WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding Senate passage of the McConnell resolution honoring the late former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher:

“We have just passed a resolution honoring the late Margaret Thatcher before her funeral tomorrow. It is our intention for that resolution to be a statement equal to her legacy. Her work with Ronald Reagan reinvigorated the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Let me just say that Margaret was one of the most influential and revolutionary figures of the 20th century, and failing to name her achievements would do her memory and her legacy a great disservice. It would be unheard of to commemorate Churchill for example and ignore his heroic role in steering his countrymen through the battle of Britain, nor would we think of honoring Lincoln without mentioning the Civil War. Because doing the right thing when it is not easy or popular, that's what defines leadership and it defined Margaret Thatcher. So it is fitting that the Senate has honored her legacy just a few moments ago.  Margaret Thatcher didn't just change a country or give a people hope; she helped alter the course of history. It's true she did not just go along to get along, but had she done so, I’m sure we would have long since forgotten her. So let's honor her for all she did. Let's acknowledge the enormity of what she accomplished.  Let's mention her achievements by name and the resolution does that because we owe her a tribute equal to her legacy.”

Background: At Sen. McConnell’s request, the Senate passed the resolution by unanimous consent.