U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s eNewsletter - - Week of November 28, 2016

Leader McConnell Honors Chairman Rogers’ Distinguished Committee Service

'Chairman Rogers is legendary in Congress and back home for his relentless focus on the concerns and priorities of the people of the Fifth District'

Earlier this week, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered remarks on the Senate floor honoring U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers’ service as Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations. Congressman Hal Rogers represents Kentucky's Fifth District. 

Senator McConnell paid tribute to Congressman Rogers as his term as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee draws to a close at the end of this 114th Congress. Senator McConnell spoke about the extraordinary tenure of Chairman Rogers, saying:

“As chairman, Hal has made oversight of federal spending a top priority, and his Appropriations Committee has held more than 600 hearings to ensure that federal tax dollars were being spent properly.

“Under his leadership, the Appropriations Committee has gotten results, like reducing wasteful spending by $126 billion in total annual spending cuts since fiscal year 2010.

“Hal is only the third Kentuckian to chair the House Appropriations Committee — the last was Congressman William Natcher, who held the position until 1994 — and the only Republican chairman from the commonwealth. I know that becoming Appropriations Committee chairman was a great achievement for Hal and something he worked hard to earn.”

Senator McConnell also said, "I want to thank Chairman Rogers for his steady hand at the helm of the House Appropriations Committee for the last six years and for all he has done for Kentucky. Both Kentucky and the nation are thankful for his service."

Click the image below to view the Senator's floor remarks

McConnell Works with City of Paducah to Strengthen Infrastructure

Senator Thanked by Mayor for Helping Secure Grant for Paducah Floodwall

On Tuesday, Senator McConnell announced that the City of Paducah was awarded a competitive federal grant from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to help the city rehabilitate a pump station for the Paducah floodwall.

The local media, Paducah Sun and WPSD-TV, reported:

McConnell contacted the Delta Regional Authority on behalf of Paducah, informing the agency that Paducah's floodwall minimizes flood risk for 11,000 acres and more than 25,000 people.

"This is great news for the city of Paducah and I was happy to assist Mayor Gayle Kaler and local officials on this important project," McConnell said. "This critical funding will enable the city to update its current pump station that is experiencing pumping capacity loss, which if failed, could potentially lead to devastating flooding."

Paducah Mayor Gayle Kaler said, "We would like to thank Senator McConnell for writing a letter to the Delta Regional Authority on behalf of Paducah and McCracken County residents. The protection provided by our floodwall and the pump stations are a top infrastructure priority for The City of Paducah. This DRA grant will be a great help in achieving that goal."

Senate to Vote on Critical Medical Research & Innovation Legislation

Working to get bipartisan bill to the President's desk as soon as possible

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the 21st Century Cures bill with overwhelming bipartisan support, and the Senate is expected to vote on the legislation next week. 21st Century Cures is a medical innovation bill that can have a substantial impact for families across the country. On Thursday, Senator McConnell spoke about the bill on the Senate floor:

"It supports medical research, including promoting regenerative medicine. It provides real funding to help combat the prescription opioid epidemic that’s swept our nation, particularly places like my home state of Kentucky. And it improves mental health programs, among other bipartisan priorities...Let’s work together to send it to the president’s desk as soon as possible."

Follow Senator McConnell's press offices on Twitter at @McConnellPress and @SenateMajLeader to stay up to date on the latest on what is happening with the bipartisan 21st Century Cures bill.

Senate Works to Conclude Business of 114th Congress; Looks Forward to 115th

Throughout the week, Senator McConnell spoke on the Senate floor regarding the work remaining before the 114th Congress comes to a close. The Senate has a number of issues to wrap up including the Water Resources Development Act, the Energy Policy Modernization Act, and the National Defense Authorization Act.

Senator McConnell hosted a media stakeout in the U.S. Capitol and talked about the Senate, under Republican leadership, making progress in passing bipartisan legislation and getting the Senate back to work for the American people.

Also this week, Senator McConnell welcomed back to his office in the U.S. Capitol, Vice President-elect Mike Pence, for a productive meeting discussing issues important in moving America forward in the 115th Congress.

Visiting Washington, D.C.

Every week, many Kentuckians from across the Commonwealth visit Senator McConnell's office in the U.S. Capitol. If you’re planning a trip to Washington, D.C., please check out Senator McConnell's website and visit his office while you are in town. Also, the Senator’s office has information on tours, places to visit and local restaurants to help make your trip to the nation’s capital one to remember.

Keeping Up With Senator McConnell

Keep up with things happening in our nation's capital and Kentucky by becoming a fan of Senator McConnell’s Facebook page and following on Instagram at @McConnellPress. Receive news updates and alerts from Senator McConnell’s Press Office by following on Twitter at @McConnellPress.

For a more behind-the-scenes view of the Senate Majority Leader's office, be sure to follow @SenateMajLdr on Twitter and @SenateMajLdr on Instagram.

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