News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor welcoming the election of Paul Ryan as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives:

“When responsibility calls, it’s usually not at a time of our choosing. The decision to answer is rarely easy or straightforward.

“Paul Ryan knows this.

“He spent his nights dreaming about tax policy, not the speakership.

“But our country is fortunate he stepped up to lead. I know I’m grateful he did.

“Speaker Ryan is thoughtful about the issues facing our nation. He’s sober-minded. He knows the job he’s walking into is tough. He also understands the potential it holds, in terms of conservative solutions for our country, in terms of more opportunity for the Middle Class.

“When I called to congratulate Speaker Ryan, we discussed our many shared goals for Congress. We pledged a strong partnership. We aimed to continue advancing conservative reform.

“I look forward to working closely with him going forward as I have in the past.

“Speaker Ryan knows what it means to work hard. He knows what it means to dream big dreams. He knows what it means to achieve them too.

“Something we all admire about Speaker Ryan is his determination to ensure others are able to achieve big things in their lives too — to ensure others can lead fulfilling lives defined by meaning and punctuated with purpose.

“There’s no doubt he cares deeply.

“He cares about combatting poverty — effectively. He care about lifting up the Middle Class — successfully. And because he cares, he’s willing to call out failed policies when they hurt those they’re supposed to help — and he’s suggested better ways forward too.

“In short, here’s what you can say about Speaker Ryan. He’s got a big heart and he’s got an extraordinary intellect. He knows how to lead with both.

“That quality is rare around here. So is having a reputation that so greatly precedes oneself — in a positive way. But that’s Speaker Ryan.

“Nothing is going to come easily in his new role. He knows that.

“Neither of us will be under any illusions about the positions we hold. We face a Democratic Party that continues to move left. We face a President who doesn’t seem very interested in cooperation on the big things or the hard things, nor in making divided government work.

“These are the realities that face us. It’s right to acknowledge them. But it won’t stop us from working together to advance conservative reform and also to achieve solutions for the Middle Class whenever we can.

“Today, though, let’s celebrate Speaker Ryan’s extraordinary achievement.

“He has already proven his stature as a leader in our party.

“From leading the nation on responsible budgeting and pro-growth tax reform to serving as an extraordinary candidate for Vice President, he always rises to the challenge.

“I would note for my House colleagues that their incoming leader campaigned vigorously to become President of the Senate, but was drafted into the Speakership.

“But look, on a more serious note, Paul Ryan may not have asked for this job. But the moment called for him to lead. I’m grateful that he will.

“Because we know he’s a leader who repeatedly demonstrates the talent, the vision, and the experience to succeed.

“I look forward to building a strong partnership on behalf of our country.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the two-year fiscal agreement:

“I said that the Senate would take up the fiscal agreement after the House acted, and we are.

“This agreement isn't perfect. I share some concerns other colleagues have raised. But here’s the bottom line. This is a fully-offset agreement that rejects tax hikes, secures long-term savings through entitlement reforms, and provides increased support for our military — at a time when we confront threats in multiple theaters.

“Each of these items was a Republican goal heading into the negotiation. Each of these items was achieved in the agreement before us.

“I'm encouraged that it would enact the most significant reform to Social Security since 1983, resulting in $168 billion in long-term savings. I'm encouraged that it would repeal more of Obamacare.

“And I'm encouraged that it would help provide resources our troops so desperately need in an era of diverse and challenging global threats, when we see ISIL consolidating gains in Iraq and Syria, when we see the forces of Assad marching alongside Iranian soldiers and Hezbollah militias, supported by Russian aircraft overhead.

“Colleagues know that I will respect whatever choice they ultimately make when this agreement comes up for a vote.

“There are valid differences of opinion, and that's okay.

“But I ask every colleague to also consider what this fully-offset agreement would mean for the men and women who voluntarily put themselves in harm's way so that we may live free.

“Commanders tell us that additional resources are required to ensure their safety and preparedness.

“This fully-offset agreement would help provide them, along with enacting the most significant Social Security reform in over three decades, along with repealing another piece of Obamacare, along with refusing to raise taxes by a penny.

“I hope Senators will join me in voting for it.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the retirement of House Speaker John Boehner:

“There’s a lot you can say about John Boehner.

“He loves his breakfasts every morning at Pete’s Diner. He’s a fan of the tie dimple. He’s one of the most genuine guys you’ll meet. I know, because we’ve fought many battles together in the trenches.”

“He never breaks his word. He never buckles in a storm. And what’s amazing is how we’ve had such a frictionless relationship, especially when you consider that old House saying, The other party—that’s just the opposition. But the Senate—that’s the enemy.

“That may have been true of past House and Senate leaders, but it wasn’t true for us.

“Though you might not expect it, I’m more Bourbon. John’s more Merlot. I lecture on Henry Clay. John sings zip-a-dee-doo-dah.

“But I’ve always considered John an ally. I’ve always considered John a friend.

“It’s hard not to like him, and it’s hard not to admire what John’s accomplished in his career.

“As a concerned Ohioan, he took on a scandal-plagued incumbent in a primary—and won.

“As a freshman Congressman, he took on money-laundering schemes and banking scandals involving powerful members—and prevailed.

“As an engineer of the Contract with America, he took on Democrats’ decades-long power lock—and triumphed.

“As an ex-member of leadership once considered politically dead, he knew he had more to offer—and convinced his colleagues he did.

“As the inheritor of a diminished and dispirited House minority, he dared to believe conservatives could rise again—and helped grow the largest Republican majority since bob-haired flappers were dancing the Charleston.

“John Boehner has wandered the valley. John Boehner has been to the mountaintop. John Boehner has slid right back into the valley, and then ascended to great heights yet again.

“He does it all with hard work. He does it with an earnestness and an honesty I’ve always admired.

“When John talks about struggling to make it, it’s not some platitude. When John gets choked up about Americans reaching for their dreams, it’s not some act.

“This is a guy who had to share a bathroom with 11 brothers and sisters. This is a guy whose parents slept on the pull-out sofa. This is a guy who worked hard behind the bar, and eventually found his way atop the rostrum.

“Maybe that’s why he’s so humble. Maybe that’s why, when he orders breakfast at Pete’s, they don’t call him “Mr. Speaker” — they just call him “John-John.”

“Well here’s what I know about Speaker John Boehner.

“He says the code he lives by is a simple one: do the right things for the right reasons, and the right things will happen.

“I’ve always found that to be true. I’ve found it to be true in our battles fighting side-by-side for conservative reform, sometimes from a position deep in the minority.

“We had our share of Maalox moments, that’s for sure. But he always strove to push forward.

“As I said about John Boehner the day he announced his retirement, Grace under pressure, country and institution before self.

“These are the first things that come to mind when I think of him.

“I wish Speaker Boehner the very best in retirement, and I thank him for always working hard to do the right thing, for his family, for his district, for his party, for his country.

“Farewell, my friend.”

Recent Press Releases

Speaker Ryan: A Big Heart, Extraordinary Intellect

‘Paul Ryan may not have asked for this job. But the moment called for him to lead. I’m grateful that he will. Because we know he’s a leader who repeatedly demonstrates the talent, the vision, and the experience to succeed.’

October 29, 2015

Fiscal Agreement Directs Resources to Ensure Safety, Preparedness of American Troops

‘This is a fully-offset agreement that rejects tax hikes, secures long-term savings through entitlement reforms, and provides increased support for our military — at a time when we confront threats in multiple theaters.’

October 29, 2015

John Boehner: ‘Country and Institution Before Self’

John Boehner has wandered the valley. John Boehner has been to the mountaintop. John Boehner has slid right back into the valley, and then ascended to great heights yet again. He does it all with hard work. He does it with an earnestness and an honesty I’ve always admired.’

October 29, 2015