McConnell Comments on Tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting
Senator McConnell made the following statement today regarding the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT:
“We are all crushed by the news of today's horrifying massacre in Newtown. I invite everyone to lift their hearts in prayer for the victims and their families and to unite around the hope that there will soon come a day when parents no longer fear this kind of violence in our nation again.”
McConnell Engages FDA on Behalf of Kentucky Organizations Seeking Assistance to stop “Crushable” Generic Pain Pills from Flooding Into the Commonwealth
Senator McConnell reached out to the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week on behalf of Kentucky law enforcement and health care providers to express concern about generic versions of long-release potent opiates coming to market without the tamper-resistant technology.
Click on the image above to watch a news segment from WKYT
Senator McConnell heard from some of Kentucky’s top law enforcement and health care providers about their concerns, including: the Kentucky Primary Care Association, Inc., Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc., Norton Healthcare, KentuckyOne Health, the Kentucky Narcotic Officers’ Association (KNOA), and Operation UNITE. Senator McConnell contacted FDA Commissioner on their behalf to relay their concerns on the issue.
McConnell said: “In Kentucky, the pain pill epidemic has destroyed thousands of lives and ravaged communities. In my travels across the Commonwealth, I’m often told heartbreaking stories about the individuals who needlessly lost loved ones to opiate drug overdose. The problem is so acute that more Kentuckians die from drug overdose than from car accidents each year.”
Click HERE to watch a CNN story on the impact prescription drug abuse has on Kentucky's families: Prescription drugs 'orphan' children in eastern Kentucky
A Balanced Fiscal Plan Must Include Cuts
Senator McConnell spoke on the Senate floor several times this week about the need for spending cuts to be a part of a balanced plan to avoid the fiscal cliff.
He said: “With the Fiscal Cliff fast-approaching, I feel the need to point out something this morning that’s perfectly obvious to most Americans, but which Democrats in Washington still don’t seem to grasp. I’m referring to the fact that any solution to our spending and debt problem has to involve cuts to out-of-control Washington spending.
“Americans overwhelmingly support some level of cuts to government spending as part of a plan to cut the federal deficit — yet the President won’t commit to it. He refuses to lead on this issue.”
Click on the image above to view Sen. McConnell's speech
Funding RoboSquirrel - Senator McConnell also outlined several wasteful and ridiculous things that taxpayers are funding that should be cut:
“A few weeks ago, Senator Coburn issued a study that showed taxpayers are funding Moroccan pottery classes, promoting shampoo and other beauty products for cats and dogs, and a video game that allows them to relive prom night.
“Get this: taxpayers also just spent $325,000 on a Robotic squirrel name RoboSquirrel.
“The President just sent us a 73-page report detailing how $60 billion in Sandy funds would be spent. Don’t you think he could put together a list of spending cuts that at least includes RoboSquirrel?
“We’re still waiting. Why? Because for Democrats, apparently, every dollar in federal spending is sacred. Once secured, it can’t be cut. That’s why we’ve got trillion dollar deficits.”
In Case You Missed It: McConnell Honored By American Farm Bureau
Last week, Senator McConnell was honored with the ‘Friend of the Farm Bureau’ award on Friday from the American Farm Bureau Federation for his work on behalf of Kentucky agriculture during a ceremony at the Kentucky Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. WHAS in Louisville reported on Senator McConnell's visit. Click the image below to watch:
Click on the image above to view a news segment from WHAS
Morehead State University Professor Nominated to the Board of Trustees of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
Dr. Michael W. Hail, a Morehead State University Professor, was nominated by the President to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. Dr. Hail was recommended for the position by Senator McConnell.
Dr. Hail is currently an Associate Professor of Government in the Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy at Morehead State University. He also serves as Assistant Dean of the School of Public Affairs and Director of the MPA and Government Graduate Programs. He is a 1989 graduate of the Centre College, was awarded an M.A. in 1992 from Eastern Kentucky University, and received his Ph.D. from the University of Delaware.
“Dr. Hail is a respected professor at Morehead State University, and is admired by his students and faculty at the university,” McConnell said. “He’s a strong advocate for higher education in our state, and I am confident, that in this new role, he will serve the people of Kentucky with distinction.”
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship is a federal scholarship program for U.S. college juniors interested in public service. Congress created the scholarship in 1975, in honor of the 33rd president of the United States.
Dr. Hail’s nomination must now be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Click HERE to read a story about Dr. Hail's nomination in the Morehead News.
Welcome to Washington
Fall 2012 McConnell Interns
This fall, Senator McConnell welcomed three Kentuckians to his Washington, DC office to serve as interns. For more information on the internship program, visit Senator McConnell’s website HERE.
Fall 2012 Senate Page Program
Senator McConnell welcomed Senate pages from across the nation to Washington. For more information on the Senate Page Program, visit Senator McConnell’s website HERE.
Visiting Washington, D.C.
Are you planning a trip to Washington, D.C. in the future? Be sure to check out Senator McConnell’s website HERE to get information on tours of historic landmarks such as the White House, U.S Capitol, and the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Many tours must be requested several months in advance. We hope you will stop by Senator McConnell’s office while you are in town!
Keeping Up With Senator McConnell
Keep up with the latest news and alerts from our nation's capital as well as updates on things happening back home in Kentucky by becoming a fan of Senator McConnell's Facebook page, and get the latest news from Senator McConnell's press office on Twitter at @McConnellPress.
