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McConnell Comments on KCA President Bill Bissett

September 21, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following comments today regarding the departure of Kentucky Coal Association (KCA) president, Bill Bissett:

“As president of the Kentucky Coal Association, Bill Bissett has led the effort to spread awareness of the devastation the industry has seen over the past several years amid wrongheaded government policies and daunting challenges within the energy market. He has been on the front lines fighting against government overregulation and overreach. I’ve been proud to stand alongside Bill to defend Kentucky’s coal workers and their families against an administration dead set on waging a War on Coal, a war which has contributed to the closure of mines and an increase in unemployment in my home state of Kentucky. Bill’s departure from KCA is a great loss for the entire commonwealth, and he will certainly be missed. Elaine and I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”

McConnell Honors Caldwell County Family for Being ‘Angels in Adoption’

Senator McConnell Assists Kentucky Family With Their International Adoption of Twins From Haiti

September 21, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell welcomed today members of the Wynn family from Princeton, Kentucky to his leadership office in the United States Capitol.

Senator McConnell congratulated the Wynns for participating in the 2016 Angels in Adoption program, which is a public awareness campaign organized by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Each year, Members of Congress may recommend constituents who are helping to improve the lives of foster children and orphans. This year, Senator McConnell recommended Brian and Johannah Wynn for the honor, as well as their four children, Jaxson, Jamus, Chloe, and Carter.

Senator McConnell assisted Brian and Johannah with their international adoption of twins Chloe and Carter from Haiti. The Wynns had anticipated bringing their adopted twins home in August 2015. Unfortunately, changes in Haitian adoption law required them to resubmit their paperwork. The Wynns sought Senator McConnell’s assistance to help guide them through this process. Senator McConnell’s office provided them with updates on the legal changes and coordinated on their behalf with the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, the U.S. Department of State, and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to complete their adoption. The Wynns brought home their twins in January of this year.

“It was an honor to welcome Brian and Johannah Wynn to our nation’s capital today and personally congratulate their family on becoming Angels in Adoption,” Senator McConnell said. “Meeting Chloe and Carter and seeing their smiles reminded me of the importance of assisting families who want nothing more than to open their homes to a child in a need. The Wynns’ dedication to providing a loving home for their family serves as inspiration to other families facing similar challenges.”

Brian and Johannah Wynn said, “We truly appreciate Senator McConnell’s commitment to Kentucky families, like ours. We had a challenging experience adopting our twins from Haiti, but we are grateful for Senator McConnell’s help in completing our family through the international adoption process.”


L-R: Brian Wynn, Chloe, Carter, Johannah, Sen. McConnell

McConnell: Industrial Hemp Research to Advance in Kentucky

At McConnell’s Request, Obama Administration Clarifies Industrial Hemp’s Eligibility for Federal Research Grants

September 19, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued guidance clarifying that industrial hemp research programs are eligible for existing federal research grants.

Last year, Senator McConnell led a bipartisan Congressional letter urging Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to clarify conflicting information regarding industrial hemp’s eligibility for federal research grants. Additionally, Senator McConnell secured a measure urging the Secretary to clarify the Agency’s authority to award federal funds to industrial hemp research projects deemed compliant with the 2014 Farm Bill in the Senate FY 2017 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Senator Rand Paul was a signatory of the bipartisan letter and supports the language included in the appropriations bill.

The announcement from USDA that certified pilot programs for industrial hemp are now eligible for National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) federal grant funding, is a welcome clarification that will hopefully provide ample support to a number of pilot programs in Kentucky.

“USDA determining that industrial hemp research projects are eligible to compete for federal funding through existing grant programs is a good development for Kentucky farmers and helps ensure that industrial hemp pilot programs can continue with federal assistance,” said Senator McConnell. “It also demonstrates that the federal government agrees that this is a crop worth researching. Senator Paul and I have heard from countless Kentuckians regarding industrial hemp’s potential to expand agricultural opportunities for farmers and grow our economy and we look forward to continuing to work with the Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles, researchers in the state, and our colleagues in Congress to ensure that hemp research continues to move forward and that Kentucky remains the lead state in demonstrating how industrial hemp could once again be a cash crop for Kentucky.”

“Historically, Kentucky was a leader in hemp production, and it is already staking out its position at the head of the pack once again,” said Senator Paul. “I’m pleased to see the USDA respond to Kentucky farmers’ concerns by officially leveling the playing field for industrial hemp pilot programs.”

Background:

This clarification builds on Senator McConnell’s work in the 2014 Farm Bill, legislation which gave state agricultural commissioners and universities the federal authority to cultivate industrial hemp for pilot programs and therefore. Senator McConnell secured a long-awaited federal victory for industrial hemp production in Kentucky by crafting this language in order to give then-Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer the authority to implement industrial hemp pilot programs.

In 2013, after long discussions with then-Agriculture Commissioner James Comer on the history of hemp production in Kentucky as well as the potential future economic benefits of again producing industrialized hemp in the state, Senator McConnell and Senator Paul agreed that researching its production for future viability as a cash crop could be a positive development for Kentucky’s farm families and economy. Senator McConnell began working with Comer while he was Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture to make sure that a measure to allow for federal recognition of industrial hemp research in Kentucky made it into the 2014 Farm Bill. Comer’s leadership in paving the way forward for industrial hemp in our state continues today with current Commissioner Ryan Quarles' efforts to continue the growth of industrial hemp production/research in Kentucky. There are 10 colleges and universities participating in hemp research in Kentucky. For 2016, over 4,600 acres have been approved for industrial hemp production and research among 179 program participants.

Senator Rand Paul first brought hemp to Kentucky’s attention when he cosponsored legislation in the 112th Congress that would have excluded industrial hemp from federal regulation under the Controlled Substance Act. Currently, the Controlled Substance Act does not distinguish industrial hemp from marijuana, treating both as Schedule I drugs. Industrial hemp lacks the high quantities of the psychoactive ingredient THC found in marijuana. Senator Paul, along with Senator McConnell, cosponsored this legislation when it was reintroduced in the 113th Congress.

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