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McConnell to Senate Democrats: Stop Delaying Defense Bill

'Critically, this bill will also help honor our commitment to service members, their families, and veterans — authorizing raises, supporting wounded warriors, and delivering better health care and benefits for the men and women who stand on guard for us every day.’

May 25, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the National Defense Authorization Act:

“After two days of needless delay from across the aisle, this morning we’ll vote to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act, and hopefully adopt that motion quickly thereafter. This critical defense bill passed committee on a strong bipartisan basis, there’s no reason for further delay from our Democratic colleagues.

“The National Defense Authorization Act authorizes funds and sets out policy for our military annually. It's always an important bill. It’s an especially important bill today.

“Consider the multitude of threats facing us from nearly every corner of the world.

“Consider the need to start preparing our armed services for the many global threats the next President will be forced to confront.

“As I’ve noted before, some of the most senior national security officials within this administration — like Secretary of Defense Carter and General Dunford, or those recently retired from service like retired General Campbell — have spoken of the need to better position the next President in theaters from Afghanistan to Asia to Libya. So whomever that President is, regardless of party, we should take action now to help our next commander-in-chief in this year of transition.

“That’s what the defense legislation before the Senate will help us do. 

• It will support our allies and partners — authorizing funds to combat ISIL, preserve gains in Afghanistan, increase readiness at NATO, and assist friends like Ukraine.
• It will enhance military readiness — providing more of the equipment, training, and resources our service members need.
• And it will help keep our country safe — getting us better prepared to confront emerging threats like cyber warfare, terrorism, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

“Critically, this bill will also help honor our commitment to service members, their families, and veterans — authorizing raises, supporting wounded warriors, and delivering better health care and benefits for the men and women who stand on guard for us every day.

“This bill contains sweeping reforms designed to advance American innovation and preserve our military’s technological edge. The funding level it authorizes is the same as what President Obama requested in his budget. And like I said earlier, it passed the Armed Services Committee on a strong bipartisan vote — 23 to 3.

“The Armed Services Chairman, Senator McCain, knows what it means to serve. He’s always on guard for the men and women of our military. This bill is a reflection of his commitment.

“It’s a commitment to them, and it’s a commitment to every American — to preparing our country in this year of transition for both the threats we face today and the threats yet to emerge.”

McConnell Encourages Senate to Help Middle Class by Overturning Obama Regulatory Scheme

May 24, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding a legislative measure that would protect working families and smaller savers from the latest burdensome regulation by the Obama Administration:

“This Administration has been on a long regulatory march for years now, and too often, its regulations end up hurting the very Americans they purport to help.

“Though issued in the name of greater equality, it’s actually the well-off and well-connected who are best positioned to deal with these new regulatory schemes. Meanwhile, purported beneficiaries — like working and Middle Class Americans — too often end up with higher costs and less access to things they need.

“We’ve seen it happen with Obamacare. We’ve seen it happen to families and businesses that can't get a loan due to Dodd-Frank.

“And in the case of the so-called ‘Fiduciary Rule,’ we are talking about a set of regulations that will reduce access to investment advice for those struggling to save for retirement. I have sincere concerns about what this could mean not only for the ability of investment advisors to provide quality financial advice, but also for the ability of consumers to seek affordable retirement options.

“Today the Senate will have a chance to stand up for smaller savers and Middle Class families by voting for a disapproval measure before us — a disapproval measure to overturn a set of regulations many believe will make it harder for these families to save for retirement.

“Some have estimated that investment fees could more than double under this regulation. What this means is that many consumers could risk losing access to quality, low-cost retirement advice, and many financial advisors may not be able to offer sound financial products that provide peace of mind to their clients. But don’t take my word for it. Many Kentuckians have voiced their concerns too.

“I’ve received thousands of pieces of correspondence from constituents who fear the potential effects of this regulation. I received one letter from Prospect from someone with a small independent insurance marketing company. Obviously, given the historic regulatory burden this rule places on the financial services and insurance industries, particularly on small businesses, he is concerned about the impact of this rule on his small firm. But he also worries about the impact this rule will have on the families that he is helping to prepare for retirement.

“He writes: ‘This rule makes it virtually impossible for…independent life insurance agents to provide valuable guidance to middle-class America, and will cause irreparable harm to the citizens the rule was designed to protect.’

“The regulation could potentially discourage investment advisors from taking on clients with smaller accounts. These smaller accounts represent everyday Americans trying to plan for their future, who now could have less access to sound investment advice.

“The notices are coming for small savers – who are likely to hear something like, 'Sorry, but due to new regulations, we will no longer be able to service your account.' And again, if you make a lot of money, you’re likely to do just fine and still have plenty of access to retirement advice. But it is the little guy who’s likely to be harmed here. This is why, from the moment these regulations were proposed, there were so many bipartisan concerns raised about it.

“When this regulation goes into effect, too many Americans may be in danger of not receiving the financial advice they need for retirement. One report projects the regulation could result in up to $80 billion worth of lost savings every year. 
Local chambers of commerce, small businesses, associations, and organizations joined in a letter voicing their concerns that, ‘This rule disproportionately disadvantages small businesses and those businesses with assets of less than $50 million, and stifles retirement savings for millions of employees by placing additional burdens on America’s leading job creators, small businesses, which will likely substantially reduce retirement savings for many Americans.’

“The Administration has heard the protests over this regulation. But these officials don’t seem to care about the harm it might cause. 

“According to a report released by the Senate Homeland and Governmental Affairs Chairman, the Administration has ‘disregarded…concerns and declined to implement recommendations’ from career nonpartisan staff and government officials. Not for the first time, this Administration is rolling roughshod right over the concerns of too many Americans, including the people it should be working to protect, like working families and low-income seniors.

“That’s why I’m proud to support this disapproval resolution to block enforcement of this rule. For several years now, letter after letter from Republicans and Democrats went to the Administration and the Department of Labor, urging them to rethink this rule. Unfortunately, you can sign onto all the letters in the world opposing a rule, but it all means nothing if you are not there to oppose the rule when it counts — when it comes time to vote. That time is now.

“I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to consider the consequences of this rule on middle class families and our economy, and join me in standing up for the middle class by voting for the resolution of disapproval.”

McConnell Praises Reauthorization of Adam Walsh Act

‘Protecting children and bringing justice to victims has been a top priority of mine for many years.’

May 23, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate passed the Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act today. The legislation will bolster efforts to prevent future sexual assault crimes and help victims receive justice. It was sponsored by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and passed by a vote of 89-0.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell noted that the authorization for this important legislation expired in 2011, but was revived under a new chairman, Sen. Grassley.

“It was disheartening to watch reauthorization legislation languish in the Senate and in the Judiciary Committee for years. But then, Chairman Grassley came along,” McConnell said. “Not only did he work to reauthorize this bill, he worked to make it stronger — with additional rights and protections for victims of sexual assault and human trafficking crimes. Like he's done with other priorities, Chairman Grassley realized the urgency of moving this reauthorization forward and then worked diligently to advance it. It’s just another example of his efforts to put the Judiciary Committee to work for the American people.”

Sen. McConnell’s speech today on the legislation follows:

“The Republican-led Senate believes in the importance of combatting sexual assault and providing key protections for the victims of these heinous crimes. In less than 18 months, we’ve already passed many different measures to help victims and help stop these crimes.

  • We passed the Amy and Vicky Act, which will help the victims of child pornography get restitution from those who profit from their pain — and, because we know the pain doesn’t end when these images are produced, it can help victims find the closure they need and deserve too.

 

  • We passed an important measure championed by Senator Toomey, who worked with Senator Alexander to include in the K-12 education reform bill a requirement that states put laws and policies in place to help ensure schools are no longer able to ship child predators to other school districts.

 

  • We passed a measure from Senator Portman, who worked with Senator McCaskill to hold an infamous child sex-trafficking company in contempt and force it to turn over critical information — information that’s needed for their bipartisan human trafficking investigation to continue.

 

  • And of course, we passed the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. The victims of modern slavery deserve justice and they deserve a voice, which is why — after years of previous inaction — a new Republican-led Senate made it a priority to pass this important anti-slavery bill. Now it’s law.

“This week we’ll have two more opportunities to protect victims.

“The first, contained in a provision within the National Defense Authorization Act, is the End Modern Slavery Initiative Act. This effort would address human trafficking beyond our borders with tools to help end the scourge of modern slavery worldwide. I thank Senator Corker for his work on this measure.

“The second, the Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act, will bolster efforts to prevent future sexual assault crimes and help victims receive justice. We’ll pass it today.

“One group dedicated to combatting trafficking noted its strong support for this, quote, ‘vital’ legislation which it calls ‘essential to the fight against child sex trafficking.’ The Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act has also received the support of the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, RAINN, along with organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

“I’ve been involved with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children since its inception and have had the privilege of working closely with the organization over the years.

“Protecting children and bringing justice to victims has been a top priority of mine for many years. I’ve long worked with John Walsh, Adam’s father, to advance efforts to do so. I supported the original Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act in 2006 in order to enhance law enforcements' ability to track sex offenders and improve its information-sharing capabilities, and to support resources to aid in the apprehension of fugitives who commit these offenses. It’s an important law, but the authorization for it expired in 2011. It was disheartening to watch reauthorization legislation languish in the Senate and in the Judiciary Committee for years.

“But then, Chairman Grassley came along. Not only did he work to reauthorize this bill, he worked to make it stronger — with additional rights and protections for victims of sexual assault and human trafficking crimes.

“Like he's done with other priorities, Chairman Grassley realized the urgency of moving this reauthorization forward and then worked diligently to advance it. It’s just another example of his efforts to put the Judiciary Committee to work for the American people.

“Under a new Chairman, the Judiciary Committee has reported out some 30 bills and has seen more than a dozen signed into law. Time and again, the committee has taken on important issues and worked towards real solutions for our country.

“We saw a great example of that recently with Chairman Grassley’s efforts to help combat the heroin and prescription opioid epidemic that’s hurting so many communities across our country. States like mine have been especially impacted by this drug crisis. I appreciated the steadfast commitment of colleagues like Chairman Grassley, along with key Senators like Senator Portman and Senator Ayotte, to address the issue and ensure Senate passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.

“Chairman Grassley has worked hard to pass other pieces of legislation too — like a law to protect American innovation in the 21st Century, for instance, and the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act I mentioned earlier.

“Without Chairman Grassley’s commitment in committee and Senator Cornyn’s relentless efforts on the floor, that important trafficking bill wouldn’t have become law.

So it’s clear that Senator Grassley has led the Judiciary Committee with a renewed focus on providing hope and providing a voice to those in need. 

“We have just the latest example of his commitment in the bill before us today. So I commend Chairman Grassley for his strong leadership, and I urge my colleagues to join me today in supporting this important legislation.”

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