WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor calling on Majority Leader Reid to allow Republican pro-jobs amendments including his national Right to Work legislation:

“The Democrat Majority led us to believe the Senate would be discussing jobs this week.

“But it seemed to be a pretty one-sided discussion. Republican Senators came to the floor to talk about our innovative ideas to create jobs and grow opportunity for all Americans. As for Senate Democrats though, well, they wouldn’t even stand up to call for votes on the jobs proposals.

“I think this reflects a growing divide in the Senate – between a Republican Party that’s focused on the Middle Class and a Democrat Party that’s obsessed with November 4th.

“That’s just disappointing for America. The American people need two serious political parties in this country. But at least our constituents can be assured of one thing: that Republicans are laser-focused on delivering real prosperity to the families who’ve struggled so much in this economy.

“It’s the impetus behind basically everything we do. And it’s the impetus behind the numerous jobs proposals Republican Senators are rolling out this week.

“For instance, several Republican Senators will take to the floor again today to talk about energy’s potential for driving growth and American job creation…and why the government needs to stop holding Americans back from sharing in the energy boom. I also plan to join and discuss my own amendment that would fight back against the President’s War on Coal Jobs.

“I’m looking forward to that colloquy.

“But right now, I’d like to talk about another jobs proposal Senator Paul and I have again introduced – national Right to Work legislation. It would allow American workers to choose whether or not they’d like to join a union – and it would protect a worker from getting fired if she’d rather not subsidize a union boss who fails to represent her concerns and priorities.

“It’s just such a common-sense, pro-worker proposal. According to one survey, about 80% of unionized workers agreed that employees should be able to decide whether or not joining a union is right for them. 

“One obvious benefit is increased take-home pay for the workers who choose to keep the hundreds of dollars that would otherwise be taken from their paychecks by union bosses. And there’s a huge opportunity component here too.

“That’s because many unions operate on a seniority system, with pay raises often based off the amount of time a worker has spent at a company, rather than on her performance. Well, I think an American worker deserves the opportunity to earn more money if she works hard – I think she deserves the opportunity to rise through the ranks and put more money in her pocket if she’s determined to do it. That’s real paycheck fairness.

“These are just bedrock American values – core workers’ rights – that should never be denied to our constituents. Especially in a terrible economy like this one.

“Many of Kentucky’s neighboring states have gone Right to Work with great success, and I hope Kentucky will join them soon. I recently read an op-ed that laid out just how much we could’ve gained over the last decade if we had. It noted that private-sector jobs had grown by 15.3 percent in Right to Work states, compared to just 6.9 percent in Kentucky…that manufacturing had expanded three times more in Right to Work states…and that compensation had grown by 14.2 percent compared to just 4.3 in Kentucky.

“So I’m encouraged by the members of Kentucky’s legislature who continue to fight for Right to Work legislation. Kentuckians shouldn’t be subjected to that kind of prosperity gap any longer.

“And neither should millions of other Americans struggling across this country. I believe they should have a more equal chance of finding work in every state, and that they should no longer see their communities failing to secure new investment because their state hasn’t passed Right to Work.

“That’s just one more reason why I believe in our national legislation too.

“So I’m asking our Democrat friends to join Senator Paul and me in standing up for workers’ rights and a stronger Middle Class – to join us in passing national Right to Work legislation. 
 
“Let’s be honest: after more than 5 years of economic misery under their watch, that’s the least Washington Democrats can do for the American people.

“Unfortunately, I suspect we’ll hear a lot of excuses instead about why Washington Democrats can’t, or won’t, stand with us in this fight. No matter what they say though, the American people will know the truth: It’s because Big Labor bosses have such sway over today’s Democrat Party, and because Big Labor bosses aren’t about to give up their perks or their vice grip over American workers.

“Well, Big Labor bosses should know that Republicans are determined to fight for American workers, American jobs, and a stronger Middle Class, even if the bosses work against us every step of the way.

“Right to Work is just a smart way to get America on the path to real recovery, and it’s critical to empowering workers and giving them more freedom.

“I really want to commend Senator Paul for his leadership on this legislation and for his long-time advocacy on this issue. 

“And I hope our colleagues on the other side of the aisle will prove me wrong by working together to pass important jobs initiatives like Right to Work for the American people.”