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McConnell, Ryan, Hatch, Brady Statement on Administration’s Tax Plan

April 26, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following today’s tax reform announcement by the Trump Administration, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), and House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) issued the following joint statement:

“The principles outlined by the Trump Administration today will serve as critical guideposts for Congress and the Administration as we work together to overhaul the American tax system and ensure middle-class families and job creators are better positioned for the 21st century economy. Lower rates for individuals and families will allow them to keep more of their hard-earned money and empower them to invest more in their future. Getting tax rates down for American companies, big and small, will create new jobs and make the United States a more inviting place to do business. With an eye toward fairness and simplicity, we’re confident we can rebuild our tax code in a way that will grow our economy, better promote savings and investment, provide our job creators with a competitive advantage, and bring prosperity to all Americans.”

Economic Policies That Focus on Growth and Job Creation

April 26, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding this afternoon’s briefing on North Korea, President Trump’s nominees, and the upcoming government funding bill:

“North Korea's determined effort to field a nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile threatens the United States and our allies. Kim Jong-Un has, by all appearances, broken from a predictable cycle of escalation demonstrated by previous leaders, where the regime takes a provocative action, draws the U.S. into a negotiation, and extracts concessions. Instead, Kim appears willing to risk the disapproval of the U.N. and our regional allies by undertaking a breakneck testing program.

“The president has made clear that a North Korea that is armed with a nuclear-armed missile — a capability they have yet to test — is unacceptable to us and threatens our vital national security interest. Thus, in order to allow the Senate to better understand this threat, I asked the administration to brief all Senators on the issue, and the president graciously offered to hold the meeting at the White House. I encourage all Senators to attend this afternoon's meeting.

“Now on another matter. I’m pleased that the Senate voted yesterday to confirm Rod Rosenstein to serve as Deputy Attorney General, despite the unnecessary delay, and I look forward to advancing another nominee today.

“For the past eight years, burdensome regulations put forth by the Obama Administration have held our economy back and taken a toll on too many hardworking Americans. Fortunately, we now have an administration that has already proven its commitment to easing the regulatory burden on our economy and advancing policies that actually promote economic growth and job creation.

“The Department of Labor nominee before us today, Alexander Acosta, shares that commitment, and he has just the right experience to address these issues. Mr. Acosta was previously confirmed to three positions by voice votes here in the Senate — meaning not a single Senator of either party recorded a voted in opposition — so it’s no surprise that he’s earned a host of bipartisan support for his current nomination as well.

“We should confirm him without delay. The sooner we do, the sooner he can advance labor policies that put American workers, businesses, and our economy first.

“Now on another important matter currently being discussed here in the Senate. Conversations are ongoing about the way forward on a government spending bill. Our friends on the other side of the aisle sent me a letter asking for this bill to reject poison pill riders. I would suggest that, if they take their own advice, we can finish this negotiation and produce a good agreement that both sides can support.”

Majority Leader McConnell Introduces Judge Thapar from Kentucky at Nomination Hearing

'I commend President Trump on this nomination. Through this hearing, I think you will come to see the bright, fair, and dedicated man who will make an incredible addition to the Sixth Circuit.'

April 26, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today before members of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary in support of Judge Amul Thapar of Kentucky, President Trump’s nominee to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit:

“Today, it is my distinct privilege to introduce Judge Amul Thapar, of Kentucky, to this committee. The President has nominated him to serve as a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

“I commend President Trump on this nomination. Through this hearing, I think you will come to see the bright, fair, and dedicated man who will make an incredible addition to the Sixth Circuit. Indeed, on Monday the American Bar Association gave him their highest rating, unanimously well-qualified.

“When President Bush nominated Amul to be a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the Senate confirmed his nomination by a voice vote. I return today to speak again in strong support of his nomination to the Sixth Circuit and urge the committee’s favorable consideration.

“Since joining the Federal Judiciary in 2007, Amul has established a reputation as a keen legal mind who applies the law fairly to all who enter his courtroom. He has made an impact on his community, both on the bench and off. For example, he takes an active role in education, fostering the next generation of students, whether he is coaching a local high school’s mock trial team, or founding a chapter of the Street Law program, which sends law school students into underprivileged high schools to teach the foundations of our legal system.

“Judge Thapar has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, Vanderbilt Law School, and the Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law. He previously taught at Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Amul was the first South Asian American to become a federal judge. In 2015, he received the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award for paving the way for other Asian Pacific American attorneys. Recently, the Association has endorsed his nomination to the Sixth Circuit, noting that he ‘has demonstrated his excellence as a fair jurist who has the integrity and intellect to serve ably on the appellate court.’ I couldn’t agree more.

“What you’ll also find in Judge Thapar is a jurist who is always looking for innovative ways to further the cause of justice. In September of last year, he implemented the first Swift Certain Fair program in the country. From its inception, the program was designed to reduce recidivism rates by ensuring that post-conviction offenders who violate the terms of their supervised release are sanctioned promptly and in proportion to the violation, while also properly including program incentives to encourage positive behavior.

“Even before he began his service as a district judge, Amul distinguished himself in the legal field. After graduating from the Boalt Hall School of Law of the University of California, Berkley, he clerked for Judge Nathaniel R. Jones of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and Judge S. Arthur Spiegel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

“After litigating complex cases in private practice in both federal and state courts, Amul served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in both Washington D.C. and in Cincinnati, Ohio. Because of his outstanding work as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Amul earned a well-deserved promotion to be the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky in 2006. With this new assignment, Amul built relationships with state and local law-enforcement agencies to root out public corruption, vote buying, and racketeering. He placed a special emphasis on internet safety, speaking to groups about the dangers of online child pornography and child exploitation.

“Quickly becoming one of the most respected U.S. Attorneys in the country, Amul was appointed to serve on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys. He continued to address the pressing issues facing Kentucky as the chairman of the Controlled Substances and Asset Forfeiture Subcommittee.

“As this hearing progresses, you will see that Judge Thapar is a well-qualified jurist, and a man of integrity. He will bring a top legal mind to serve on the Sixth Circuit. Not only has Judge Thapar found great professional success, he has a wonderful family, which is very proud of him and his accomplishments. His wife, Kim, their sons Zachary and Nicholas, and their daughter Carmen, join him today.

“I would like to recognize Amul’s mother, Veena Bhalla, and his father and step-mother, Raj and Rama Thapar. I’d also like to recognize retired Sixth Circuit Judge Nathaniel Jones, who is here to support his former law clerk. Also in attendance are several of Judge Thapar’s former clerks.

“With a distinguished record of public service, Amul is prepared to continue to serve his country, this time on the Sixth Circuit. I appreciate this committee’s consideration of his nomination, and I look forward to his confirmation. Thank you for allowing me to testify on his behalf.”

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