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Senate Democrats Block McConnell Gas Price Relief Amendment

June 5, 2008



‘We should have an opportunity to ask senators where they stand. Do they believe, as I do, that gas prices are high enough already? Or do they believe, as the sponsors of this bill do, that gas prices should rise even higher? What are they afraid of?’



WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell attempted to offer an amendment to the Boxer Climate Tax bill on Thursday to ensure that the bill does not increase the price of gas at the pump. After Democrats blocked his attempt to offer the amendment, McConnell delivered the following remarks (as prepared) on the Senate floor:



“I’m very disappointed the Majority has objected to allowing me to get this amendment pending.



“Earlier today the Assistant Majority Leader said we should be voting on amendments. I couldn’t agree more.



“In a week in which gas prices have climbed to an all-time high, the Democrat Majority in the Senate is pushing legislation that would send them up another fifty-three cents a gallon.



“Since the Democrats took over Congress 17 months ago, gas prices have gone up $1.66 a gallon.



“Since the beginning of this year alone, gas prices have gone up nearly a dollar (82 cents).



“Just today, AAA reported a new record high average gas price nationwide of $3.99.



“All of this is hurting families, workers, truckers, farmers. It’s hurting everyone.



“Yet the Majority has nothing to say about it. It’s done nothing. Actually, worse than nothing.



“It’s repeatedly blocked efforts to increase production of American energy here at home — as recently as last month, when 48 Democrat senators voted against the American Energy Production Act.



“And now, at the beginning of the summer driving season, it offers a bill that would send up gas prices another 53 cents a gallon.



“The people in Kentucky are paying on average $3.92 a gallon this week. They want to know what in the world is going on around here. I’m telling them to look at what’s going on here this week.



“I’m asking the same question they are: Why on earth are we considering a bill that would raise gas prices even higher than they already are?



“Our friends on the other side have no serious plan for lowering gas prices. Indeed, they seem intent on raising them even higher.



“Which is why I have tried offering this amendment, as a sort of ‘emergency brake’ on the Majority.



“This amendment says that if the Boxer Climate Tax Bill does, in fact, increase gas prices, its provisions shall be suspended. Just turn them off. Take a time out.



“Earlier this week, the Junior Senator from Connecticut said the Boxer Bill would reduce gas prices.



“His contention runs counter to every analysis of the bill I am aware of. But if he’s right, then he may want to support this amendment.



“If the Junior Senator from Connecticut is right, then my amendment would not have any effect on the cap-and-trade system outlined in this bill.



“If he’s wrong, my amendment will protect those who are suffering today from the high price of gas.



“We should have an opportunity to ask senators where they stand.



“Do they believe, as I do, that gas prices are high enough already? Or do they believe, as the sponsors of this bill do, that gas prices should rise even higher?



“What are they afraid of?



“Let’s see where people stand on what is by far the most important issue to the American people today.”



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McConnell: Democrats Will Not Be Allowed to Shirk Their Commitments on Judicial Nominations

June 5, 2008



‘The Republican Conference will continue to make the point that judicial nominations need to be treated fairly, and that commitments in this body need to be kept’



WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor Thursday regarding the Democratic Majority’s refusal to honor commitments on judicial nominations:



“Yesterday’s tactic of slowing-down the Senate floor was not about trying to confirm a few district court nominations, as some on the other side tried to suggest. Rather, it was about the importance of keeping one’s word in this body—whether it be a commitment to meet the total number of circuit court confirmations that occurred in prior Congresses, or a commitment to confirm a specific number of circuit court nominations by a specific date and using one’s best efforts to do so.



“We are far behind the pace that is necessary for us to reach the goal that the Majority Leader and I set for this Congress. If that weren’t troubling enough, what we have heard recently by the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee are threats to shut down the confirmation process completely. Surely, that is not his plan.



“The Republican Conference will continue to make the point that judicial nominations need to be treated fairly, and that commitments in this body need to be kept, and we will use the tools available to the minority to do so until that proves to be the case. This is not over I assure you.”



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McConnell Responds to Democrats’ Refusal to Honor Commitments on Judicial Nominations

June 4, 2008



‘The Democratic Majority has refused to honor its commitments. It apparently believes that commitments do not matter in the United States Senate, and that actions do not have consequences’



WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement today regarding the Democratic Majority’s refusal to honor commitments on judicial nominations:



“The Democratic Majority has repeatedly failed to treat the judicial nominees fairly.



“At the beginning of this Congress, the Majority said it would meet or exceed the average of 17 circuit court nominees that have been confirmed in prior Congresses; yet it has only confirmed eight circuit court judges thus far. More disturbing, the Chairman of the Committee recently threatened to shut down the confirmation process completely, an action that would break yet another historical precedent.



“The Majority said it would treat Republican senate delegations fairly; yet for months, the Democratic Majority has only worked on circuit court nominees from states with a Democratic senator.



“The Majority said it would do its ‘utmost,’ said it would do ‘everything’ possible, said it would do ‘everything within its power’ to confirm three more circuit court nominees by the Memorial Day recess; yet it only confirmed one nominee. Moreover, it appears the Majority did not seriously attempt to honor its commitment. Indeed, since that deadline passed almost two weeks ago, the Democratic Majority has still failed to confirm more circuit court nominees.



“The Democratic Majority has refused to honor its commitments. It apparently believes that commitments do not matter in the United States Senate, and that actions do not have consequences.



“The actions of our Democratic colleagues today are short-sighted. It is important that judicial emergencies are filled with qualified judges, and we will use the various tools at our disposal to ensure that those nominees and the Republican Conference are treated fairly, and that the Majority takes its commitments seriously.”



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