Recent Press Releases

Washington, D.C.U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Ukraine aid bill and the importance of allowing members to offer amendments to the legislation:

“I’d like to start with a few words about the legislation the Senate is considering this week on Ukraine. It touches on the jurisdiction of many committees, and is of high interest to Senators on both sides of the aisle.

“How the United States meets the Russian invasion of Crimea matters – it’s related to the future vitality of NATO, the negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, and our own energy policy regarding the export of natural gas.

“So we’ve got members on both sides of the aisle working closely. And there’s a decent amount of common ground here, which is good: nearly everyone agrees that the Ukrainian people deserve our support.

“Most of us also agree that we should back that support up with meaningful legislation — not just to show our support for an independent, democratic, and free Ukraine, but also to show President Putin that there will be costs for his actions.

“So you’d think it wouldn’t be that difficult to get to a solution here. But roadblocks keep popping up.

“First, there was a House-passed bill prior to the recess that would have provided loan guarantees to Ukraine. It was blocked by the Democrat Leader. We should have passed it.

“Now, the Majority Leader seems determined to blow up the process too. Yesterday, he actually came to the floor to effectively blame Republicans for the invasion of Crimea. I mean, who writes this stuff? It’s not just completely unhelpful, it also injects hyper-partisanship into the process at a time when we should be working together.

“And at this point, it appears the Majority Leader might even make things even worse by, yet again, shutting down the amendment process. I hope that’s not the case. This issue is too important.

“Look: this bill cannot pass the House or become law in its current form—it must be amended.

“Not only have many members not yet had the chance to offer amendments in committee, but so many developments have unfolded in this crisis in the weeks since the bill was drafted that the legislation will have to be modified – at least to take those realities into account.  And in order for it to become law, the controversial IMF provision must be removed.

“This simply cannot be a take or leave it situation. That’s just nonsensical.

“The people we were sent here to represent deserve better. And we should give them that.

“That means allowing a sensible amendment process. And it means dropping the kind of wild partisan accusations we’ve seen – attacks that will only make it that much harder to get to an effective, bipartisan solution.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell co-sponsored bipartisan legislation today to assist Kentuckians with disabilities and parents who have children with disabilities by creating a tax-deferred savings account to be used for education, housing, transportation, employment support, and other qualified disability-related expenses.

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2013, creates a tax-deferred savings account (529 plan) for individuals and families to help pay disability-related expenses without jeopardizing access to their federal and state disability benefits. Previously, Senator McConnell led a bipartisan effort to enact legislation to offer federal tax relief for college savings plans through creation of the 529 plan.

“I have heard from many parents across Kentucky who have children with disabilities who find it difficult to encourage their independence and save money for the future,” Senator McConnell said. “I proudly support the ABLE Act on behalf of the Kentucky families, children, and individuals living with disabilities, and I look forward to working with Kentucky families and organizations to help get this legislation through the Senate.”

National Down Syndrome Society DS-Ambassador Lynn Braker of Lexington, Kentucky said, “It really means so much to my family and the Down syndrome community as a whole that Senator McConnell has cosponsored the ABLE Act. His leadership and willingness to sign on to this monumental bill means a much better life for my son, Anderson, and the millions of people with Down syndrome and other disabilities in the US. The ABLE Act will help individuals with disabilities realize and achieve their own hopes, dreams, and aspirations, and we are thrilled that Senator McConnell is committed to helping us make that happen.”

Anne Gregory, from Louisville and the Kentucky Autism Speaks state coordinator, who advocated on behalf of the ABLE bill during a visit to Senator McConnell’s office said, “I am so pleased to learn that Senator McConnell is co-sponsoring this critical legislation benefiting families affected by autism and other disabilities. A family can save tax-free college funds for their children under a 529 PLAN; it is only equitable they should be able to do the same for the life-long expenses of their loved ones with disabilities, which typically far exceed the average college tuition."

Senator McConnell has heard from and met with a number of individuals regarding the issue, including Rachel Putnam of Frankfort, Kentucky, who visited Senator McConnell on February 27, 2014 to present the senator with the National Down Syndrome Society’s Champion of Change Award.

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement regarding the one year anniversary of the trial of notorious abortionist Kermit Gosnell began in Philadelphia:

"It was one year ago this week that Americans across the country first learned the name of a Philadelphia abortionist named Kermit Gosnell. The Gosnell trial shocked the conscience of the nation and awakened many to the dangerous conditions that can exist at abortion clinics nationwide. It prompted a renewed commitment to ensuring that health and safety standards at these clinics are actually enforced, and it led to the humane effort to ensure that late-term babies who have developed to the point that they are capable of feeling pain are protected from rogue doctors and lax regulators alike. At the federal level, this effort resulted in the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which passed the House last summer in a historic pro-life vote. Senator Lindsey Graham has sponsored a companion bill in the Senate, and I am proud to stand with the Pro-Life Women’s Caucus in Congress and a clear majority of women nationwide in support of this common-sense legislation. It is time for America to join the ranks of most other developed nations around the world and restrict abortion at least at the point at which science tells us that unborn babies are capable of feeling pain. On this anniversary of the Gosnell trial, let’s show the world that we remember those who have been victimized by people like Kermit Gosnell and unite in this positive and life-affirming effort to safeguard the most vulnerable among us. Let’s take up this important pro-life legislation and send it to the President.”