News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement after meeting with President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence and former colleague, Senator Dan Coats (R-IN):

“Dan will do an outstanding job as Director of National Intelligence in President Trump’s administration. Dan’s service in the Senate included years on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Armed Services Committee. He is well versed in our foreign policy interests and the threats faced by our nation. We live in dangerous times so it is imperative to proceed with confirmations without delay, especially when it comes to key national security nominees. Dan is singularly well suited to the handle the responsibilities of the Director of National Intelligence, is a trusted friend and I look forward to his success in this new role.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) appeared on Fox News Sunday this morning. The following are excerpts from his interview:

McConnell on Repealing and Replacing Obamacare

“We are working in connection with the administration to have an orderly process of repealing Obamacare and replacing it. So let me talk a minute about the status quo. What did Bill Clinton say about Obamacare last year? He said ‘it's the craziest thing you've ever seen.’ Eight out of 10 Americans want it entirely replaced or dramatically changed. Even if Hillary Clinton had won the election, we would be revisiting Obamacare. The status quo is not an option.

“So we are going to move carefully, in conjunction with the administration, to repeal and replace it with things like Health Savings Accounts, interstate health insurance sales, and high-risk pools at the state level to take care of people who have pre-existing conditions. All of these things can work. We want to move the power out to the states and allow them to develop healthcare programs that work for them.”

McConnell on Confirming President Trump’s Cabinet Nominees

“I'm confident we will [confirm the president’s cabinet nominees]. What’s been unfortunate is that all I asked for of my colleague, Senator Schumer, was to treat President Trump the same way as we treated President Obama.

“He got seven of them on the first day. We got two. They even delayed the CIA until Monday for some inexplicable reason.”

McConnell on Confirming President Trump’s Supreme Court Nominee

“I'm confident we will get a Supreme Court nominee confirmed. I expect an outstanding nominee sometime soon. I think it's noteworthy to look at how the Republican minority handled Bill Clinton in his first administration. Both of his first two nominees, Ginsberg and Breyer, no filibuster. Obama and his first term, two nominees, no filibuster. We think our nominee ought to be treated the same way.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor congratulating President Trump on his Inauguration, and outlining the status of Senate consideration of Cabinet nominations:

“In November’s election, the American people called for a new direction, a change from the last eight years. Today, we took a meaningful step toward that new direction, as we inaugurated a new President of the United States.

“I think it’s important for all Americans — regardless of party — to remember the significance of Inauguration Day, as we celebrate our nation’s rich electoral tradition and begin to move our country forward together.

“It’s always an honor to participate in the historical transition of power and the ceremonies surrounding it. Today was certainly no exception.

“On behalf of the Senate, I’d like to express our gratitude to each individual — from law enforcement personnel to inaugural committee staff to congressional staff and volunteers — whose efforts made this event a success. I would like to again congratulate President Trump and Vice President Pence on today’s inauguration. We are eager to work with you and the Administration in advancing policies that can improve the lives of the American people.

“So today marks a new beginning. We’re faced with many new opportunities. We’re faced with some new challenges too. I’ll have more to say on that in the coming days. But for now, the Senate remains hard at work as we move forward with the confirmation process of President Trump’s nominees. We’ll have an opportunity to confirm some today.

“It’s imperative to proceed with confirmations without delay, especially when it comes to key national and economic security nominees.

“I urge colleagues to remember that we worked with the Administration of former President Obama after he was first inaugurated.

“We confirmed seven members of his cabinet the day he took office, and nearly the entire cabinet was filled within two weeks.

“The Senate should work in the same spirit with the current Administration and put the rest of President Trump’s team in place as soon as possible.

“It’s very important that we confirm General Mattis and General Kelly to their critical positions as the secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security. But that’s not enough. We live in dangerous times. As the Democratic Leader noted earlier today, “We face threats foreign and domestic”. It is critical for the President to have a full national security team on Day One. That includes, in particular, the Director of the CIA.

“It makes no sense to leave this post open. Not for another week, not for another day, not for another hour. America’s enemies will not pause in plotting, planning and training simply because the Democrats refuse to vote. The American people expect more.

“Earlier today the Director and Deputy Director of the CIA resigned. We need to confirm a new director today. We need to confirm the rest of the Cabinet quickly as well. Republicans treated a newly inaugurated President Obama’s nominees fairly, and Democrats should do so now. Our country is counting on it.

“We can have as much debate time as requested by our Democrat colleagues, but at the end of debate today, we should vote.

“I’d also like to offer a few words regarding our outgoing President.

“As we say farewell to President Obama, I think it’s worth once again reflecting on the significance of his election and the historical achievement it represented in terms of our country’s past. That’s something both he — and our country — should be proud of.

“Now, it’s no secret that President Obama and I haven’t always seen eye-to-eye. Over the years we’ve pursued different sets of legislative priorities. Everyone here knows that. The American people know that too.

“But I think I speak for all Americans when I thank our former President for his tremendous service to our Nation. And — as can be said of all First Families — he and his family have made many personal sacrifices over the past eight years. But through it all, they’ve done so with dignity and grace.

“So to our 44th President, I’d say…

“For your leadership, we are grateful.

“We wish you, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha all the best as you embark on this new chapter of your lives.”

Recent Press Releases

Majority Leader McConnell’s Statement on Senator Dan Coats

January 23, 2017

Leader McConnell on ‘Fox News Sunday’

‘Even if Hillary Clinton had won the election, we would be revisiting Obamacare. The status quo is not an option.’

January 22, 2017

McConnell Congratulates President Trump

‘I think it’s important for all Americans — regardless of party — to remember the significance of Inauguration Day, as we celebrate our nation’s rich electoral tradition and begin to move our country forward together.’

January 20, 2017