Senator McConnell Comments on Governor Bevin Signing Charter Schools Legislation into Law
March 22, 2017
I commend the Kentucky General Assembly and Governor Matt Bevin for their work to make charter schools happen in the Commonwealth.
Recent Press Releases
The Legacy of Obamacare: Increased Costs, Diminishing Choices and Broken Promises
‘Obamacare is a direct assault on the middle class, and it will continue to get worse unless we act. Both in Congress and the administration, we are working to fulfill our commitment to the American people.’
March 22, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding Congress’ commitment to repeal and replace Obamacare:
“We’ve all seen the headlines. We’ve all heard the heartbreaking stories. We’ve all watched as health insurance markets have edged closer to collapse. And we’ve noticed a common theme: Obamacare is failing in Kentucky and around the country.
“In my home state, insurance premiums increased by up to 47 percent. As insurers flee the market, nearly half of the counties in my state have only one option for an insurer on the exchange. And many families’ deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses have skyrocketed to a point that their plans are too expensive to actually use. In other words, they have health insurance but not necessarily health care.
“The legacy of Obamacare is one of increased costs, diminishing choices, and broken promises. In four elections in a row, Kentuckians have overwhelmingly rejected this failed law. The pain caused by Obamacare is real for millions of Americans.
“Listen to this small business owner from Versailles, Kentucky. She wrote to my office asking for relief. Here’s what she said:
“‘The first year of Obamacare our monthly premiums tripled,’ she wrote, and now, ‘Our current plan will be discontinued … at the end of this year… this is prohibitive for us. We are getting desperate and discouraged.’
“Unfortunately, stories like hers are hardly unique — not in Kentucky, and not across America — because too many are suffering under Obamacare.
“Obamacare is a direct assault on the middle class, and it will continue to get worse unless we act. Both in Congress and the administration, we are working to fulfill our commitment to the American people.
“We remain committed to the repeal and replacement of Obamacare with health care policies that work. When the House finishes its work on the Obamacare repeal legislation, I look forward to taking it up here in the Senate. The administration will continue working to deliver relief and stabilize health markets as well.
“Americans are ready for a better way forward after the failure of Obamacare, and I urge all my colleagues to work together so we can deliver it.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding Supreme Court nominee, Judge Neil Gorsuch:
“As day two of Judge Neil Gorsuch’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings continued, Senators and the American people were able to learn more about his experience as a jurist and his aptitude to serve on the High Court.
“We heard directly from Judge Gorsuch about his views on the role of a judge — to be fair and impartial, independent and not beholden to one party over another. We heard directly from Judge Gorsuch about his views of the role of the Court — to uphold the Constitution and interpret the laws as written, not legislating from the bench.
“We saw him display a masterful knowledge of the law, along with independence, thoughtfulness, and just the kind of judicial temperament we expect in a Supreme Court justice. And news outlets across the country took notice. This is from a CNN report:
“‘Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch came to the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday prepared to deliver a clear message: I'm a judge, not a politician…Sitting at a small table, he turned to listen to each senator as they spoke, hour after hour, carefully writing notes before launching into his replies.’ As CNN noted, the questions ‘never rattled him’ and ‘he showed command of the law.’
“NPR took note of Judge Gorsuch’s temperament saying: ‘He kept an even keel throughout the day, rarely betraying more than a hint of impatience or pique.’
“Here’s one take from The Washington Post: ‘Gorsuch is not easily flustered,’ it said. ‘Gorsuch presented himself as the picture of a cool, calm, self-assured justice…. His face often broke into a relaxed smile. He appeared to be listening to every word every senator said, and he rarely stumbled.’
“And here’s another take from the Post: ‘After more than 10 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, [Judge Neil] Gorsuch was prepared for how to respond to questions about judicial independence and how a judge should consider a decision outside his personal political ideology.’
“These are observations made from outside viewers. Their insights reflect what we’ve been saying for weeks: that Judge Gorsuch is exceptionally qualified to serve on the Supreme Court.
“I hope our Democratic friends take notice and give him the fair consideration he deserves — not invent more excuses not to. Because Judge Gorsuch has performed exceedingly well, some Democrats are desperately trying to come up with a reason to delay the process, just as they've done all year on other nominations.
“The Judiciary Committee is continuing its work today, and as it does so, I am confident we’ll continue to see support grow for Judge Gorsuch.”
