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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor urging the President to sign the Keystone jobs bill:

“Last night, I joined members of both parties to recognize the latest bipartisan achievement for the American people.

“The Clay Hunt act, which will provide important support to our nation’s veterans, passed the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. It’s on its way to President Obama’s desk now. I’m confident he’ll sign it.

“And today, the House of Representatives is expected to pass yet another bipartisan bill for him to sign.

“The Keystone Jobs bill is just common sense. That’s why this bipartisan legislation already passed the Senate with support from both parties. That’s why labor unions support it. That’s why the American people support it.

“Americans know that construction of this infrastructure project would pump billions into the economy and support thousands of good jobs. They also know that America could achieve this with, as the President’s own State Department has indicated, minimal environmental impact.

“So Americans are urging President Obama not to interfere in the review process for political reasons any longer.

“Americans are urging the President to finally heed scientific conclusions his own State Department already reached.

“Let American workers build this infrastructure project, Mr. President.

“Sign this jobs and infrastructure bill.

“Powerful special interests may be demanding that the President veto Keystone Jobs, but we hope he won’t.

“If the President does ultimately bow to these special-interest demands, that’s a discussion we can have then. But either way, Americans should know this: the new Congress won’t stop pursuing good ideas.

“This new majority is committed to refocusing Washington on the concerns of the middle class. And the passage of bipartisan bills like Clay Hunt and Keystone Jobs shows we’re doing just that.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the President’s proposed AUMF:

“This morning, we received the President’s proposed Authorization for the Use of Military Force against ISIL and its affiliates.

“It was clear from the outset that a successful military campaign to defeat ISIL would require a multi-year effort. So it’s certainly in order for Congress to debate an authorization like this.

“And because Congress must meet its responsibility to decide whether our military should use force, the Senate will review the President’s request thoughtfully. Individual Senators and committees of jurisdiction will review it carefully, and they’ll listen closely to the advice of military commanders as they consider the best strategy for defeating ISIL.

“Because this issue demands such serious consideration, I want our members to have an early opportunity to discuss the President’s request. That’s why, later today, our Conference will meet for a discussion led by Senators Corker and McCain.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the effects of Obamacare on tax returns:

“Many Americans have already started the process of filling out their tax returns.

“It’s a stressful time of year.

“But thanks to Obamacare, many are sure to find it even more stressful.

“Part of this is because of Obamacare’s trillion-plus dollars in tax increases.

“If you have health insurance, Obamacare now has a tax for that.

“If you don’t have health insurance, Obamacare has a tax for that too.

“And whether government bureaucrats deem your coverage too generous or not generous enough, Obamacare has a tax for you.

“Some of these taxes are paid by consumers directly. Others are passed along in the form of higher premiums, increased costs, and lost opportunities. But many fall on the shoulders of the Middle Class.

“And there’s more to the issue too. Because Obamacare has done what many thought impossible: it’s made a mind-numbingly complex tax code even more so.

“For the first time, the government will be asking on your tax returns if you had health insurance for every month of last year.

“And if you didn’t, well, you guessed it—Obamacare has a tax for that.

“But this is only a portion of the cost and complexity Obamacare threatens to impose on millions this tax season.

“Here’s how one health law expert put it:

‘It will be very easy to find people who are unhappy with [Obamacare’s]…new tax obligations — people who have to pay a penalty, who have to wait forever to get through to somebody at the I.R.S. or have to pay back a lot of money because of overpayments of premium tax credits.’

“And this is from an expert who supports Obamacare.

“The truth is, Obamacare is a law that just keeps on giving — giving headaches to the middle class. It meant millions of cancellation notices. It’s meant higher costs for many. And now, this.

“Remember too: The IRS, the same agency charged with processing your tax return, is now in charge of implementing vast sections of Obamacare.

“The same agency that spent so much time trying to silence free speech.

“The same agency that awarded bonuses to employees who owed back taxes.

“This is an agency charged with enforcing Obamacare’s web of complexity.

“Americans are right to question the IRS’ competence to handle so much sensitive information.

“We just received another reminder of that recently.

“One of the Obama Administration’s own Inspectors General released a damning report on this troubled agency.

“The report found that the IRS recently rehired hundreds of individuals who’d left the agency under clouds of misconduct.

“It took back individuals who’d engaged in sexual harassment, criminal misconduct, and fraud.

“On at least one occasion, it ignored case-file notes that warned: ‘do not rehire.’

“The tax collector for America even rehired people who willfully failed to file their tax returns.

“I know the Chairman of the Finance Committee plans to dig into issues like these. He wants answers. We all do. The American people deserve them.

“They’re tired of a seeing a government that’s lost focus on them.

“And they’re tired of enduring Obamacare’s growing list of failed promises.”

Recent Press Releases

McConnell Urges the President to Sign Keystone Jobs Bill

‘The Keystone Jobs bill is just common sense. That’s why this bipartisan legislation already passed the Senate with support from both parties. That’s why labor unions support it. That’s why the American people support it.’

February 11, 2015

McConnell Promises Close Senate Review of President’s Proposed AUMF

February 11, 2015

Thanks to Obamacare, Many Will Face New Tax Penalties This Year

‘The truth is, Obamacare is a law that just keeps on giving — giving headaches to the middle class. It meant millions of cancellation notices. It’s meant higher costs for many. And now, this.’

February 10, 2015