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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the recent elections in Burma:

“On several occasions this year, I have come to the floor and noted that this year’s Burmese election would represent a crucial test for the country’s path to political reform. The lead-up to this November’s election was marked by a number of discouraging structural developments: the disenfranchisement of the Rohingya population and the defeat of common-sense constitutional reform proposals in the summer. Yet, despite these setbacks, I am pleased to note that last week’s election in Burma seems to have been a success.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my friend, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and her National League for Democracy party for their great victory. It was truly a remarkable achievement.

“At the same time, I would also like to commend Burmese President Thein Sein for his gracious remarks following the NLD victory and for his commitment to abide by the results of the election. The same should be said of Burma’s commander in chief. He also appears to have accepted the results of the election and has pledged to support the NLD during the transition.

“In many ways, the key test for a young democracy is not the first election but the first election in which there is a transfer of power from the ruling party to the opposition. The transfer of authority in Burma will therefore be pivotal. Accordingly, I would urge both the President and commander in chief to continue on the positive course they have charted since the election and to meet with Daw Suu in the coming days to map out an appropriate transition plan.

“The NLD now has a mandate to govern and has sufficient strength in parliament to choose a President and one of the two Vice Presidents, although Daw Suu herself is prohibited from these positions. That prohibition itself reflects one of the many challenges that lie ahead. Others include addressing the problem of the military’s quota of seats in the Parliament, promoting reconciliation among ethnic groups, and healing the divide among those of differing religious faiths.

“But for now, it is worth acknowledging the good news last week in Burma. The road to bring the bilateral relationship to where it stands today has been a long one indeed. The transition of power has the potential to be a watershed in Burma’s history. It provides an opportunity to reinvigorate the reform effort in that country.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding two resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act of the President’s EPA regulations:

“The Obama Administration is trying to impose deeply regressive energy regulations that would eliminate good-paying jobs, punish the poor, and make it even harder for Kentuckians to put food on the table.

“Their effect on global carbon levels? Essentially a rounding error.

“Their effect on poor and Middle-Class families? Potentially devastating.

“And yet.

“The deep-pocketed left-wingers who increasingly call the shots in the Obama White House don’t seem to care. Just like with its decision on Keystone last month, the Obama Administration is putting facts and compassion to the side in order to advance their ideological agenda.

“Higher energy bills and lost jobs may be a mere trifle to some on the Left, but it’s a different story for millions of Middle-Class Americans in Kentucky and across our country.

“Senators from both parties are saying that we should be standing up for the Middle Class instead. That’s why we’ve joined together to work toward overturning these two-pronged regulations.

“I’m happy to report that the bipartisan measures we filed last month to overturn those regressive regulations have now been made available for consideration by the full Senate.

“The first measure pertains to regulations on existing energy sources, while the second pertains to regulations on new sources. Together, they represent a comprehensive solution.

“Senator Capito has been a leader in this effort and I thank her for all her hard work.

“That hard work will continue as the Senate and House both take up the measures and pass them. That’s the right thing to do for Middle-Class Kentuckians and Middle-Class Americans who’ve suffered enough under this Administration already.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the terrorist attacks in Paris:

“Allow me to express what I know each of my colleagues feels today.

“We, the 100 men and women of the United States Senate, send our sincere condolences to the people of France. From across the Atlantic, Americans send condolences to the victims, to their families, and to first responders.

“We understand the pain and the loss that accompany a terrorist attack.

“Some feel it in the most personal way.

“Some never come home.

“But everyone shares in the loss.

“In our case, many shared in the response and the recovery too.

“In a dark hour, we were reminded of the things that bound us together. I hope you will feel something similar take hold in your terrible hour as well.

“We’ve already seen rays of light begin to shine through the darkness.

“We even saw it last Friday.

“Then, as Paris reeled, a soft hum emanated from a tunnel.

“‘March,’ came the echo in French. ‘March on.’

“Enemies in history and rivals on the soccer pitch had united around a common humanity. Dazed, disoriented, but alive, French and German fans marched through the tunnels together.

“Some put defiance to verse.

“‘Against us,’ they sang. ‘Tyranny has unfurled its bloody banner.’

“And indeed, that night it had.

“A song sung so many times before came alive with new meaning that horrible night. Many knew it as France’s national anthem. But that night, it became an aria for their sorrow and an ode to their fraternity.

“We heard it here from an ocean away. We add our voices to the harmony now.

“We know that these attacks were directed not just at the victims we mourn today, but also at modernity and the free world.

“President Obama has called ISIL the ‘face of evil.’ It clearly presents a challenge to NATO, to our moderate Sunni allies, and to the United States. But it’s also shown that it can attack innocent victims in the West too — right where they live. These terrorist have declared their intention to do so again and again.

“We know that trying to contain ISIL’s conventional advance as an operational concept has proven insufficient in the face of determined terrorist attacks. But we also know something else.

“With resolve and determination ISIL can be defeated.

“It won’t be easy. It won’t come quickly or without cost. But we also have no other option.

“I look forward to engaging with President Obama to determine his strategy and the tools that will be necessary to achieve it.

“We’re looking forward to hearing the President’s proposed strategy when Senators are briefed by the White House this week.

“Whatever he does though, I encourage him to work cooperatively with both parties on the way forward.

“This is a challenge that’s going to require all of our efforts to confront, and it’s a discussion that will be ongoing.

“But today is a time to remember and to reflect.

“We have the people of France in our thoughts today.

“That’s true here in the Senate, and that’s true across our country.”

Recent Press Releases

Post-Election Transition is a Potential Watershed for Reform Efforts, McConnell Says

‘I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my friend, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and her National League for Democracy party for their great victory. It was truly a remarkable achievement.’

November 17, 2015

Senate Considers Measures to Block Obama Administration’s Anti-Coal Regulations

‘The Obama Administration is trying to impose deeply regressive energy regulations that would eliminate good-paying jobs, punish the poor, and make it even harder for Kentuckians to put food on the table.’

November 17, 2015

The Attacks in Paris

‘We, the 100 men and women of the United States Senate, send our sincere condolences to the people of France. From across the Atlantic, Americans send condolences to the victims, to their families, and to first responders.’

November 16, 2015