 2257, the Burma Democracy Promotion Act of 2007, which would further tighten U.S. sanctions on the SPDC.



“A companion measure in the House is expected to be considered soon. It is my hope that in the very near future we can move to Burma sanctions legislation. In so doing we would reaffirm this body’s longstanding commitment to freedom and democracy in Burma.



“Let’s not forget the images that shook the world, nor the people who stood up against their oppressors, many of whom still suffer for the bravery they showed in those days.



“On this International Human Rights Day, let’s show them and the world we remember their struggle.”



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McCONNELL: DEM FUNDING ‘DEAL’ UNACCEPTABLE

December 8, 2007



‘While I appreciate the movement in the right direction on the part of Congressional Democrats, we must not overspend the taxpayer's money’



LOUISVILLE – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement Saturday regarding reports that Congressional Democrats were negotiating among themselves on ways to meet the Pentagon’s request for troop funding, but significantly exceed the President’s request on other funding bills:



“While it’s certainly encouraging to see Congressional Democrats stand up to the anti-war fringe and start the process of living up to Congress’ commitment to fund the troops in harm’s way, the rest of their self-negotiated ‘deal’ described in today’s press reports remains unacceptable to Congressional Republicans. The funding levels they are reportedly prepared to offer for their 11 unfinished funding bills is too much to ask of the American taxpayer.



“Moreover, the funds they reportedly are prepared to provide the troops are insufficient to adequately provide for our troops in the field and they deserve better from Congress than that.



“Finally, while I appreciate the movement in the right direction on the part of Congressional Democrats toward concluding this Congress, we must not overspend the taxpayer's money and we must protect our troops; the deal described in recent press reports falls short of that mark.



“We need to keep working together until we meet these two goals.”

Energy Bill is Another Choice: Bipartisan Accomplishment or Partisan Failure

December 7, 2007



‘The bill we are voting on today is a massive tax hike, not a serious attempt to make law’



Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Friday on cloture on the House-passed energy bill:



“There's a difference between passing bills—and actually making laws.



“The bill before us is a prime example: The Democrat leadership started with a bipartisan agreement that could be passed in both houses and signed by the President. In other words, it could become law. They’ve chosen, instead, to add the twin millstones of utility rate hikes and massive tax increases.



“The end result is that the House passed a bill—but it won’t become law.



“There's a difference between making a partisan point, and having an accomplishment.



“Again, we can look to this current bill as an example. Rather than take the elements of the bill that had near-universal support and have an accomplishment on behalf of their constituents, the Democrat leadership chose instead to make a partisan point.



“Now, I understand that the House is a different place, that the Speaker rules, as the Senate Majority Leader put it Wednesday, with an ‘Iron fist.’ And while she can muscle bills through the House on a party-line vote, it doesn’t work that way over here.



“We’ve shown that all year on the numerous political votes the majority has put on the floor. And we’ve shown that already this week on the AMT: When the Democrat leadership tried the my-way-or-the-highway approach, the bill failed; when they worked with us on a bill that could pass, we succeeded by a vote of 88-5. That was a success.



“The same is true of the farm bill: When the Democrat leadership tried to dictate to the minority what amendments we could offer, the Senate spun its wheels and got nowhere. But when the majority worked with us, the result was a mutually beneficial agreement that will soon lead to an accomplishment.



“But the bill we are voting on today is a massive tax hike, and a utility rate increase for consumers across the southeast. It is not a serious attempt to make law, and is not a serious attempt at an accomplishment. It is a partisan bill that must be improved or set aside.



“So let’s not waste even more time relearning the lessons of the past 11 months. If you're serious about an accomplishment, let’s fix this bill. Walking away from a bipartisan deal in favor of raising taxes and utility rates, as the Democrats in the House have done, will not make law. But working with us to find common ground to increase the use of renewable fuels and raise fuel economy standards to historic levels without costing American jobs, will.



“I stand ready to work with my colleagues on a realistic, bipartisan bill. But I will vote no on this partisan tax increase, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.”



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