{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9A949708-B691-4D9F-8C4C-8F654511E52E", "21st Century Cures to Bolster Medical Innovation", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\u2018This legislation promotes critical investments in research and treatment development. It helps cut through unnecessary regulations that could hinder the development of cures, while also protecting safety.\u2019\r\n\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the Senate\u2019s upcoming final passage of the 21st Century Cures bill:\r\n\r\n\u201cYesterday, the Senate voted overwhelmingly to take the next step to pass the 21st Century Cures bill, bipartisan legislation to bolster medical innovation.\r\n\r\n\u201cThis legislation promotes critical investments in research and treatment development.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt helps cut through unnecessary regulations that could hinder the development of cures, while also protecting safety.\r\n\r\n\u201cAnd it builds upon the progress of innovative therapies and regenerative medicine.\r\n\r\n\u201cThis legislation puts patients first. It helps strengthen the kind of research and treatments needed to cure the most devastating diseases. And it includes provisions to help enhance mental health programs and to provide funding to help fight opioid abuse.\r\n\r\n\u201cI\u2019ve heard from health professionals across my state who\u2019ve expressed the impact this legislation can make, from the Kentucky Hospital Association to the University of Kentucky \u2014 our state\u2019s largest research university.\r\n\r\n\u201cThis bill, UK\u2019s President says, reflects the \u2018growing support from Congress for increased investment in research that addresses the compelling questions of our day.\u2019\r\n\r\n\u201cI am pleased to welcome President Capilouto to the Capitol this morning.\r\n\r\n\u201cCures is one example, he says, of how the university will be better equipped \u2018to improve the lives of those in the Commonwealth.\u2019\r\n\r\n\u201cWe know this bill wouldn\u2019t have been possible without Chairman Alexander\u2019s ceaseless efforts alongside Ranking Member Murray to drive it forward. We thank them both, as well as members like Senator Cornyn, Senator Hatch, and Senator Cassidy, who\u2019ve all endeavored to make this bill the strongest it can be.\r\n\r\n\u201cI also want to recognize my friend, Vice President Biden, who joined us yesterday for his efforts to include his Cancer Moonshot initiative in the package. This is an issue that hits close to home for the Vice President, and he\u2019s been a leading voice in supporting efforts to strengthen cancer research and find a cure.\r\n\r\n\u201cI am pleased that we'll pass this legislation soon so that we can begin to put its provisions to work on behalf of American families.\r\n\r\n\u201cI\u2019ve spoken with the Speaker on a number of occasions about an issue facing coal miner retirees like those I represent in Kentucky, and have insisted that the CR include a provision to address that issue so these retirees don\u2019t lose their health benefits at the end of the year.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe hope to have a final bill to share with members soon, and we look forward to turning to it as soon as possible after House action.\r\n\r\n\u201cBut I will have more to say on that later.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re also working to wrap up a number of conference reports, including for the defense authorization bill and the water resources development bill.\r\n\r\n\u201cLast night, I took the next step on the defense conference report so that we can pass it this week.\r\n\r\n\u201cThis legislation will provide more of the tools servicemembers need to take on national security challenges, help strengthen our military posture, and support our men and women in uniform with the benefits and pay raises they\u2019ve earned.\r\n\r\n\u201cI hope the Senate will also take the next step soon on the Water Development Resources conference report.\r\n\r\n\u201cThis water resources conference report will invest in our nation\u2019s waterways infrastructure, enhance commerce, and support safe and reliable water sources to prevent future situations like the one we saw in Flint, Michigan. To that point, this bill also includes assistance for families like those in Flint who\u2019ve already been impacted by lead poisoning.\u201d\r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9A949708-B691-4D9F-8C4C-8F654511E52E"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.162710065022111, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}