url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://comer.house.gov/2019/12/reflecting-busy-2019,Reflecting on a Busy 2019,2019-12-31,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"As we move into the new year, I’ve been reflecting on what we have accomplished in 2019 on behalf of the 1st Congressional District. Every time I returned to Kentucky throughout 2019, I heard loud and clear the priorities of my constituents, which have been to enact policies that put working Americans first. While this year has offered unique challenges in a time of rising partisanship, many of my congressional colleagues and I have still made meaningful progress. The year ended with equal parts accomplishment and frustration. On a positive note, the House finally acted on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), President Trump’s new and improved trade deal aimed at helping farmers, manufacturers and America’s middle class. My Republican colleagues and I have worked consistently to pressure House Democrats to bring the USMCA up for a vote, marking a major trade victory for President Trump. As a farmer and Kentucky’s former Commissioner of Agriculture, moving forward on the USMCA was highly important to me so that our farmers could have access to new markets. Unfortunately, Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats chose to delay and block all kinds of important legislation in order to rush through their partisan, baseless impeachment of President Trump. Ever since the President was inaugurated, their goal has been to impeach him. House Democrats impeached the President not because he committed impeachable offenses, of which there are none, but simply because they dislike him and do not think they can beat him in the 2020 election. I strongly opposed the impeachment charade, speaking against the articles of impeachment on the House floor. However, there were some significant accomplishments in 2019 that I was honored to play a role in. As the Republican Leader of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services, I took advantage of new opportunities to delve into issues that affect some of our most vulnerable members of society – children and senior citizens. I worked with my colleagues on the House Committee on Education and Labor (E&L) to hold hearings and strengthen federal efforts to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect. In May, the Stronger Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (Stronger CAPTA) passed the House of Representatives, which is aimed at limiting child abuse and neglect in the United States. It was a great privilege of mine to work on this consequential piece of legislation that helps protect our nation’s children. I also worked with colleagues on E&L to pass the Dignity in Aging Act (H.R. 4334), which reauthorizes the Older Americans Act (OAA). From strengthening meal delivery programs and preventing elder abuse and exploitation to supporting family caregivers and community service employment opportunities – the OAA ensures older Americans have access to services which allow them to live and thrive in their own homes. Based on my numerous travels throughout the 1st District, I know that access to programs like these are critical for seniors to thrive independently. I also worked on a bipartisan bill that ended up in the final OAA, which would eliminate the cap on the percentage of funding that Area Agencies on Aging can use to provide services to relatives raising children. This provision will be especially beneficial in Kentucky, where many older relatives have taken on the responsibilities of raising children whose parents are unable to take care of them. Being active and accessible remains a top priority of mine. That’s why I made 121 visits throughout our district for community visits, town hall meetings, “Coffees with your Congressman,” business tours, and much more. My staff and I took over 670 meetings and helped over 945 constituents with casework. I am especially proud that my field representatives held 136 community office hours, consistently bringing our constituent services to every county. While I’m disheartened that the divisive and partisan impeachment inquiry into President Trump has dominated the spotlight in Washington in recent months, many of my congressional colleagues and I remain steadfast in our efforts to deliver for the American people. As 2019 comes to close, I have confidence that we are moving in the right direction with the policies put forward by the Trump Administration. For seniors, children, students, entrepreneurs and families, this year has brought about victories and opportunities for the American people, and I look forward to delivering even stronger results in 2020.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=51022EBC-DB08-4336-AC42-9E12A30B91E6,WHAT KENTUCKIANS ARE SAYING,2019-12-23,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Protecting Coal Families' Pension and Health Benefits Cecil E. Roberts, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) President: Once this legislation is passed and signed by the President, Congress will have saved the lives of thousands throughout America. And while words cannot truly express what retired miners and their families are feeling this day, I can say this: Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's support was crucial to securing this legislation, and on behalf of America's retired coal miners I thank him for his efforts to ensure this became a reality. We will never forget it. Eddie Embry of Hartford, Kentucky, UMWA retiree: I cannot begin to tell you what this bill passing means to nearly 100,000 miners and their family members, many of whom are widows worried about their future. Kentucky coal communities appreciate so much Senator McConnell stepping forward and sponsoring a bill that will protect our vital pension and health benefits, said UMWA retiree Eddie Embry of Hartford, Kentucky. We were in a tough spot that we could not get ourselves out of without him. Senator McConnell's leadership was obviously crucial to the bill passing. We are eternally grateful to Senator McConnell as well as his staff who we've worked with on this matter. This will truly be a Merry Christmas! Raising the Minimum Tobacco Purchase Age to 21 Ben Chandler, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky President and CEO: The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is proud to have the leadership of Senator McConnell in protecting our children's health and future, and I was proud to work with him to raise the legal age for sales of all tobacco products from 18 to 21. Across our Commonwealth, we've seen an unprecedented spike in youth vaping and tobacco use, which can too often lead to a lifetime of nicotine dependence and serious health consequences. By helping keep these products away from middle and high school students, we're making progress to support the health of our kids. I'm glad Senator McConnell, as Majority Leader, could build support for this vital legislation, and because of his efforts, I look forward to it becoming law soon. Kentucky Youth Advocates: We applaud U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for securing the Tobacco-Free Youth Act in the federal Fiscal Year 2020 Agreement to raise the minimum legal sale age of tobacco products across the country, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21. Kentucky Youth Advocates thanks Leader McConnell for leading the way in Congress on this critical issue to help keep Kentucky kidsand kids across the nationhealthier and prevent life-long addiction to nicotine. Julie Raque Adams, Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus Chair: It seems like every day that we hear about the increasing danger of vaping devices, and too many parents just don't know what to do to protect their kids. I'm proud that Senator McConnell heard our concerns and immediately stepped in to help. His legislation can address this crisis head-on to keep our children safe and away from the dangers of nicotine and vaping. Once again, having the Senate Majority Leader put our state's interests first has delivered results, and Senator McConnell is helping our kids grow into healthy and successful adults. Kim Moser, Campbell and Kenton Counties State Representative: As a health care professional and a mother, I worry about the long-lasting effects of tobacco use on our children, and I'm so proud that Senator McConnell took action to protect our families. The dangers of nicotine on young people's developmentespecially on their brains and lungscan inflict life-long damage. Raising the minimum tobacco purchase age to 21 will help keep these harmful products away from our kids, and I can't thank Senator McConnell enough for his vision and leadership for our children's future. Keeping Promises to Kentucky Veterans with Louisville VA Medical Center Carl Kaelin, Vietnam Veteran from Leitchfield, Kentucky and former Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Chief of Staff: It takes a visionary leader like Senator Mitch McConnell to deliver for Kentucky's veterans. For more than a decade, Senator McConnell has led the charge to keep the promise to build a new, modern veterans medical center in Louisville. Now, joined by President Trump, he's championed the passage of the federal funding bill to complete that mission. Having one of the top congressional leaders from our Commonwealth means that Kentucky's priorities are at the center of the national agenda, and we will enjoy the results for years to come. Martha J. Lain, U.S. Army veteran and past Veterans of Foreign Wars of the Department of Kentucky Commander: Women veterans have a great champion in Senator McConnell, who answered our call for help to ensure the VA system is meeting the needs of women veterans across the country. I appreciate his consistent advocacy to prioritize our cause with the VA, and I'm grateful for his leadership to deliver a new medical center in Louisville that will finally provide women veterans with access to high-quality, specialized care in a modern facility. Fulfilling Obligation to Paducah Nuclear Workers and their Community Sandra Wilson, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce President: On behalf of the Paducah Chamber, and our community, we are very appreciative of the support of Leader McConnell with our request for additional funding for work at the Paducah Department of Energy site. We worked with our DOE contractors to outline a program of work that could take place at the site if we were to receive additional funding. The Leader's office listened to our request about the opportunities available for the cleanup work with new funding. We thank him for his support in getting this additional work funded. Opening New Doors for Hemp's Revival in Kentucky Ryan Quarles, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner: I applaud Leader McConnell's efforts to move industrial hemp from the research phase to a commercial one. As we continue to restore this crop to its rightful place in Kentucky's agricultural portfolio, it is essential to have clear policy guidance from Congress. It is McConnell's leadership that has made this possible, and I think I speak for everyone when I say we are grateful for the industry he has helped create. Combatting Invasive Asian Carp in West Kentucky Wade White, Lyon County Judge-Executive: ""Senator McConnell has once again provided the results we desperately needed. These critical resources will help repel the invasion of these deadly fish in our Western Kentucky Lakes and will allow the affected southern states, to work together in a cohesive unit to fight the War on Carp and we have the Majority Leader, Senator McConnell, to thank for it. Supporting those in recovery and stopping the flow of illegal drugs in Kentucky communities Andy Beshear, Kentucky Governor: To combat the drug scourge, it takes all of us working together and we look forward to working with Senator McConnell and our law enforcement partners. Every day we lose far too many Kentuckians to addiction and more funding is needed to provide treatment and support services to those in desperate need. Daniel Cameron, Kentucky Attorney General: Kentucky's drug crisis presents a pressing public safety challenge in communities across the Commonwealth and places an ever-increasing strain on law enforcement. I am grateful to Leader McConnell for securing important funding to combat this epidemic and further support our interdiction efforts and treatment programs across the state. We must use every resource available to combat the drugs that have plagued our neighborhoods and harmed our families. Van Ingram, Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy Director: The funding appropriated to combat the opioid epidemic is crucial to our nation and particularly Kentucky where we have been disproportionally affected by this epidemic. We appreciate Leader McConnell's continued efforts in securing these much needed funds. Berl Perdue, Clark County Sheriff and Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police President: As Kentucky law enforcement stands on the frontline against opioid, meth, and substance abuse, we know that Senate Majority Leader McConnell has our back. His efforts to direct critical resources to Kentucky and to increase collaboration among local, state and federal law enforcement is indispensable in our mission to protect the Commonwealth's families and communities. Our country is focused on this issue in large part because of Senator McConnell's leadership, and we're grateful for his unyielding support of Kentucky police officers. Ashli Watts, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President and CEO: The opioid epidemic is not just a public health issue; it is also a workforce issue, and the Kentucky business community has felt the impact of the crisis firsthand. Leader McConnell listened to our concerns and has led a thoughtful solution to help address the crisis with the CAREER Act. Connection to a stable living environment and gaining purpose found through work is critical to the long-term recovery process. This new funding will help states like Kentucky ensure people stay in recovery and get back into the workforce, which is something employers desperately want. Jennifer Hancock, Volunteers of America Mid-States President and CEO: Volunteers of America is so grateful to Leader McConnell for being the driving force behind funding for solutions that effectively address our Nation's addiction crisis. He has been a true partner to us both in serving people at our existing programs and in our expansion to serve pregnant and parenting women in our new Freedom House program in Eastern Kentucky. The Leader is willing to take on the very tough work ahead to help our families and friends overcome substance use disorder and knows it takes integrated and comprehensive solutions like we provide. He is a difference-maker on this vital issue and it is an honor to have his support and leadership. Lisa Minton, Chrysalis House Executive Director: Senate Majority Leader McConnell continues to be a vital partner to Chrysalis House in our work to invest in long-term recovery for women and their families. We're so proud that Kentucky's fight against substance use disorder has a champion with such national prominence. Senator McConnell's focus on a comprehensive response is making a positive difference in our Commonwealth every day, and his leadership has, without question, helped to save lives. Abby Drane, Centerstone Kentucky CEO: We applaud Senator McConnell's leadership in advancing new resources to support transitional housing and employment tools to help those in treatment for substance use disorder get back into the workplace. For so many individuals in recovery, a home and a job can be the key to lasting success. We applaud the Leader for his continued work in advancing solutions to the opioid crisis for Kentuckians. Providing Tax Relief Eric Gregory, Kentucky Distillers' Association President: On behalf of the Birthplace of Bourbon, the Kentucky Distillers' Association and its members are immensely grateful for the steadfast leadership of Leader McConnell in shepherding the extension of the FET rollback and the continuation of the AGED Spirits Act. These measures are vitally important in continuing Kentucky Bourbon's historic renaissance, which is pouring more than $8.6 billion into the Commonwealth's economy each year, and is responsible for 20,100 jobs, $1 billion in payroll and $2.3 billion in capital investment. Leader McConnell's crucial commitment to our signature industry will continue to fuel Kentucky's economy, which is why the KDA last year recognized his championship with our prestigious 100 Proof Award. We appreciate and applaud his unwavering support. Chris Swonger, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States President and CEO: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been a steadfast advocate for the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act. The Senator knows firsthand the devastating impacts Congressional inaction could have had on distillers throughout Kentucky, and his support is instrumental in moving this bill forward. We look forward to continuing to work with Leader McConnell on issues of critical importance to Kentucky distillers and their communities. Economic Development, Infrastructure and Preparing Students and Workers to Meet Their Bright Future Eli Capilouto, University of Kentucky President: Leader McConnell understands the vital and growing importance that agriculture plays in the Commonwealth, particularly in serving our cattle and equine industries. Outstanding, high-tech research, increasingly, is a difference maker in ensuring the health of this industry and its continued growth and vibrancy. The resources and support Senator McConnell has secured for a Forage Animal Production Lab at UK's College of Agriculture, Food and Environment will help us not simply continue our progress, but ensure that we can accelerate it on behalf of Kentucky's agricultural economy, which means advancing our state, thousands of farm families and two of the Commonwealth's signature industries. Nancy Cox, UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Dean: On behalf of our faculty, agents, staff, students and the agriculture community we serve, I want to thank Leader McConnell for supporting a new USDA Agricultural Research Services (ARS) lab at UK to serve the cattle and equine industries and build upon the work underway in the current ARS lab located at the University of Kentucky. The college has a legacy of pioneering research to support Kentucky's multi-billion dollar agriculture industry. Through Senator McConnell's leadership, these priorities will help keep agriculture research at UK and in the Commonwealth at the leading edge. James Comer, Kentucky First District Congressman: ""The designation of this section of the Western Kentucky Parkway as a spur of Interstate 69 will bolster economic development and job creation in Muhlenberg and Ohio counties. Western Kentucky's priorities are clearly at the front of the line in Washington, and I was proud to work alongside Senator McConnell, State Representative Melinda Gibbons-Prunty, State Representative Scott Lewis, and other local leaders to provide greater opportunities for these communities."" Scott Lewis, Ohio and Daviess Counties State Representative: Majority Leader McConnell and Congressman Comer continue to deliver for West Kentucky's infrastructure, and I'm grateful for their leadership to put our priorities at the center of the national agenda. Our families and our communities are well-served by their tireless advocacy in Washington on our behalf. This federal interstate designation can build upon our region's strong economic growth, and we all look forward to the great benefits this legislation will bring to our community. Melinda Gibbons-Prunty, Muhlenberg and Hopkins Counties State Representative: I had the privilege of being in Washington, D.C. with Majority Leader McConnell and Congressman Comer when this project was formally announced. I appreciate Senator McConnells extra efforts to get this across the finish line this year. The goal and hope is to enhance economic development for Muhlenberg County, the 15th District, and the entire region. Curtis McGehee, Muhlenberg County-Judge Executive: Once again, Majority Leader McConnell and Congressman Comer have shown they can work across the aisle to get things done for Kentucky. We're continuing to work together to make Muhlenberg County a premier destination for businesses and good jobs for Kentucky families, and we are well served by our members of Congress drawing national attention to these priorities. As I-569, the Western Kentucky Parkway will be a brand new avenue for opportunity, one that can drive economic growth in our community. Gary Jones, Muhlenberg Alliance for Progress Director of Business Development: Because of the leadership of Senator McConnell and Congressman Comer, Western Kentucky is equipped with the tools to thrive. Adding the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway to the federal interstate system can continue advancing economic growth in our region, benefiting our families and communities. We're grateful to both Majority Leader McConnell and Congressman Comer for helping pave the way to Western Kentucky's bright future. Gary Mudd, American Printing House for the Blind Vice-President of Government and Community Affairs: This additional funding will allow APH to provide moreeducational products and services for students who are blind and visually impaired across the country, preparing them for independence and employment. We have always appreciated Senator McConnell's leadership and recognition for what the American Printing House for the Blind does to promote the education of the children and adults we serve. Matt Ricketts, Crounse Corporation President & CEO: The entire inland waterways industry is greatly appreciative of Leader McConnell's efforts in securing vital funds for the modernization of our nation's inland waterways. These funds ensure that construction will continue at the Olmsted and Kentucky lock projects, while growing Kentucky's economy and enhancing the competitive position of Kentucky's agricultural, manufacturing, energy and many other industries. We are grateful for Senator McConnell's leadership. Modernizing State Election Systems to Combat Interference Michael Adams, Kentucky Secretary of State-Elect: I want to thank Senate Majority Leader McConnell for his efforts to help provide Kentucky with welcome resources to continue to improve our election systems, keeping them fair and secure. His commitment to getting states the money they need without Washington mandates will help ensure that the people of Kentucky remain in charge of our elections and their results.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comer.house.gov/2019/12/partisan-impeachment-charade-divides-country-congress-must-do-better,Partisan Impeachment Charade Divides Country; Congress Must Do Better,2019-12-23,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"In launching these proceedings – and impeaching a duly-elected President without even alleging a crime – Nancy Pelosi took America down a dark and divisive path that did a tremendous disservice to our nation. In a year when our leaders should have consistently come together to create jobs, grow the economy and more, Democrats instead decided to occupy the country’s time by fulfilling their three-year drive to impeach President Trump. They have been determined to take this action ever since President Trump was inaugurated, a plot that Nancy Pelosi recently admitted began two and a half years ago, long before the alleged wrongdoing in a phone call with the President of Ukraine. Thankfully, Senator McConnell has already indicated that the effort to oust President Trump is dead on arrival in the United States Senate. The articles of impeachment outline no evidence of high crimes, bribery, or other impeachable offenses, the plain and simple rationale of my strong opposition. The opposition to this baseless, partisan impeachment is bipartisan, with multiple House Democrats joining all Republicans to vote against the crusade. Kentuckians are even less supportive of the effort to remove the President from office. As I said on the House floor, the people I represent in Kentucky’s First Congressional District are appalled at the charade put on by the House in recent months. They overwhelmingly supported the President in 2016 to drain the swamp, enact change and fight on their behalf, which he has done. America’s economy is roaring like never before, the taxes of all Americans have been reduced, and President Trump recently sealed the deal on a modernized trade agreement that is great news for our farmers, middle-class workers and industries. Personal disdain for an individual and the values of his supporters are not reasons to remove an American President from office. In seeking to silence the voices of the 63 million Americans who voted for President Trump through a sham impeachment process, the other side made clear that dividing the country was their goal. They couldn’t fight against the President’s own successful record, or beat him at the ballot box, so they impeached him. That approach to governing is exactly the attitude that is ripping our country apart, stirring tensions and emotions over politics to unprecedented heights. Instead of wasting our time seeking to undo a national election, Democrats should push back against their far-left base and join with Republicans and President Trump to work together for the good of the country. Passage of the USMCA was a good start, but passing major, bipartisan legislation outside of the ugly shadow of impeachment would send a message that divisive impeachment politics are in the rearview mirror. That is my hope for the United States Congress in 2020.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=387178,Guthrie Announces Mammoth Cave Grant,2019-12-23,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Brett Guthrie,G000558,guthrie.house.gov,,,legacy,"Guthrie Announces Mammoth Cave Grant Washington, December 23, 2019 WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) today announced that the National Park Foundation Open OutDoors for Kids program is awarding a $10,000 grant to Mammoth Cave National Park. The grant will be used to connect 2,000 fourth graders from nearby elementary schools to Mammoth Cave for field trips. Mammoth Cave is the pride of the Second District, said Guthrie. I am proud to announce this grant that will give local students the chance to visit the park. Using this grant money, kids will be able to enjoy STEM activities at the park, go on scenic hikes, and take a ranger-led cave tour. As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I know this will be a great opportunity for Second District students. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=12CF6251-18EC-4242-A65C-92BA997CC6FE,Kentucky Benefits from Legislation Senator McConnell Led to Passage and President Trump Signed into Law,2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) led the Senate to pass the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding bills that deliver necessary resources to provide for our national defense, continue important federal programs, and benefit Kentucky families and communities. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell advocated for the Kentucky priorities in the legislation, which President Donald Trump signed into law today. Kentuckians living everywhere from Paducah to Pikeville contact me asking for help, and I'm proud to use my position as Senate Majority Leader to put Kentucky's priorities at the center of the national agenda, said Senator McConnell. From providing for our servicemembers and veterans, to addressing the substance abuse and youth vaping crises, to boosting Kentucky's economy, I fought to ensure these bills deliver for Kentucky families and communities. Click HERE to read what Kentuckians are saying about Senator McConnell's leadership The FY 2020 Government Funding Agreement contains the following important Kentucky priorities secured by Senator McConnell: Protecting Coal Families' Pension and Health Benefits Senator McConnell successfully secured the bipartisan legislation he introduced with Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), to protect pension and health benefits for Kentucky miners and their families. The Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019 secures funding for the 1974 miner Pension Plan to prevent its insolvency. It also expands the existing health care benefits provided under Senator McConnell's HELP for Coal Miners Health Care Act of 2017 to the orphaned coal miners whose benefits have been put in jeopardy due to recent coal company bankruptcies. These actions will secure the pensions of 92,000 coal miners and protect health care benefits for 13,000 miners. Raising the Minimum Tobacco Purchase Age to 21 Senator McConnell introduced with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) a bipartisan bill to raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21. Utilizing his role as Senate Majority Leader, Senator McConnell successfully secured the provision in the end of the year funding bill. The Tobacco-Free Youth Act raises the nationwide minimum age to buy all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, from 18 to 21 to better protect young people from the dangers of nicotine. Keeping Promises to Kentucky Veterans with Louisville VA Medical Center Senator McConnell successfully secured the remaining $410 million needed for construction of the new Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Louisville, Kentucky. The project received a boost earlier this year, when President Trump at Senator McConnell's request -- included full funding for the new VAMC facility in his Fiscal Year 2020 budget request. President Trump personally contacted Senator McConnell to inform him of this critical step forward for the project. With this funding legislation. Senator McConnell is fulfilling our country's promise to Kentucky veterans for a new, modern health-care facility. Since 2008, he has used his leadership position as well as his seniority on the Senate Appropriations Committee to prioritize funding for the project. Senator McConnell previously secured a total of $450 million for the new facility, including the project's first appropriation of $75 million in a 2008 government-funding bill. Fulfilling Obligation to Paducah Nuclear Workers Senator McConnell secured $314 milliona $40 million increase over last year's funding level to support workers performing necessary environmental cleanup operations at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PDGP). Among other initiatives, funding will also support operations and critical facility upgrades at Paducah's DUF-6 conversion facility, which Senator McConnell established and currently employs over 200 workers. Opening New Doors for Hemp's Revival in Kentucky Kentucky has been at the forefront of hemp production ever since the authorization of industrial hemp pilot programs established by Senator McConnell's provision in the 2014 Farm Bill. Last December, President Trump signed into law the 2018 Farm Bill, which included Senator McConnell's initiative to legalize hemp as an agricultural commodity by removing it from the federal list of controlled substances. The end of the year funding bills included: $16.5 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement Senator McConnell's hemp provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill. $2 million for the research of hemp through Agriculture Research Service (ARS) sites like those in Lexington and Bowling Green, Kentucky. A measure encouraging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue formal enforcement discretion guidance for CBD products. A provision directing the Farm Credit Administration to offer services to hemp producers and businesses. A prohibition on the federal government from banning the transfer, production or sale of hemp in accordance with the 2014 Farm Bill. Support for competitive USDA grants for hemp projects. A measure to support the Drug Enforcement Agency's efforts to deploy technology to enable law enforcement to distinguish between hemp and marijuana in the field. Combatting invasive Asian Carp in West Kentucky $25 million to fight the War on Asian Carp. Senator McConnell helped secure $11 million for this initiative last year. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will use the funding to help remove Asian Carp, an invasive species, from waterways like Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. This funding includes $2.5 million for contract fishing. Earlier this year, USFWS agreed to Senator McConnell's request to deploy the advanced Unified Method of Fishing, which involves corralling Asian Carp into one location using electronic technology and extracting the fish from the water with specialized nets. This technique has been successful in controlling Asian Carp populations abroad, and the USGS has successfully deployed it in Missouri and Illinois. In May, Senator McConnell visited Western Kentucky with members of the Trump Administration, where they discussed options, such as the Unified Method, to address the Asian Carp invasion with local officials, community leaders and the local media. Last month at Lake Barkley, Senator McConnell was joined by Congressman James Comer (KY-01) to push the button deploying the bio-acoustic fish fence (BAFF) at Barkley Lock to keep Asian Carp from moving up the Cumberland River. The experiment marked the first time the BAFF has been tested at a lock and dam on a large river. Supporting those in recovery and stopping the flow of illegal drugs in Kentucky communities Includes $1.375 billion for the border wall system and maintains the president's critical transfer authorities for border security and immigration enforcement. $25 million for the transitional housing pilot program established under Senator McConnell's Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act. The CAREER Act, which is a measure Senator McConnell and Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) established in the landmark opioid package signed into law last year, helps address the devastating impact of substance abuse on America's workforce by connecting recovering individuals with career services and stable housing opportunities. CAREER's transitional housing pilot program will support long-term recovery by providing funding for temporary housing opportunities for individuals until they can arrange a more permanent living situation. $4 million for the competitive grant program established under the CAREER Act, which provides funding to treatment centers to help individuals in recovery transition back into the workforce. $48 million for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Anti-Heroin and Anti-Methamphetamine Task Force programs. Senator McConnell supported the increased funding for the Anti-Methamphetamine program to target this major problem endangering Kentucky families. The COPS funding supports state and local law enforcement agencies, including those in Kentucky, in their efforts to investigate the unlawful distribution of heroin, prescription opioids, and methamphetamines. $3.4 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which provides communities with resources to address their unique challenges, including the devastating effects from the opioid and substance abuse epidemic, especially for those communities in rural Kentucky. $518 million to help state and local law enforcement officials respond to the opioid and substance abuse epidemic. This includes $103 million for Drug Courts and Veteran's Treatment Courts. $547 million for the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program to support local law enforcement. Last year, Senator McConnell worked with state officials to secure millions to help Kentucky communities meet law enforcement needs, including supporting drug task forces throughout the Commonwealth. $220.6 million to support the National Guard Counter-Drug Program. The Kentucky National Guard, working with Appalachia HIDTA, Kentucky State Police, and other law enforcement agencies, will use funding from this program to support marijuana eradication efforts in Eastern Kentucky. $285 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program to combat meth and opioid abuse. Earlier this year, Senator McConnell announced that Boyd County, Kentucky was chosen for inclusion in the Appalachia HIDTA program. McConnell advocated for Boyd County's inclusion into the HIDTA program, which provides law enforcement agencies in designated counties with coordination, equipment, technology and additional resources to combat drug production and trafficking. Senator McConnell has also fought for the expansion of the Appalachia HIDTA to include hard-hit counties across the state, including Jefferson County in 2009, Hardin County in 2012, Nelson and Madison Counties in 2014, and Montgomery and Powell Counties in 2018. He also helped secure the inclusion of Boone, Campbell and Kenton Counties into the Ohio HIDTA in 2016. Because of Senator McConnell's consistent advocacy, nearly half of all Kentuckians currently live in a HIDTA county. Over $101 million for the Drug Free Communities program. Senator McConnell is proud to support this special program, which provides funding to local communities to create educational programs and raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse. $10 milliona $5 million increasefor Senator McConnell's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) initiative to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis A, B, and C, instances of which have increased due to the opioid epidemic. This year's language ensures funding may be utilized to combat the spread of hepatitis A. $2 million for Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers (CORCs), which Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) secured in last year's landmark opioid legislation. Facilities will offer all FDA-approved treatments, counseling and wrap-around services for individuals working toward long-term recovery from substance abuse. Supporting Kentucky's Critical Role in our National Defense Provides well-deserved pay raise for servicemembers -- the largest increase in a decade. $61.3 million for new military construction projects at Fort Campbell, including $7.1 million for an Automated Infantry Platoon Battle Course, $51 million for a General Purpose Maintenance Shop, and $3.2 million for Easements. $869 million for the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program, which supports chemical demilitarization efforts at the Blue Grass Army Depot. Providing Tax Relief Secures and extends a number of tax priorities that benefit Kentucky, including the following: Renewal of key tax relief for Kentucky's distilleries and breweries. Tax credits to support investments in Kentucky short line railroads. Protections for Kentucky's signature horse racing industry. Tax relief for mortgage debt forgiveness for Kentucky homeowners. Empowerment zone tax incentives to help economically distressed regions in Eastern Kentucky. Above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition and higher education expenses for Kentucky students Access to federal government grants and disaster assistance for tax-exempt rural electric cooperatives. Repeals even more of Obamacare by cutting out more harmful taxes: Fully repeals the health insurance tax to lower Kentuckian's premiums. Fully repeals the Cadillac tax to ensure employers can continue offering robust health insurance benefits to employees and their families. Fully repeals the medical device tax to promote job growth. Economic Development, Infrastructure and Preparing Students and Workers to Meet Their Bright Future McConnell/Comer legislation to aid economic development in Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties. As Senate Majority Leader, Senator McConnell successfully secured legislation to designate a section of the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway in Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties as a spur of Interstate 69 (I-569). Majority Leader McConnell and Congressman James Comer (KY-01) introduced the legislation that will highlight the region's connections with the federal interstate highway system and aid in attracting new industry and economic development in the region. Additionally, the McConnell/Comer legislation provides an exemption to the federal weight limit on the Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway. $65.9 million for the construction of the Forage Animal Production Lab at the University of Kentucky. The research done at this ARS site focuses on meeting the needs of both the cattle and horse industries. Senator McConnell secured funding in prior appropriations bills to establish ARS labs at the University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University. This important project will help UK and its local partners continue making Central Kentucky a national leader in high-tech agricultural research. $115 million for the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) pilot program, $25 million of which will go to Kentucky for the development of projects on land previously used to mine coal to support economic development in Appalachia. As Senate Majority Leader, Senator McConnell worked with U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY) to create the AML Pilot in 2015. So far, Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers have helped secure $130 million from this federal program for Kentucky projects. $333 million for the Economic Development Administration (EDA), which provides federal competitive grants to communities to assist with economic development. Since 2016, Senator McConnell helped secure nearly $15 million in federal competitive grants for Kentucky through EDA grant programs. This year, he secured $4 million for the Estill County Board of Education in Irvine, Kentucky. The grant will help build an Area Technical Center (ATC) educational building, expected to help create more than 500 jobs and retain 450 workers. In 2017, Senator McConnell also secured $3 million in EDA funding to renovate the Rochester Dam in Western Kentucky. $32 million for the American Printing House for the Blind in Louisville to continue its important work to create innovative products for visually impaired students and people across the country. $10 million in U.S. Department of Education funding to support work colleges like Berea College and Alice Lloyd College in Kentucky. $30 million through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to provide career and training services to dislocated workers in rural areas, including dislocated coal workers in Kentucky. $2.6 billion in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' major construction account that will complete Olmsted Locks and Dam and support continued construction of the Kentucky Lock project for Kentucky's more than 20,000 maritime workers. $175 million for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). This is record level funding for ARC and its important work in Eastern Kentucky. In particular, Senator McConnell helped secure resources for the following priorities: $50 million for the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) grant program. Funding provided through POWER grants gives local organizations the tools they need to make a positive impact in their communities. For example, just this year a Kentucky organization received a $1.7 million POWER grant to establish new centers to help Kentuckians in recovery combat their substance abuse addictions. In the past two fiscal years, Senator McConnell has secured $100 million for the POWER grant program; $16 million for infrastructure and water infrastructure priorities for distressed counties in Central Appalachia. This program was established by Senator McConnell; $10 million to continue a program for high-speed broadband deployment in distressed counties in Central Appalachia that have been most negatively impacted by the downturn in the coal industry; and $10 million for a new pilot project established by Senator McConnell to address the substance abuse crisis in Appalachia. $30 million for the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) -- a $5 million increase over last year's funding level. DRA supports economic and infrastructure development in the Mississippi Delta region, including a number of counties in Western Kentucky. $100 million in dedicated funding for the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), which will go towards funding remaining ADHS priorities, including the completion of 12 miles of road projects in Letcher and Pike Counties in Kentucky. $162 million for the Essential Air Service Program, which benefits the Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah and the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport. $2 billion for the U.S. Department of Transportation's BUILD and INFRA grant programs, which fund critical infrastructure projects around the country. Senator McConnell is proud to support his constituents' applications for these grants, and has worked with the Trump administration to bring nearly $165 million to construction projects across the Bluegrass State. A provision directing the USFWS to support the Green River National Wildlife Refuge (GRNWR) in Henderson County and its goals of conservation as well as increased hunting and fishing opportunities. In 2018, Senator McConnell secured language directing the Department of Interior to establish the GRNWR. Senator McConnell joined Trump Administration officials at a ceremony officially designating the new wildlife refuge last month. A provision encouraging the USFWS to remove certain inoperable locks and dams along the Green and Barren Rivers. The bill provides almost $19 million for USFWS to work with states like Kentucky to remove unnecessary legacy structures or barriers that harm fish habitats. $750 million for the Fossil Energy Research and Development Program, which includes support for research on clean coal technology as well as for research on rare earth elements. In years past, money from this program has gone to Kentucky to support clean coal technology. Last year, the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research received funding through the program. Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area Study Act. Senator McConnell worked with Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to complete a study to determine whether Kentucky's Appalachian region meets the requirements to become the state's first National Heritage Area. As a National Heritage Area, the region would receive technical assistance and federal funding through a partnership with the National Park Service. Modernizing State Election Systems to Combat Interference $425 million for states to enhance their voting systems. Kentucky is expected to receive more than $6 million. Senator McConnell has a long and strong record of fighting for fair and effective voting procedures, from co-authoring the Help America Vote Act to supporting $380 million for states for election security for the 2018 midterm election (Kentucky received nearly $6 million). This year, the Senate under Senator McConnell's leadership -- has already passed almost a dozen other bipartisan measures to help secure elections. Since 2018, Senator McConnell has secured more than $12 million in funding for Kentucky. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=1221CC58-D8D5-4908-885C-E695413C951D,Prestonsburg High School Students Sweep Congressional App Challenge for 5th Year in a Row,2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC -- A Prestonsburg High School student team has won the Congressional App Challenge for Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District for the fifth consecutive year. The winning team includes: Jenna Lewis, Bobbie Fisher, Nathaniel Curnutte and Samuel Carroll. They won the competition by developing the ""Appalachia Opioid Prevention App."" The mobile application provides five functions to help address drug abuse treatment and prevention options. The app is designed to provide treatment options nearest to your current location; resources for Naloxone, a life-saving medication to revive someone during an overdose; educational information about how to react if someone overdoses in your presence; education and prevention videos to raise awareness in your community; and an overview of legislation that has been enacted to combat drug abuse. The ""Appalachia Opioid Prevention App"" will be featured in the U.S. Capitol Building this year, representing Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District. ""The students at Prestonsburg High School are learning two vital lessons: not only are they learning a how to code, but they are learning how they can create a mobile resource that can change and even save lives. I'm incredibly proud that they identified the opioid epidemic as an issue that they wanted to impact in a positive way,"" said Congressman Rogers. ""I applaud the ingenuity of our mountain students and their diligent work on this concept. We have incredibly talented students in Eastern Kentucky and I'm proud that their ideas will be on display in Washington, DC."" The Congressional App Challenge invites winners from across the country to showcase their apps to Members of Congress and members of the tech community at the House of Code, a reception on Capitol Hill that will be held in 2020. ""I really enjoy coding in class every day,"" said Bobbie Fisher, a member of the winning team. ""This was an excellent experience to create a product as a team and I hope to do it again."" ""Never, ever underestimate the power of a dedicated teacher and the desire of students to succeed,"" said Lori Bricken, Principal of Prestonsburg High School. ""We are very proud of Dr. Shannon and his students."" ""The students took on a topic that was very useful for our region. It is a pleasure to work with such a talented and unified team,"" said Dr. Jeff Shannon, IT Teacher. ""The Floyd County School system is excited about the work Dr. Shannon and his students accomplish each year for the App Challenge,"" said Danny Adkins, Superintendent of Floyd County Schools. ""They have set the bar for the top competition nationally!"" The winning students will also receive $250 each in Amazon Web Service Credits. To participate in the 2020 Congressional App Challenge, stay updated at https://halrogers.house.gov and on Facebook @CongressmanHalRogers. Visit CongressionalAppChallenge.us to learn more about the annual competition. Click here to watch the students' video demonstration of their app design. Prestonsburg High School Team 2019 Winners of the Congressional App Challenge (Front row from left to right) Jenna Lewis, Bobbie Fisher, Nathaniel Curnutte and Samuel Carroll. (Back row) Floyd Co. Superintendent Danny Adkins and Dr. Jeff Shannon",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=16E06FC6-EAFE-48DA-8356-0C625E2FBEC7,McConnell Updates Senate on Impeachment Procedure,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding impeachment procedure: For the information of all our colleagues Earlier this afternoon, my friend the Democratic Leader and I had a cordial conversation. We discussed potential paths forward following the House Democrats' precedent-breaking impeachment of President Trump. Our conversation was cordial. But my friend from New York continues to insist on departing departing from the unanimous bipartisan precedent that 100 Senators approved before the beginning of President Clinton's trial. In 1999, Senators recognized that there might well be disagreements about questions that would arise at the middle and end of the trial, such as witnesses. And so all 100 senators endorsed a commonsense solution: We divided the process into two stages. The first resolution passed unanimously before the trial began. It laid initial groundwork, such as scheduling, and structured early steps like the opening arguments. Mid-trial questions such as witnesses would be left until the middle of the trial, when senators could make more informed judgments. All 100 senators including me, Senator Schumer, and a number of our colleagues on both sides who were here in 1999 endorsed that first resolution as a bipartisan, minimalist first step. But as of today, we remain at an impasse. Because my friend the Democratic Leader continues to demand a new and different set of rules for President Trump. He wants us to break from that unanimous bipartisan precedent and force an all-or-nothing approach. He wants a special pre-trial guarantee of certain witnesses whom the House Democrats did not even bother to pursue themselves as they assembled their case or he wants to proceed without any organizing resolution whatsoever. So as I said, a cordial conversation, we remain at an impasse on these logistics. I continue to believe that the unanimous bipartisan precedent that was good enough for President Clinton ought to be good enough for this President too. Fair is fair. Now, of course there is the matter of the articles of impeachment themselves. In a highly unusual step, the Speaker of the House continues to hem and haw about whether and when she intends to take the normal next step and transmit the House's accusations to the Senate. Some House Democrats imply they are withholding the articles for some kind of leverage so they can dictate the Senate process to Senators. I admit, I'm not sure what leverage there is in refraining from sending us something we do not want! Meanwhile, other House Democrats seem to be suggesting they'd prefer never to transmit the articles. And the Speaker of the House herself has been unclear on this. Her message has been somewhat muddled. So we have this fascinating situation where, following House Democrats' rush to impeachment, following weeks of pronouncements about the urgency of this situation, the prosecutors have now developed cold feet. The House Democrat prosecution seem to have gotten cold feet and to be unsure whether they even want to proceed to a trial. Like I said a pretty unusual spectacle. And, in my view, not one that reflects well on the House. So we'll continue to see how this develops, and whether the House Democrats ever work up the courage to take their accusations to trial. But let me close with this. I am proud the Senate came together today to confirm more well-qualified nominees and pass major legislation for the American people. I wish all my colleagues a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a joyous New Year. I hope everyone enjoys this important time with our families and loved ones. We'll see you in 2020.'",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=17523CAF-6BA1-4894-9BD0-45A67B1A2D96,McConnell Bill to Raise Tobacco Purchase Age to 21 Now Goes to President for Signature,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. The United States Senate approved today the Tobacco-Free Youth Act, introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), to raise the nationwide minimum age to buy all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, from 18 to 21 and help protect young people from the dangers of nicotine. Utilizing his role as Majority Leader and as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell secured their bipartisan bill in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement, which now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature. Kentucky continues to punch above its weight in Washington as I use my position as Majority Leader to advance Kentucky priorities, such as my bipartisan bill with Senator Tim Kaine, to stem the tide of early nicotine addiction among youth in Kentucky and across the nation, said Majority Leader McConnell. I'm proud the Senate approved legislation today including our Tobacco-Free Youth Act to help address this urgent crisis and keep these dangerous products away from our children. It is because of my position as a tobacco state Senator that I introduced this bill, and it is because of my role as Senate Majority Leader that President Trump will be signing the Tobacco-Free Youth Act into law by week's end. It seems like every day that we hear about the increasing danger of vaping devices, and too many parents just don't know what to do to protect their kids. I'm proud that Senator McConnell heard our concerns and immediately stepped in to help, said Senator Julie Raque Adams, Senate Majority Caucus Chair. His legislation can address this crisis head-on to keep our children safe and away from the dangers of nicotine and vaping. Once again, having the Senate Majority Leader put our state's interests first has delivered results, and Senator McConnell is helping our kids grow into healthy and successful adults. As a health care professional and a mother, I worry about the long-lasting effects of tobacco use on our children, and I'm so proud that Senator McConnell took action to protect our families, said Kentucky Representative Kim Moser. The dangers of nicotine on young people's developmentespecially on their brains and lungscan inflict life-long damage. Raising the minimum tobacco purchase age to 21 will help keep these harmful products away from our kids, and I can't thank Senator McConnell enough for his vision and leadership for our children's future. Passage of this lifesaving legislation is an enormous victory for the health of our young people. By raising the age to buy tobacco products nationwide, we can save 223,000 lives and reduce youth tobacco use. I'm grateful for the work of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and all the Virginians who made their voices heard to join us in this critical effort to improve public health. This is one of many steps we should take to tackle the youth e-cigarette epidemic that touches every corner of our nation, said U.S. Senator Tim Kaine. As senators from two states with a long history of tobacco production and consumption, Senators McConnell and Kaine have seen the negative effects of youth tobacco use and have heard compelling public health stories from concerned constituents throughout their states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2019, over 6 million U.S. middle and high school students were current users of tobacco products with 1 in 3 high school students and 1 in 8 middle school students reporting using some type of tobacco product in the past 30 days. In response, the two Senators introduced the Tobacco-Free Youth Act to help stem the tide of these alarming trends by making it unlawful for retailers to sell tobacco products to anyone younger than 21. A report from the Institute of Medicine found that most adult smokers start smoking before age 21 and that increasing the tobacco age to 21 could save lives, improve public health, and reduce tobacco initiation among youth. Young tobacco users may not know what chemicals they are putting into their bodies, let alone the long-term health risks that could negatively impact them as adults. Background: The Tobacco-Free Youth Act will be effective immediately upon signature of the President and with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acting swiftly to enforce this law.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=35DDEE34-7E7D-40AB-9B77-59A0C8A46EA2,McConnell Bill to Protect Coal Miner Pension Benefits Now Goes to President for Signature,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. The United States Senate approved today the Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019, introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), to protect pension benefits for coal miners and their families. Utilizing his role as Majority Leader and as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell secured their bipartisan bill in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement, which now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature. Kentucky continues to punch above its weight in Washington as I use my position as Majority Leader to advance Kentucky priorities, such as my bipartisan bill with Senators Capito and Manchin, to safeguard coal miners' pension and health care benefits from a looming threat. As Senate Majority Leader, I personally told President Trump and my Congressional colleagues that this was a top priority for me and for thousands of Kentuckians in need, said Majority Leader McConnell. I'm proud the Senate approved legislation today including our Bipartisan American Miners Act to help Kentucky coal miners, retirees, and their families. It is because of my role as Senate Majority Leader our legislation was included in the government-funding bill and that President Trump will be signing the Bipartisan American Miners Act into law by week's end. The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) President Cecil E. Roberts, applauded Senate passage and thanked Senator McConnell for his leadership, saying, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's support was crucial to passing this legislation, and on behalf of America's retired coal miners I thank him for his efforts to ensure this became a reality. We will never forget it. Once this legislation is signed by the President, Congress will have saved the lives of thousands throughout America. The Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019 will secure funding for the 1974 miner Pension Plan to prevent its insolvency. The bipartisan bill also expands the existing health care benefits provided under Senator McConnell's HELP for Coal Miners Health Care Act of 2017 to the orphaned coal miners whose benefits have been put in jeopardy due to recent coal company bankruptcies. These actions will secure the pensions of 92,000 coal miners and protect health care benefits for 13,000 miners. Throughout my entire Senate career, I've fought to advance policies that support miners and their families and protect them from anti-coal policies. The lasting devastation from President Obama's War on Coal has contributed to a number of recent coal company bankruptcies, throwing many Kentucky coal communities into crisis, and they needed our help, added Majority Leader McConnell. As Senate Majority Leader, I was proud to use my position to deliver for these Kentucky miners and their families. In 2017, Senator McConnell mobilized Congress to permanently secure health care benefits for thousands of retired miners. Had Congress not acted, approximately 3,000 Kentucky coal miner retirees and tens of thousands more around the country would have lost their health care benefits. The bill also included additional assistance for troubled coal-mining communities and dislocated coal workers. As senior appropriators, Senator McConnell and Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) have secured hundreds of millions of dollars for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Economic Development Pilot Program (AML Pilot). ARC funding supports economic growth in Eastern Kentucky by helping create jobs, combat the spiking substance abuse epidemic, and provide employment training for former coal miners, among a number of other worthy initiatives. In 2015, Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers established the AML Pilot, which promotes economic and community development on abandoned mine lands. Since then, they have helped secure more than $100 million for Kentucky through this program. Senator McConnell also helped secure $99 million through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to provide career and training services to dislocated workers in rural areas, including dislocated coal workers in Kentucky who lost their jobs. This includes $3.7 million to help support the recently impacted Harlan County, Kentucky coal miners and their families with employment and training services.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=3D547A08-2422-4FF7-A740-46C9529A2915,McConnell/Kaine Bill to Raise Tobacco Purchase Age to 21 Now Goes to President for Signature,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. The United States Senate approved today the Tobacco-Free Youth Act, introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), to raise the nationwide minimum age to buy all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, from 18 to 21 and help protect young people from the dangers of nicotine. Utilizing his role as Majority Leader and as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell secured their bipartisan bill in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement, which now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature. Kentucky continues to punch above its weight in Washington as I use my position as Majority Leader to advance Kentucky priorities, such as my bipartisan bill with Senator Tim Kaine, to stem the tide of early nicotine addiction among youth in Kentucky and across the nation, said Majority Leader McConnell. I'm proud the Senate approved legislation today including our Tobacco-Free Youth Act to help address this urgent crisis and keep these dangerous products away from our children. It is because of my position as a tobacco state Senator that I introduced this bill, and it is because of my role as Senate Majority Leader that President Trump will be signing the Tobacco-Free Youth Act into law by week's end. Passage of this lifesaving legislation is an enormous victory for the health of our young people. By raising the age to buy tobacco products nationwide, we can save 223,000 lives and reduce youth tobacco use. I'm grateful for the work of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and all the Virginians who made their voices heard to join us in this critical effort to improve public health. This is one of many steps we should take to tackle the youth e-cigarette epidemic that touches every corner of our nation, said Senator Kaine. As senators from two states with a long history of tobacco production and consumption, Senators McConnell and Kaine have seen the negative effects of youth tobacco use and have heard compelling public health stories from concerned constituents throughout their states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2019, over 6 million U.S. middle and high school students were current users of tobacco products with 1 in 3 high school students and 1 in 8 middle school students reporting using some type of tobacco product in the past 30 days. In response, the two Senators introduced the Tobacco-Free Youth Act to help stem the tide of these alarming trends by making it unlawful for retailers to sell tobacco products to anyone younger than 21. A report from the Institute of Medicine found that most adult smokers start smoking before age 21 and that increasing the tobacco age to 21 could save lives, improve public health, and reduce tobacco initiation among youth. Young tobacco users may not know what chemicals they are putting into their bodies, let alone the long-term health risks that could negatively impact them as adults. Background: The Tobacco-Free Youth Act will be effective immediately upon signature of the President and with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acting swiftly to enforce this law.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9CC8EDCF-4F88-4FC8-A635-FB9705CAF65E,Senate Majority Leader McConnell Secures Funding to Help Fight Addiction in Kentucky,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that several important provisions to help Kentucky fight the opioid and substance abuse epidemic are included in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement. Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured the provisions (full list below) in the bills the Senate passed today. The legislation now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature. Senator McConnell continues to mobilize the federal government to advance the comprehensive, national response to the scourge of opioid and substance abuse. Delivering resources to Kentucky through programs like his CAREER Act and other prevention, treatment and enforcement funding programs, Senator McConnell continues working with partners and experts at all levels to keep drugs out of Kentucky communities and to protect families in the Commonwealth. Kentucky unfortunately remains at the center of the opioid and substance abuse epidemic, and I continue to mobilize the federal government as Senate Majority Leader to fight back, said Senator McConnell. Through comprehensive legislation and unprecedented levels of federal funding, I've delivered critical assistance to Kentucky's local leaders for prevention, treatment, and enforcement in their work to help save lives. This summer brought good news with the first decrease in Kentucky overdose deaths in over a decade, but there is of course much more work to do to protect our communities from the scourge of addiction. I'm proud to continue working with local, state and federal partners to keep these dangerous substances away from Kentucky families. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and other state and local partners applauded Senator McConnell's leadership in the fight to combat the opioid and substance abuse epidemic. To combat the drug scourge, it takes all of us working together and we look forward to working with Senator McConnell and our law enforcement partners, said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. Every day we lose far too many Kentuckians to addiction and more funding is needed to provide treatment and support services to those in desperate need. Kentucky's drug crisis presents a pressing public safety challenge in communities across the Commonwealth and places an ever-increasing strain on law enforcement, said Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. I am grateful to Leader McConnell for securing important funding to combat this epidemic and further support our interdiction efforts and treatment programs across the state. We must use every resource available to combat the drugs that have plagued our neighborhoods and harmed our families. The funding appropriated to combat the opioid epidemic is crucial to our nation and particularly Kentucky where we have been disproportionally affected by this epidemic, said Van Ingram, Director of the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. We appreciate Leader McConnell's continued efforts in securing these much needed funds. As Kentucky law enforcement stands on the frontline against opioid, meth, and substance abuse, we know that Senate Majority Leader McConnell has our back, said Clark County Sheriff Berl Perdue, President of the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police. His efforts to direct critical resources to Kentucky and to increase collaboration among local, state and federal law enforcement is indispensable in our mission to protect the Commonwealth's families and communities. Our country is focused on this issue in large part because of Senator McConnell's leadership, and we're grateful for his unyielding support of Kentucky police officers. The opioid epidemic is not just a public health issue; it is also a workforce issue, and the Kentucky business community has felt the impact of the crisis firsthand, said Ashli Watts, President and CEO for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Leader McConnell listened to our concerns and has led a thoughtful solution to help address the crisis with the CAREER Act. Connection to a stable living environment and gaining purpose found through work is critical to the long-term recovery process. This new funding will help states like Kentucky ensure people stay in recovery and get back into the workforce, which is something employers desperately want. Volunteers of America is so grateful to Leader McConnell for being the driving force behind funding for solutions that effectively address our Nation's addiction crisis. He has been a true partner to us both in serving people at our existing programs and in our expansion to serve pregnant and parenting women in our new Freedom House program in Eastern Kentucky. The Leader is willing to take on the very tough work ahead to help our families and friends overcome substance use disorder and knows it takes integrated and comprehensive solutions like we provide. He is a difference-maker on this vital issue and it is an honor to have his support and leadership, said Jennifer Hancock, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Mid-States. Senate Majority Leader McConnell continues to be a vital partner to Chrysalis House in our work to invest in long-term recovery for women and their families, said Lisa Minton, Chrysalis House Executive Director. We're so proud that Kentucky's fight against substance use disorder has a champion with such national prominence. Senator McConnell's focus on a comprehensive response is making a positive difference in our Commonwealth every day, and his leadership has, without question, helped to save lives. We applaud Senator McConnell's leadership in advancing new resources to support transitional housing and employment tools to help those in treatment for substance use disorder get back into the workplace, said Abby Drane, CEO of Centerstone Kentucky. For so many individuals in recovery, a home and a job can be the key to lasting success. We applaud the Leader for his continued work in advancing solutions to the opioid crisis for Kentuckians. Senator McConnell secured the following important Kentucky priorities in the FY 2020 government funding agreement to support those in recovery and help stop the flow of illegal drugs in Kentucky communities: $25 million for the transitional housing pilot program established under Senator McConnell's Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act. The CAREER Act, which is a measure Senator McConnell and Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) secured in the landmark opioid package signed into law last year, helps address the devastating impact of substance abuse on America's workforce by connecting recovering individuals with career services and stable housing opportunities. CAREER's transitional housing pilot program will support long-term recovery by providing funding for temporary housing opportunities for individuals until they can arrange a more permanent living situation. $4 million for the competitive grant program established under the CAREER Act, which provides funding to treatment centers that help individuals in recovery transition back into the workforce. $48 million for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Anti-Heroin and Anti-Methamphetamine Task Force programs. Senator McConnell supported the increased funding for the Anti-Methamphetamine program to target this major problem endangering Kentucky families right now. The COPS funding supports state and local law enforcement agencies, including those in Kentucky, in their efforts to investigate the unlawful distribution of heroin, prescription opioids, and methamphetamines. Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson has been instrumental in shedding light on the increasing use of methamphetamines in West Kentucky. $3.4 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which provides communities with resources to address their unique challenges, including the devastating effects from the opioid and substance abuse epidemic, especially for those communities in rural Kentucky. $518 million to help state and local law enforcement officials respond to the opioid and substance abuse epidemic. This includes $103 million for Drug Courts and Veteran's Treatment Courts. $547 million for the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program to support local law enforcement. Last year, Senator McConnell worked with state officials to secure millions to help Kentucky communities meet law enforcement needs, including supporting drug task forces throughout the Commonwealth. $220.6 million to support the National Guard Counter-Drug Program. The Kentucky National Guard, working with Appalachia HIDTA, Kentucky State Police, and other law enforcement agencies, will use funding from this program to support marijuana eradication efforts in Eastern Kentucky. $285 million for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) to combat meth and opioid abuse. Earlier this year, Senator McConnell announced that Boyd County, Kentucky was chosen for inclusion in the Appalachia HIDTA program. McConnell advocated for Boyd County's inclusion into the HIDTA program, which provides law enforcement agencies in designated counties with coordination, equipment, technology and additional resources to combat drug production and trafficking. Senator McConnell has also fought for the expansion of the Appalachia HIDTA to include hard-hit counties across the state, including Jefferson County in 2009, Hardin County in 2012, Nelson and Madison Counties in 2014 and Montgomery and Powell Counties in 2018. He also helped secure the inclusion of Boone, Campbell and Kenton Counties into the Ohio HIDTA in 2016. Because of Senator McConnell's consistent advocacy, nearly half of all Kentuckians currently live in a HIDTA county. Over $101 million for the Drug Free Communities program. Senator McConnell is proud to support this special program which provides funding to local communities to create educational programs and raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse. $2 million for Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers (CORCs), which Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) secured in last year's landmark opioid legislation. Facilities will offer all FDA-approved treatments, counseling and wrap-around services for individuals working toward long-term recovery from substance abuse. $10 million for a new Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) pilot project established by Senator McConnell to address the substance abuse crisis in Appalachia. Since becoming Majority Leader in 2015, Senator McConnell has prioritized federal resources to fight the opioid and substance abuse epidemic by increasing federal funding for the response. Under McConnell's leadership, Kentucky has received more than $240 million to help fight the epidemic. Senator McConnell recently worked with the University of Kentucky to help secure an $87 million federal competitive grant to address the opioid crisis in high-risk communities. He has also helped secure inclusion of some of Kentucky's hardest-hit counties in the Office of National Drug Control Policy's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program to promote coordination and support for law enforcement in Kentucky. Senator McConnell regularly draws attention to Kentucky's prevention, treatment and enforcement efforts with the President's Cabinet and federal agencies. At his request, multiple Drug Czars have visited Kentucky to see the innovative work being done in the Commonwealth. Earlier this year, at Senator McConnell's invitation, Director Carroll joined the Senator for visits to Louisville, Northern Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky. Last year, President Trump signed into law the landmark opioid and substance abuse bill Senator McConnell helped shepherd to enactment. The measure included the Senator's CAREER Act, which recognizes that steady employment and safe housing are critical to long-term recovery. The President also signed into law the Senator's Protecting Moms and Infants Act, which authorized an increase in federal funding to help babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=E3BDD4BF-2A8F-40A8-8B41-FD570579E22F,Majority Leader McConnell Announces Funding to Modernize State Election Systems to Combat Interference,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the Senate approved $425 million for states to enhance their voting systems. Kentucky is expected to receive more than $6 million of that funding, which is included in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement. The measure now goes to President Trump for his signature. Preserving the integrity of our elections is vital for the security and future of our country, and I'm determined to continue to provide Kentucky and all states with the resources they need to protect the ballot box, said Senator McConnell. Working with the Trump administrationwhich helped make the past two elections a successwe're bolstering the work of states and localities as they modernize and safeguard their systems. I want to thank Senate Majority Leader McConnell for his efforts to help provide Kentucky with welcome resources to continue to improve our election systems, keeping them fair and secure, said Kentucky Secretary of State-Elect Michael Adams. His commitment to getting states the money they need without Washington mandates will help ensure that the people of Kentucky remain in charge of our elections and their results. Senator McConnell has a long and strong record of fighting for fair and effective voting procedures, from co-authoring the Help America Vote Act to supporting $380 million for states for election security for the 2018 midterm election (Kentucky received nearly $6 million). This year, the Senate under Senator McConnell's leadership -- already passed nearly a dozen other bipartisan measures to help secure elections. Since Fiscal Year 2018, Senator McConnell has secured more than $12 million in funding for Kentucky to support election security.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=5C7E78AB-334B-4019-8D1E-6D7F69FB2476,"Congressman Barr, Kentucky Stakeholders Praise House Passage of USMCA",2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) today voted to approve the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the trade deal negotiated by President Trump that is expected to provide a major boost to our economy and add more than 176,000 new jobs for American workers. After months of advocating that House Democrats schedule a vote on the deal, Congressman Barr was pleased with the bipartisan support for the agreement. Kentucky stakeholders praised the vote and Congressman Barr’s continued support for the trade deal, which will help Kentucky’s workers, businesses and families. “Today is a monumental day for Kentucky's workers, farmers, and businesses. The USMCA will modernize North American trade, boosting an already historically strong U.S. economy,” said Congressman Barr. “In addition to strengthening our automotive, agriculture and bourbon industries, this trade deal will give us much better leverage as we negotiate better, freer, and fairer trade deals with countries like Japan, the United Kingdom, the European Union and China. My only regret is that it took Speaker Pelosi more than six months to bring this critical, bipartisan legislation to the House floor for a vote.” What others in Kentucky are saying: “We believe free trade is always beneficial to the Bourbon industry. The Bourbon market has room to grow in Canada and Mexico. We hope, when passed, The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will lead to other positive trade discussions which may ultimately lead to removal of recently imposed tariffs and retaliatory tariffs.” – Kentucky Distillers Association President Eric Gregory “House passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement is welcome news for Kentucky farm families. Trade is so important to the sustainability of our farms across this state and throughout the nation. Mexico and Canada are two of our largest trading partners, and the agricultural exports that are going from this state to those countries are worth millions to our Commonwealth’s farm economy. We thank our Congressional delegation who have worked diligently to get this bill passed through the House.” – Kentucky Farm Bureau President Mark Haney “On behalf of Kentucky’s business community, we are pleased to see that progress has been made to ensure the USMCA becomes a reality. Kentucky is a top state for trade and many of our signature industries including bourbon, automotive, aerospace, and agriculture have been negatively affected by recent tariffs. This bipartisan agreement shows that trade is important for economic growth and protecting businesses and consumers. Thank you to Congressman Barr who is a loud and clear voice representing the businesses of Kentucky in urging passage of this agreement.” – Kentucky Chamber President & CEO Ashli Watts “Toyota is pleased a deal has been reached to move forward with a vote on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). We urge Congress to swiftly ratify the agreement so that we and our 8,000 team members can plan for the future.” – Toyota Georgetown Plant President Susan Elkington ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://comer.house.gov/2019/12/congressman-comer-applauds-passage-united-states-mexico-canada-trade-agreement,CONGRESSMAN COMER APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA TRADE AGREEMENT; SPEAKS IN SUPPORT ON HOUSE FLOOR,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"View Remarks Here WASHINGTON D.C. – Today the House of Representatives passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementation Act (H.R. 5430), which sends President Trump’s signature agreement aimed at modernizing and significantly improving trade in America to the Senate for action. The trade deal will provide Kentucky farmers with stability and higher levels of exports while opening access to new markets, including for dairy and poultry. The measure likewise levels the playing field for manufacturing industries who have been crippled by past trade policies, including providing strong oversight and enforcement of the practices of our North American trading partners. “As a farmer by trade, former Commissioner of Agriculture, and a voice for the interests of Kentucky farmers and working-class people in Washington, I’m proud to stand in strong support of the USMCA,” Congressman Comer said. “The economic opportunity this agreement will provide for farmers, middle-class workers, and new and existing businesses is significant. I’m excited to see us finally take action on one of President Trump’s major priorities and look forward to seeing the deal fully ratified by Congress.” The UMSCA updates and improves NAFTA, the 1990s trade agreement that has not been reformed or modernized in over two decades. The agreement was negotiated by President Trump over a year ago, who has been working with members of Congress from both parties to secure support for the measure. Western Kentucky farmers commended Congressman Comer from his constant advocacy in the House of Representatives for taking up the USMCA. A member of the House Agriculture Committee, Comer has delivered multiple floor speeches and signed a series of advocacy letters pushing for action on the agreement in the months leading up to the final vote. Brandon Hunt, a farmer from Christian County, said, “The trade deal that passed the House with Congressman Comer’s strong support will be critical to leveling the playing field and strengthening trade opportunities for rural Kentucky. As a major agriculture-producing area, Christian County is lucky to have a strong ally and advocate for our needs in Washington with Congressman Comer.” Bob McIndoo, a farmer from Henderson County added, “The passage of the USMCA through the House is a huge step forward in providing farmers with more stability and opportunities to increase our exports. As a farmer, it is good to have a fellow farmer like Congressman Comer representing us in Washington, where he voices our concerns and provides leadership on important issues facing the agriculture community.” Jed Clark, a farmer from Graves County, praised Congressman Comer’s leadership on the issue even in the face of delay tactics by House Democrats, who spent most of the year working to impeach President Trump. “While the USMCA should have been taken up by Congress much sooner, I am glad to see progress on an issue that Congressman Comer has led the way on: expanding trade access so that farmers like myself can sell our crops. Thanks to his and President Trump’s leadership and support on this issue, I am confident that we will soon have a much-improved trade deal with Canada and Mexico,” Clark said. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture estimates that Kentucky alone will boast $213 million in agricultural exports to Canada and $49 million in exports to Mexico under the USMCA. Further, 18,709 Kentucky jobs are estimated to be dependent on exports to Canada in Mexico, making action on a new agreement critical to economic growth and job creation. “Without President Trump’s bold leadership, this new, pro-American trade agreement would not have happened. I look forward to continuing working with the President to create jobs and advance economic opportunity for rural Kentucky,” Congressman Comer added.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=387177,Guthrie Votes No on Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Brett Guthrie,G000558,guthrie.house.gov,,,legacy,"Guthrie Votes No' on Articles of Impeachment Washington, December 19, 2019 Congressman Guthrie spoke on the House floor this afternoon on impeachment. Click here to watch his statement. WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) today voted against the two articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump. My Democratic colleagues have been planning to impeach President Trump since the minute he took office, said Guthrie. After months of wasting House time on a partisan investigation, they were unable to produce any evidence that President Trump committed a crime. I voted no on today's articles of impeachment. I look forward to getting back to business on behalf of Kentuckians. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/news-dr-rand-paul-releases-2019-festivus-edition-waste-report/,Dr. Rand Paul Releases 2019 ‘Festivus’ Edition of ‘The Waste Report’,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 19, 2019 Contact: Press@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), chairman of the Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management (FSO) Subcommittee for the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), released his 2019 Festivus edition of The Waste Report. Dr. Paul’s fifth edition of the Festivus Waste Report collects his 2019 Spring, Summer, and Fall Waste Reports as he continues working to alert the American people to how the government uses their hard-earned money. Highlights include: building up Tunisia’s political system and the Pakistani film industry; funding research that involves hooking Zebrafish on nicotine; continuing to turn over so many taxpayer dollars to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority; sending low-quality textbooks to Afghan students, with many of the textbooks sitting in warehouses; supporting “green growth” in Peru; making improper payments; and studying frog mating calls.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/dr-rand-paul-releases-2019-%E2%80%98festivus%E2%80%99-edition-%E2%80%98-waste-report%E2%80%99,Dr. Rand Paul Releases 2019 ‘Festivus’ Edition of ‘The Waste Report’,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 19, 2019 Contact: Press@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), chairman of the Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management (FSO) Subcommittee for the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), released his 2019 Festivus edition of The Waste Report. Dr. Paul's fifth edition of the Festivus Waste Report collects his 2019 Spring, Summer, and Fall Waste Reports as he continues working to alert the American people to how the government uses their hard-earned money. Highlights include: building up Tunisia's political system and the Pakistani film industry; funding research that involves hooking Zebrafish on nicotine; continuing to turn over so many taxpayer dollars to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority; sending low-quality textbooks to Afghan students, with many of the textbooks sitting in warehouses; supporting green growth in Peru; making improper payments; and studying frog mating calls. You can find Dr. Paul's 2019 Festivus edition of The Waste Report, which totals over $50 billion in waste, HERE or below:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.republicanleader.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/majority-leader-mcconnell-announces-funding-to-modernize-state-election-systems-to-combat-interference,Majority Leader McConnell Announces Funding to Modernize State Election Systems to Combat Interference,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.republicanleader.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.19 Majority Leader McConnell Announces Funding to Modernize State Election Systems to Combat Interference WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the Senate approved $425 million for states to enhance their voting systems. Kentucky is expected to receive more than $6 million of that funding, which is included in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement. The measure now goes to President Trump for his signature. Preserving the integrity of our elections is vital for the security and future of our country, and I'm determined to continue to provide Kentucky and all states with the resources they need to protect the ballot box, said Senator McConnell. Working with the Trump administrationwhich helped make the past two elections a successwe're bolstering the work of states and localities as they modernize and safeguard their systems. I want to thank Senate Majority Leader McConnell for his efforts to help provide Kentucky with welcome resources to continue to improve our election systems, keeping them fair and secure, said Kentucky Secretary of State-Elect Michael Adams. His commitment to getting states the money they need without Washington mandates will help ensure that the people of Kentucky remain in charge of our elections and their results. Senator McConnell has a long and strong record of fighting for fair and effective voting procedures, from co-authoring the Help America Vote Act to supporting $380 million for states for election security for the 2018 midterm election (Kentucky received nearly $6 million). This year, the Senate under Senator McConnell's leadership -- already passed nearly a dozen other bipartisan measures to help secure elections. Since Fiscal Year 2018, Senator McConnell has secured more than $12 million in funding for Kentucky to support election security. Print Email Tweet Next Previous",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.republicanleader.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/mcconnell-bill-to-protect-coal-miner-pension-benefits-now-goes-to-president-for-signature,McConnell Bill to Protect Coal Miner Pension Benefits Now Goes to President for Signature,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.republicanleader.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.19 McConnell Bill to Protect Coal Miner Pension Benefits Now Goes to President for Signature Senate approves bipartisan bill introduced by Senators McConnell, Capito, and Manchin to protect coal families' pension benefits. Utilizing his role as Majority Leader, McConnell personally raised the need to address this urgent crisis with President Trump and successfully secured the provision in the end of the year funding bills. WASHINGTON, D.C. The United States Senate approved today the Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019, introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), to protect pension benefits for coal miners and their families. Utilizing his role as Majority Leader and as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell secured their bipartisan bill in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement, which now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature. Kentucky continues to punch above its weight in Washington as I use my position as Majority Leader to advance Kentucky priorities, such as my bipartisan bill with Senators Capito and Manchin, to safeguard coal miners' pension and health care benefits from a looming threat. As Senate Majority Leader, I personally told President Trump and my Congressional colleagues that this was a top priority for me and for thousands of Kentuckians in need, said Majority Leader McConnell. I'm proud the Senate approved legislation today including our Bipartisan American Miners Act to help Kentucky coal miners, retirees, and their families. It is because of my role as Senate Majority Leader our legislation was included in the government-funding bill and that President Trump will be signing the Bipartisan American Miners Act into law by week's end. The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) President Cecil E. Roberts, applauded Senate passage and thanked Senator McConnell for his leadership, saying, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's support was crucial to passing this legislation, and on behalf of America's retired coal miners I thank him for his efforts to ensure this became a reality. We will never forget it. Once this legislation is signed by the President, Congress will have saved the lives of thousands throughout America. The Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019 will secure funding for the 1974 miner Pension Plan to prevent its insolvency. The bipartisan bill also expands the existing health care benefits provided under Senator McConnell's HELP for Coal Miners Health Care Act of 2017 to the orphaned coal miners whose benefits have been put in jeopardy due to recent coal company bankruptcies. These actions will secure the pensions of 92,000 coal miners and protect health care benefits for 13,000 miners. Throughout my entire Senate career, I've fought to advance policies that support miners and their families and protect them from anti-coal policies. The lasting devastation from President Obama's War on Coal has contributed to a number of recent coal company bankruptcies, throwing many Kentucky coal communities into crisis, and they needed our help, added Majority Leader McConnell. As Senate Majority Leader, I was proud to use my position to deliver for these Kentucky miners and their families. In 2017, Senator McConnell mobilized Congress to permanently secure health care benefits for thousands of retired miners. Had Congress not acted, approximately 3,000 Kentucky coal miner retirees and tens of thousands more around the country would have lost their health care benefits. The bill also included additional assistance for troubled coal-mining communities and dislocated coal workers. As senior appropriators, Senator McConnell and Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) have secured hundreds of millions of dollars for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Economic Development Pilot Program (AML Pilot). ARC funding supports economic growth in Eastern Kentucky by helping create jobs, combat the spiking substance abuse epidemic, and provide employment training for former coal miners, among a number of other worthy initiatives. In 2015, Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers established the AML Pilot, which promotes economic and community development on abandoned mine lands. Since then, they have helped secure more than $100 million for Kentucky through this program. Senator McConnell also helped secure $99 million through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to provide career and training services to dislocated workers in rural areas, including dislocated coal workers in Kentucky who lost their jobs. This includes $3.7 million to help support the recently impacted Harlan County, Kentucky coal miners and their families with employment and training services. Related Issues: Coal Print Email Tweet Previous",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.republicanleader.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/mcconnell/kaine-bill-to-raise-tobacco-purchase-age-to-21-now-goes-to-president-for-signature,McConnell/Kaine Bill to Raise Tobacco Purchase Age to 21 Now Goes to President for Signature,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.republicanleader.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.19 McConnell/Kaine Bill to Raise Tobacco Purchase Age to 21 Now Goes to President for Signature Senate approves bipartisan bill introduced by Senators McConnell and Kaine to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21. Utilizing his role as Senate Majority Leader, McConnell successfully secured their provision in the end of the year funding bills. WASHINGTON, D.C. The United States Senate approved today the Tobacco-Free Youth Act, introduced by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), to raise the nationwide minimum age to buy all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, from 18 to 21 and help protect young people from the dangers of nicotine. Utilizing his role as Majority Leader and as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell secured their bipartisan bill in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement, which now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature. Kentucky continues to punch above its weight in Washington as I use my position as Majority Leader to advance Kentucky priorities, such as my bipartisan bill with Senator Tim Kaine, to stem the tide of early nicotine addiction among youth in Kentucky and across the nation, said Majority Leader McConnell. I'm proud the Senate approved legislation today including our Tobacco-Free Youth Act to help address this urgent crisis and keep these dangerous products away from our children. It is because of my position as a tobacco state Senator that I introduced this bill, and it is because of my role as Senate Majority Leader that President Trump will be signing the Tobacco-Free Youth Act into law by week's end. Passage of this lifesaving legislation is an enormous victory for the health of our young people. By raising the age to buy tobacco products nationwide, we can save 223,000 lives and reduce youth tobacco use. I'm grateful for the work of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and all the Virginians who made their voices heard to join us in this critical effort to improve public health. This is one of many steps we should take to tackle the youth e-cigarette epidemic that touches every corner of our nation, said Senator Kaine. As senators from two states with a long history of tobacco production and consumption, Senators McConnell and Kaine have seen the negative effects of youth tobacco use and have heard compelling public health stories from concerned constituents throughout their states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2019, over 6 million U.S. middle and high school students were current users of tobacco products with 1 in 3 high school students and 1 in 8 middle school students reporting using some type of tobacco product in the past 30 days. In response, the two Senators introduced the Tobacco-Free Youth Act to help stem the tide of these alarming trends by making it unlawful for retailers to sell tobacco products to anyone younger than 21. A report from the Institute of Medicine found that most adult smokers start smoking before age 21 and that increasing the tobacco age to 21 could save lives, improve public health, and reduce tobacco initiation among youth. Young tobacco users may not know what chemicals they are putting into their bodies, let alone the long-term health risks that could negatively impact them as adults. Background: The Tobacco-Free Youth Act will be effective immediately upon signature of the President and with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acting swiftly to enforce this law. Related Issues: Tobacco 21 Print Email Tweet Next Previous",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=3418F54A-EB62-4D02-B6D6-AB6B5D6EE4EB,McConnell: Potential Senate Trial Should Follow Unanimous Bipartisan Precedent from 1999,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding impeachment: All eyes today are on the House of Representatives. The country is waiting to see whether these House Democrats will give in to the temptation that every other House in modern history has managed to resist, and misuse the solemn process of impeachment to blow off partisan steam. I'll have more to say on this subject if House Democrats do proceed. But yesterday, I came to the floor to discuss one initial aspect of this that concerns our Senate process. Over the weekend, my colleague the Democratic Leader began asking the Senate to break from precedent, break with the unanimous template from 1999, and begin choreographing the middle of a potential trial before we've even heard opening arguments. In 1999, all 100 senators agreed on a simple pre-trial resolution that set up a briefing, opening arguments, senators' questions, and a vote on a motion to dismiss. Senators reserved all other questions, such as witnesses, until the trial was underway. That was the unanimous bipartisan precedent from 1999. Put first things first, lay the bipartisan groundwork, and leave mid-trial questions to the middle of the trial. I have hoped, and still hope, that the Democratic Leader and I can sit down and reproduce that unanimous bipartisan agreement this time. His decision to try to angrily negotiate through the press is unfortunate. But no amount of bluster will change the simple fact that we already have a unanimous bipartisan precedent. If 100 senators thought this approach was good enough for President Clinton, it ought to be good enough for President Trump. I hope House Democrats see reason and pull back from this precipice. But if they proceed, I hope the Democratic Leader and I can sit down soon and honor the template that was unanimously agreed to the last time.' ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=653EDFBE-E377-403F-A8C3-4CCEF5468BBF,Senator McConnell Secures Kentucky Hemp Priorities,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today he secured several important provisions to benefit Kentucky's growing hemp industry in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement. Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations and Agriculture Committees, secured nearly $20 million to implement the hemp provisions. The measure, approved by the House of Representatives, is expected to be voted on in the Senate this week. Once approved, Senator McConnell's hemp provisions will go to President Trump become law. Hemp producers across the country are looking to Kentucky for our expertise and leadership with this exciting crop, and I'm committed to helping our farmers, processors and manufacturers take full advantage of hemp's potential, said Senator McConnell. These federal resources will help us continue our progress to ensuring hemp is treated just like every other legal commodity. As Kentucky farmers prepare for the 2020 growing season, I'll continue advancing their priorities as Senate Majority Leader so they have the tools needed. I applaud Leader McConnell's efforts to move industrial hemp from the research phase to a commercial one, said Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles. As we continue to restore this crop to its rightful place in Kentucky's agricultural portfolio, it is essential to have clear policy guidance from Congress. It is McConnell's leadership that has made this possible, and I think I speak for everyone when I say we are grateful for the industry he has helped create. Senator McConnell included the following provisions supporting Kentucky's hemp industry in the bill: $16.5 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement Senator McConnell's hemp provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill. $2 million for the research of hemp through Agriculture Research Service (ARS) sites like those in Lexington and Bowling Green, Kentucky. A measure encouraging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue formal enforcement discretion guidance for CBD products. A provision directing the Farm Credit Administration to offer services to hemp producers and businesses. A prohibition on the federal government from banning the transfer, production or sale of hemp in accordance with the 2014 Farm Bill. Support for competitive USDA grants for hemp projects. A measure to support the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) efforts to deploy technology to enable law enforcement to distinguish between hemp and marijuana in the field. Kentucky has been at the forefront of hemp production ever since the authorization of industrial hemp pilot programs established by Senator McConnell's provision in the 2014 Farm Bill. Last December, President Trump signed into law the 2018 Farm Bill, which included Senator McConnell and Congressman James Comer's (KY-01) initiative to legalize hemp as an agricultural commodity by removing it from the federal list of controlled substances. Agriculture leaders from around the country are looking to the Bluegrass State's prospering hemp industry, and Kentucky farmers are benefiting from hemp's resurgence. So far, 102 of Kentucky's 120 counties are growing the crop with 200 processors operating statewide. Earlier this year, Commissioner Quarles announced that approximately $100 million worth of Kentucky-grown and processed hemp products are expected to be sold this year alone. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=B4D1DD32-9A3D-47BF-BD84-455B52D9D920,McConnell Extends Tax Relief for Kentuckys Distillers and Brewers,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Last year, the Kentucky Distillers' Association honored U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell with its prestigious 100 Proof Award for his leadership in championing the state's signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the Senate is expected to pass a one-year extension of the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act this week. Utilizing his role as Majority Leader, Senator McConnell secured an agreement to renew this critical federal tax relief for Kentucky's distillers and brewers in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding bill. The measure, approved by the House of Representatives, is expected be voted on by the Senate this week. Once approved, the government-funding agreement will be sent to President Trump for his signature. In addition to preserving a federal excise tax (FET) reduction for more than 2,000 distillers and breweries, the funding bill extends Senator McConnell's Advancing Growth in the Economy through Distilled (AGED) Spirits Act that provides fairness for bourbon producers by allowing them to deduct interest expense in the year it is paid, rather than at the end of the bourbon-aging process. The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, which was first signed into law by President Trump in 2017 as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, was set to expire at the end of this month. By extending it in this government-funding bill, Senator McConnell has supported the Kentucky bourbon industry's more than 20,000 jobs and craft breweries across the Commonwealth. Kentucky's craft beverage producers make vital contributions to our economy and preserve our treasured heritage, and I'm proud to lead the extension of this tax relief to support thousands of good jobs in communities across the Bluegrass State, said Senator McConnell. Kentucky's bourbon industry draws investment and tourism into our Commonwealth, encouraging local economies and boosting pride in our state. My AGED Spirits Act is a pro-growth measure that puts Kentucky's signature spirit on a level playing field with its competitors at home and abroad. As Senate Majority Leader, I'm prioritizing Kentucky's interests in Washington, and I look forward to sending our legislation supporting the Commonwealth's bourbon workforce to the President's desk. Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers' Association, stated, On behalf of the Birthplace of Bourbon, the Kentucky Distillers' Association and its members, we are immensely grateful for the steadfast leadership of Leader McConnell in shepherding the extension of the FET rollback and the continuation of the AGED Spirits Act. These measures are vitally important in continuing Kentucky Bourbon's historic renaissance, which is pouring more than $8.6 billion into the Commonwealth's economy each year, and is responsible for 20,100 jobs, $1 billion in payroll and $2.3 billion in capital investment. Leader McConnell's crucial commitment to our signature industry will continue to fuel Kentucky's economy, which is why the KDA last year recognized his championship with our prestigious 100 Proof Award.' We appreciate and applaud his unwavering support. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been a steadfast advocate for the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, said Chris Swonger, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States president and CEO. The Senator knows firsthand the devastating impacts Congressional inaction could have had on distillers throughout Kentucky, and his support is instrumental in moving this bill forward. We look forward to continuing to work with Leader McConnell on issues of critical importance to Kentucky distillers and their communities. On behalf of our community of more than 2,000 U.S. craft distillers, we are immensely grateful for the steadfast support from Senator McConnell and the broader Congress. It has been a long, hard fight for this one-year FET extension, a critical relief that will protect our industry in the near-term, and we look forward to working towards FET relief permanence as together we protect the futuresuccess of craft spirits and the peripheral industries we support, said Margie A.S. Lehrman, CEO of the America Craft Spirits Association.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=E98FA4B9-D3CC-4D31-8B6D-4050D27E2C68,Majority Leader McConnell Secures Nearly $66 Million for New Research Lab at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today he secured in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement $65.9 million for the construction of the Forage Animal Production Lab at the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture.The measure, approved by the House, is expected be voted on by the full Senate this week. Once approved the government-funding agreement will be sent to President Trump for his signature. The research done at this Agricultural Research Service (ARS) site will focus on meeting the needs of the growing agri-business sector in the region and will serve both the cattle and horse industries. Senator McConnell secured funding in prior appropriations bills to establish ARS labs at the University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University. This important project will help UK and its local partners continue making Central Kentucky a national leader in high-tech agricultural research. Researchers in Central Kentucky are pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge when it comes to agriculture, and I'm committed to supporting their innovative work, said Senator McConnell. Throughout the country, agriculture and business leader are looking to Kentucky because of our cutting-edge advancements, and the University of Kentucky is helping drive that progress. As Senate Majority Leader, I'm continuing to advance rural priorities at the top of the national agenda, and I was proud to help UK receive the federal resources to further its outstanding research. Leader McConnell understands the vital and growing importance that agriculture plays in the Commonwealth, particularly in serving our cattle and equine industries. Outstanding, high-tech research, increasingly, is a difference maker in ensuring the health of this industry and its continued growth and vibrancy, said University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto. The resources and support Senator McConnell has secured for a Forage Animal Production Lab at UK's College of Agriculture, Food and Environment will help us not simply continue our progress, but ensure that we can accelerate it on behalf of Kentucky's agricultural economy, which means advancing our state, thousands of farm families and two of the Commonwealth's signature industries. On behalf of our faculty, agents, staff, students and the agriculture community we serve, I want to thank Leader McConnell for supporting a new USDA Agricultural Research Services (ARS) lab at UK to serve the cattle and equine industries and build upon the work underway in the current ARS lab located at the University of Kentucky. said UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Dean Nancy Cox. The college has a legacy of pioneering research to support Kentucky's multi-billion dollar agriculture industry. Through Senator McConnell's leadership, these priorities will help keep agriculture research at UK and in the Commonwealth at the leading edge.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comer.house.gov/2019/12/congressman-comer-issues-statement-impeachment-votes,CONGRESSMAN COMER ISSUES STATEMENT ON IMPEACHMENT VOTES,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman James Comer released the following statement after voting against articles of impeachment against President Trump: “Since the beginning of this impeachment inquiry, it’s been disheartening to see the partisan, divisive way in which Democrats have carried out this entire process. House Democrats have been trying to impeach the President ever since the day he took office as part of a baseless attempt to undo the will of 63 million Americans who voted for President Trump. These articles were written and built on a report that was drafted with biased presumptions, cherry-picked witnesses, and “facts” that are vastly disputed. The President did not commit any impeachable offenses, and it’s clear for all to see through the now very well-known phone call transcript. This sets a concerning precedent for “impeachable offenses” moving forward, and I wholeheartedly oppose these baseless articles of impeachment against President Trump.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://comer.house.gov/2019/12/congressman-comer-speaks-strong-opposition-articles-impeachment,CONGRESSMAN COMER SPEAKS IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman James Comer (KY-1) today spoke in strong opposition on the House Floor against the articles of impeachment brought forward against President Trump. He emphasized that the partisan effort is a baseless attempt to undo the will of the 63 million Americans who voted for President Trump. Click here to view Congressman Comer’s full remarks. “Since the beginning of this impeachment inquiry, it’s been extremely troubling to see the partisan, divisive way in which Democrats have carried out this entire process. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised though – they promised they’d unseat this President since the day he took his oath of office. From the start, this has been a baseless attempt to undo the will of 63 million Americans who voted for President Trump. I can tell you – the people I represent in Kentucky – the very people who voted for this President to enact change and fight for this country – are appalled at the charade they’ve seen in the House in recent months. They are appalled at the actions from House Democrats, who have failed to even come close to proving their case. I hope all of my congressional colleagues carefully consider the precedent they are setting by voting in favor of this sham process and these illegitimate articles of impeachment.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=387176,Guthrie Introduces Bipartisan Lower Insulin Costs Now Act,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Brett Guthrie,G000558,guthrie.house.gov,,,legacy,"UPDATE: The Lower Insulin Costs Now Act was included in the Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations package and was signed into law by President Trump on Friday, December 20, 2019. WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, this week introduced the bipartisan Lower Insulin Costs Now Act, along with U.S. Reps. Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), and Mike Kelly (PA-16). Insulin hasn't changed in decades, so there is no reason why the price of it has suddenly spiked,said Guthrie, who led a subcommittee investigation into the rising costs of insulin earlier this year.Our investigation into the price of insulin found that list prices have climbed, hurting the uninsured and underinsured who are forced to pay the high cost. The Lower Insulin Costs Now Act will help bring generics to the market faster so patients are paying lower costs. I was proud to join Reps. Schakowsky, Underwood, and Kelly in introducing this commonsense legislation to make insulin more affordable. More than 30 million Americans are living with type I or type II diabetes, including one in four seniors and a growing number of children. Diabetes is a life-threatening disease that can lead to premature death and exacerbate other chronic conditions. The Lower Insulin Costs Now Act would reduce the cost of insulin by helping lower-cost, generic insulin become available to consumers more quickly. In addition to his subcommittee's investigation into the cost of insulin, Guthrie joined with his fellow leaders on the Energy and Commerce Committee last week to press insurance companies for answers on their role in the rising cost of insulin. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C958C409-0A98-4581-BE41-532CE300525A,Rogers Votes Against Impeachment,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Harold ""Hal"" Rogers (KY-05) released the following statement after voting against the impeachment of President Trump in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Rogers denounced House Democrats for proceeding with articles of impeachment without citation of a crime. ""Speaker Pelosi has spent the last three years building to this day. Despite the flawed, partisan sham of a process – much of which took place behind closed doors – House Democrats still cannot present a shred of evidence to show President Trump committed an impeachable offense. There was no Quid Pro Quo, no high crime or misdemeanor- only a group of House members dead set on removing a duly elected President at any cost. I voted against the articles of impeachment because this is a shameful political charade that has divided our nation. We need to move on from this spectacle and do the job we were elected to do for the American people.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/news-inspector-general-horowitz-admits-bias-fbi-office-general-counsel-attorney-who-faked-evidence/,Inspector General Horowitz Admits Bias from the FBI Office of the General Counsel Attorney Who Faked Evidence,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2019 Contact: Press@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. – While many in the media have downplayed the instances of bias already present in Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s report on the FBI’s “Crossfire Hurricane” investigation into President Donald Trump’s campaign, today, in questioning from U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) Committee hearing, Inspector General Horowitz admitted there was more than is being reported. Inspector General Horowitz admitted bias from the FBI Office of the General Counsel attorney who faked evidence to the FISA court, and who had previously been reported to have texted in support of “the resistance” to President Trump. While the media focus has been on Inspector General Horowitz’s reluctance to connect the bias to malfeasance, the report shows, and the author testified to, widespread bias and widespread misconduct. You can watch the exchange HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/news-sen-rand-paul-shame-house-dragging-america-through-unnecessary-partisan-impeachment/,"Sen. Rand Paul: Shame on the House for Dragging America Through an Unnecessary, Partisan Impeachment",2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2019 Contact: Press@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump: “Over the past several weeks, we have seen sham hearings, selected witnesses, and Democrats who have contorted the facts to fit a fictional narrative. It is shameful that from the first day of this duly elected presidency, these Democrats have been determined to impeach him. This has been unnecessary, distracting, and counterproductive. The Senate will not continue this partisan abuse of power and should at once put an end to the charade.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/inspector-general-horowitz-admits-bias-fbi-office-general-counsel-attorney-who-faked-evidence,Inspector General Horowitz Admits Bias from the FBI Office of the General Counsel Attorney Who Faked Evidence,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2019 Contact: Press@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. While many in the media have downplayed the instances of bias already present in Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz's report on the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane investigation into President Donald Trump's campaign, today, in questioning from U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) Committee hearing, Inspector General Horowitz admitted there was more than is being reported. Inspector General Horowitz admitted bias from the FBI Office of the General Counsel attorney who faked evidence to the FISA court, and who had previously been reported to have texted in support of the resistance to President Trump. While the media focus has been on Inspector General Horowitz's reluctance to connect the bias to malfeasance, the report shows, and the author testified to, widespread bias and widespread misconduct. You can watch the exchange HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/sen-rand-paul-shame-house-dragging-america-through-unnecessary-partisan-impeachment,"Sen. Rand Paul: Shame on the House for Dragging America Through an Unnecessary, Partisan Impeachment",2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2019 Contact: Press@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. Tonight, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump: Over the past several weeks, we have seen sham hearings, selected witnesses, and Democrats who have contorted the facts to fit a fictional narrative. It is shameful that from the first day of this duly elected presidency, these Democrats have been determined to impeach him. This has been unnecessary, distracting, and counterproductive. The Senate will not continue this partisan abuse of power and should at once put an end to the charade. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=056818EF-0839-4D9B-84DD-A15582AD6AE6,"McConnell on Impeachment Procedures: The Senates Duty Is To Conduct a Trial, Not Re-Do House Democrats Homework For Them",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding impeachment: All signs seem to suggest that later this week, House Democrats are finally going to do what many of them have been foreshadowing for three years now and impeach President Trump. It appears that the most rushed, least thorough, and most unfair impeachment inquiry in modern history is about to wind down after just 12 weeks and that its slapdash work product will be dumped on the Senate. I'll have much more to say to our colleagues and to the American people if and when the House does move ahead. But as we speak today, House Democrats still have the opportunity to do the right thing for the country and avoid setting this toxic new precedent. The House can still turn back from the cliff and not deploy this constitutional remedy of last resort to deliver a pre-determined partisan outcome. This morning, I just want to speak to one very specific part of this. Over the weekend, the Democratic Leader decided to short-circuit the customary and collegial process for laying basic groundwork in advance of a potential impeachment trial. The preferable path would have been an in-person conversation, which nonetheless I still hope to pursue. Instead, he chose to begin by writing me an 11-paragraph letter on Sunday evening, deliver it by way of the news media, and begin a cable television campaign a few hours later. The Democratic Leader's letter is an interesting document from the very beginning. For example, in the second of its eleven paragraphs, our colleague literally misquotes the Constitution. That error actually aligns with our colleague's apparent confusion about some of the deeper questions. I'll come back to that in a moment. At first, our colleague's letter appears to request that a potential impeachment trial adopt similar procedures to the Clinton impeachment trial in 1999. Now, I happen to think that's a good idea. The basic procedural framework of the Clinton impeachment trial served the Senate and the nation well in my view. But the problem is that while the Democratic Leader notionally says that he wants a potential 2020 trial to look like 1999, he goes on to demand things that would break with the 1999 model. In President Clinton's trial, we handled procedural issues in two separate Senate resolutions that passed at different times. The first resolution passed unanimously before the trial. It sketched out basic things like scheduling, opening arguments, and the timing of a motion to dismiss. Other, more detailed questions about the middle and the end of the trial, including whether any witnesses would be called, were reserved for a second resolution that was passed in the middle of the trial itself. As a matter of fact, we passed it only after a number of Democrats including Senator Schumer himself voted to dismiss the case. They got a motion to dismiss before the Senate had even decided whether to depose a single witness. Instead of the tried-and-true 1999 model start the trial and then see how senators wish to proceed the Democratic Leader wants to write completely new rules for President Trump. He wants one single resolution upfront instead of two, or however many are needed. He wants to guarantee upfront that the Senate hear from very specific witnesses, instead of letting the body evaluate the witness issue after opening arguments and Senators' questions, like in 1999. And very tellingly our colleague from New York completely omits any motions to dismiss the case, like the one he was happy to vote for himself as a new senator back in 1999. Almost exactly 20 years ago today, prior to the Senate trial, Senator Schumer said this on television direct quote: Certainly any senator, according to the rules, could move to dismiss, which is done Every day, in criminal and civil courts throughout America, motions to dismiss are made. And if a majority vote for that motion to dismiss, the procedure could be truncated. That was Senator Schumer in January 1999. But now, the same process that Senator Schumer thought was good enough for President Clinton, he doesn't want to afford President Trump. Go figure. Look, most people understand what the Democratic Leader is really after: He is simply trying to lock in live witnesses. That is a strange request at this juncture for a couple of reasons. For one thing, the 1999 version of Senator Schumer vocally opposed having witnesses even when the question was raised after hours of opening arguments from the lawyers, hours of questions from Senators, and a failed motion to dismiss. How can he have pre-judged that he favors live witnesses so strongly this time before the Senate even has articles in hand? Moreover, presumably it will be the House prosecutors' job to ask for the witnesses they feel they need to make their case. Why does the Democratic Leader here in the Senate want to pre-determine the House impeachment managers' witness request for them before the House has even impeached the president? Might he be coordinating on these questions with people outside the Senate? Here's one possible explanation. Maybe the House's public proceedings have left the Democratic Leader with the same impression they've left on many of us: That from everything we can tell, House Democrats' slapdash impeachment inquiry has failed to come anywhere near the bar for impeaching a duly-elected president, let alone removing him for the first time in American history. And so those who have been eagerly hoping for impeachment are starting to scramble. Chairman Adam Schiff and House Democrats actively decided not to go to court and pursue potentially useful witnesses because they didn't want to wait for due process. Indeed, they threatened to impeach the President if they had to go to court at all. That intentional, political decision is the reason why the House is poised to send the Senate the thinnest, least thorough presidential impeachment in our nation's history. By any ordinary legal standard, what House Democrats have assembled appears to be woefully inadequate to prove what they want to allege. So now the Senate Democratic Leader would apparently like our chamber to do House Democrats' homework for them. He wants to volunteer the Senate's time and energy on a fishing expedition to see whether his own ideas could make Chairman Schiff's sloppy work more persuasive than Chairman Schiff himself bothered to make it. This concept is dead wrong. The Senate is meant to act as judge and jury. To hear a trial. Not to re-run the entire fact-finding investigation because angry partisans rushed sloppily through it. The trajectory that the Democratic Leader apparently wants to take us down before he's even heard opening arguments could set a nightmarish precedent for our institution. If the Senate volunteers ourselves to do House Democrats' homework for them, we will only incentivize an endless stream of dubious partisan impeachments in the future. We will invite future Houses to paralyze future Senates with frivolous impeachments at will. This misunderstanding about constitutional roles brings me back to something I raised earlier. The Democratic Leader's letter to me, by way of the press, literally misquoted the Constitution. Senator Schumer wrote that we should exercise, quote, the Senate's sole Power of Impeachment' under the Constitution with integrity and dignity. He attributed to the Senate, quote, the sole Power of Impeachment. Well, there's his problem. That's the role the Constitution gives to the House!Article I, Section 2 says The House of Representatives shall have the sole Power of Impeachment. If my colleague wants to read about our responsibilities here in the Senate, he needs to turn to the next page. Article I, Section 3 says, The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. We don't create impeachments. We judge them. The House chose this road. It is their duty to investigate. It is their duty to meet the very high bar for undoing a national election. As Speaker Pelosi herself once said, it is the House's obligation to, quote, build an ironclad case to act. End quote. If they fail, they fail. It is not the Senate's job to leap into the breach and search desperately for ways to get to guilty.' That would hardly be impartial justice. The fact that my colleague is already desperate to sign up the Senate for new fact-finding which House Democrats themselves were too impatient to see through well, that suggests something to me. It suggests that even Democrats who do not like this president are beginning to realize how dramatically insufficient the House's rushed process has been. Well, I hope the House of Representatives sees that too. If House Democrats' case is this deficient, this thin, the answer is not for the judge and jury to cure it here in the Senate. The answer is that the House should not impeach on this basis in the first place. But if the House plows ahead, if this ends up here in the Senate, we certainly do not need jurors to start brainstorming witness lists for the prosecution and demanding to lock them in before we've even heard opening arguments. I still believe the Senate should try to follow the 1999 model. Two resolutions. First things first. The middle and end of this process will come later. I look forward to meeting with the Democratic Leader very soon and getting our important conversation back on the right foot.'",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=5EBA48D1-AEAF-4428-BC10-CCF900F8E7CF,McConnell Celebrates Bipartisan NDAA & Bicameral Progress on Appropriations,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding legislative priorities: There remains a great deal of outstanding legislation the Senate must complete for the American people before we adjourn for the holidays. I was glad to see yesterday's overwhelming bipartisan vote to advance the conference report to the 59th consecutive National Defense Authorization Act. The Senate voted to move this critical legislation forward, 76 to 6. For months, unprecedented partisan delays threatened a nearly six-decade tradition of expressing Congress' bipartisan commitment to our national defense. But with the Senate's final vote later today, we will finally put this vital legislation on the president's desk. I look forward to voting to pass the NDAA today by another overwhelming bipartisan vote, for our servicemembers and the critical missions they carry out. Of course, the Senate needs to follow up the defense authorization bill with appropriations measures, and fund our national defense and domestic priorities. Ensuring the federal government makes careful use of taxpayer dollars is an uphill battle by definition. So it's critical that we plan in advance and deliver clarity for the full year ahead, rather than careen from one short-term stopgap to another. This point is especially crucial for our armed forces. Underwriting the commitments we make to the security of American interests and our allies are the investments we make in a 21st-century fighting force. And our nation's top military commanders have been crystal clear: this requires stable and predictable annual funding. It's as simple as that. As the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Milley, put it recently, continuing resolutions are, quote, a very ineffective and inefficient use of the taxpayers' dollars. The Secretary of Defense hasn't minced words either. Quote: Every day that a CR continues is one less day that we can invest in future capabilities and future technologies. As a simple matter of good governance, avoiding another stopgap CR is an important step. So I'm encouraged that the House is preparing to advance full-year appropriations bills this week. But obviously what's actually in these bills matters. So I'm glad to say that the efforts of Chairman Shelby, Senator Leahy, their counterparts in the House, and White House negotiators have produced a bipartisan package of full-year funding measures that will make needed investments in our nation's top priorities. First is a top-line increase in funding that our national defense requires. For the third consecutive year, President Trump and Republicans in Congress will deliver on our commitment to continue rebuilding America's military after nearly a decade of forced belt-tightening. As threats to the United States, our allies, and our interests continue to emerge and evolve, this work is more important than ever. America no longer stands unchallenged in the international system. As Russia tests the reach of its meddling influence in Europe and the Middle East as China invests heavily in reshaping the order of the Asia-Pacific region in its image, a new era of great power competition demands our attention and our action. The defense funding measure the House will consider today answers these realities with a significant increase in defense funding. Our commanders will have more resources to modernize force structure, develop cutting-edge weapons capabilities, and ensure that American servicemembers receive the best training, equipment, and support available. Much-needed upgrades to the nuclear force that backs up America's strategic posture investments in hypersonic technologies to keep pace with our biggest adversaries and renewed commitments to servicemembers and their families here at home. But our efforts are about more than equipping the U.S. military to win a fight. This funding bill takes a comprehensive approach to the security of the United States and our allies. It will unlock targeted resources for countering the creeping influence of authoritarian powers so that military engagements become less likely in the first place. I'm particularly proud that, thanks to my own efforts, the legislation modernizes the reporting requirements of the Hong Kong Policy Act I sponsored in 1992 expands our support for democracy in Hong Kong, including legal support to Hong Kong activists and increases the Countering Russian Influence Fund. Of course, our work goes beyond defense and foreign affairs. We're talking about full-year funding for the federal government's domestic work as well. For example big wins for the president's agenda to bring more security to our southern border. This year's funding bills provide another $1.4 billion for the border wall system plus more flexibility on location than last year's funding. And despite the efforts of some House Democrats during this process, presidential authorities to transfer necessary funds remain intact. The bills also fund critical transportation infrastructure grants and inland waterways projects. They provide for our nation's continuing fight against the opioid epidemic and help equip local authorities and first responders combating the scourge of addiction nationwide. And I am very proud that this legislation also contains the Tobacco 21 legislation that I introduced with Senator Kaine this year. By raising the age for purchasing vaping devices and other tobacco products to 21 years old nationwide, we'll take bold direct action to stem the tide of early nicotine addiction among our nation's youth. In another provision that I fought to include in this legislation, we'll secure the pension benefits of nearly 100,000 coal miners and their dependents in Kentucky and across the country. Another key section provides hundreds of millions of dollars more for election security, another step in the work by Congress and this administration to make sure the lapses that took place on the Obama administration's watch in 2016 are not repeated. The list goes on and on. All manner of important priorities will benefit from this bipartisan legislation. And it's not just about what these bills will continue; it's also about what this legislation will end. It will take several more big bites out of the failures of Obamacare by repealing more of its burdensome taxes. Already, Republicans have repealed the board that Obamacare set up to micromanage health care and zeroed out the individual mandate penalty. Now, the legislation the House will pass today will repeal even more of Obamacare's misguided measures, such as the medical device tax and the Cadillac tax. There are two timeless truths about the appropriations process in divided government. First, neither side will ever get what they would consider to be perfect bills. But second, full-year funding definitely beats drifting endlessly from CR to CR. This legislation we expect the House to send us today satisfies important priorities for the White House, for each of my colleagues, and for the American people. I'll look forward to supporting it and hope Senators on both sides of the aisle will do the same.' ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=9FC3362A-52DA-47DA-93F6-5D0C5A81EB86,Majority Leader McConnell Secures McConnell/Comer Legislation to Designate I-69 Spur,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"April 2019 in the U.S. Capitol: Congressman Comer holds the highway designation legislation with State Rep. Gibbons-Prunty and Senate Majority Leader McConnell. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he secured legislation in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement to begin the process of designating a section of the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway in Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties as a spur of Interstate 69 (I-569). The government funding bills were approved today by the House of Representatives and the Senate is expected to approve them in the coming days. Once approved, the government-funding agreement will be sent to President Trump for his signature. In April, Majority Leader McConnell and Congressman James Comer (KY-01) introduced companion legislation for the new designation which will highlight the region's connections with the federal interstate highway system and aid in attracting new industry and economic development to this area. The McConnell/Comer legislation will add this section of roadway to the list of High Priority Corridors, and once the designation is official at the state and federal levels, the roadway will be labeled as I-569. Additionally, this legislation provides an exemption to the federal weight limit on the Edward T. Breathitt Pennyrile Parkway. Western Kentucky is open for business, and I'm proud to advance this effort with Congressman Comer and local leaders to support new economic activity along the Western Kentucky Parkway, said Majority Leader McConnell. With an interstate designation and a federal weight exemption, this corridor can attract new investment and good jobs into local communities. As Senate Majority Leader, I'm constantly drawing national attention to Kentucky's priorities, and together with Congressman Comer, we will continue delivering for families and communities in the Commonwealth. ""The designation of this section of the Western Kentucky Parkway as a spur of Interstate 69 will bolster economic development and job creation in Muhlenberg and Ohio counties,"" Congressman Comer said. ""Western Kentucky's priorities are clearly at the front of the line in Washington, and I was proud to work alongside Senator McConnell, State Representative Melinda Gibbons-Prunty, State Representative Scott Lewis and other local leaders to provide greater opportunities for these communities."" Majority Leader McConnell and Congressman Comer continue to deliver for West Kentucky's infrastructure, and I'm grateful for their leadership to put our priorities at the center of the national agenda, said Scott Lewis, State Representative for Ohio and Daviess Counties. Our families and our communities are well-served by their tireless advocacy in Washington on our behalf. This federal interstate designation can build upon our region's strong economic growth, and we all look forward to the great benefits this legislation will bring to our community. Melinda Gibbons-Prunty, State Representative for Muhlenberg and Hopkins Counties, said, I had the privilege of being in Washington, D.C. with Majority Leader McConnell and Congressman Comer when this project was formally announced. I appreciate Senator McConnells extra efforts to get this across the finish line this year. The goal and hope is to enhance economic development for Muhlenberg County, the 15th District, and the entire region. Once again, Majority Leader McConnell and Congressman Comer have shown they can work across the aisle to get things done for Kentucky, Muhlenberg County-Judge Executive Curtis McGehee said. We're continuing to work together to make Muhlenberg County a premier destination for businesses and good jobs for Kentucky families, and we are well served by our members of Congress drawing national attention to these priorities. As I-569, the Western Kentucky Parkway will be a brand new avenue for opportunity, one that can drive economic growth in our community. Because of the leadership of Senator McConnell and Congressman Comer, Western Kentucky is equipped with the tools to thrive, said Gary Jones, Director of Business Development of the Muhlenberg Alliance for Progress. Adding the Wendell H. Ford Western Kentucky Parkway to the federal interstate system can continue advancing economic growth in our region, benefiting our families and communities. We're grateful to both Majority Leader McConnell and Congressman Comer for helping pave the way to Western Kentucky's bright future.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=C8884D5D-9772-4D19-8061-4737E9115913,"McConnell, Rogers Secure Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area Study Act in Final Federal Funding Package for 2020",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC -- Kentucky is one step closer to receiving its first National Heritage Area designation, thanks to joint efforts by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. As federal funding for Fiscal Year 2020 is finalized this week on Capitol Hill, Kentucky's leading legislators ensured the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area Study Act was included in a final comprehensive package.The act directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete a study to determine whether Kentucky's Appalachian region meets the requirements to become the state's first National Heritage Area. ""The rich history and scenic beauty of Kentucky's Appalachian region deserve to be preserved for visitors, families and communities to enjoy, and our bill to tap into this great heritage will help do just that. Promoting the unique culture of the Commonwealth's wilderness as our first National Heritage Area can encourage new tourism and economic activity in Southern and Eastern Kentucky,""said Senator McConnell. ""I'd like to thank Congressman Rogers for partnering with me to deliver for this region and the men and women who call it home. As Senate Majority Leader, I was proud to ensure this Kentucky initiative will soon be on its way to President Trump's desk to become law."" ""Volunteers across Southern and Eastern Kentucky have worked tirelessly to preserve and cleanup the region, and this study brings us one step closer to highlighting their work across our incredible landscape for more visitors to enjoy,"" said Congressman Rogers. ""Senator McConnell and I have worked hard to protect important programs and intiatives for our beloved state, like this Kentucky Wildlands tourism initiative."" The study is a direct result of Eastern Kentucky PRIDE's recent grant award from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to brand the region as the Kentucky Wildlands.As a National Heritage Area, the region would receive technical assistance and federal funding through a partnership with the National Park Service. The House approved the final federal funding packages on Tuesday afternoon. The bills now move on to the Senate for consideration before the federal funding deadline expires on Friday night.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=F2DB01B6-522D-4A0E-893F-A47DFCDD0AAE,McConnell Bolsters Fight Against Asian Carp in West Kentucky,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he secured a record $25 million that will help fight the Asian Carp infestation in Western Kentucky and throughout the region which includes $2.5 million for contract fishingin the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement. Before the end of the year, both the House of Representatives and Senate are expected to approve the government funding bills, sending them to President Trump for his signature. Invasive Asian Carp are a grave threat to West Kentucky's pristine waters which impacts the region's anglers, boaters, and local businesses. As Senate Majority Leader, and a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell has increased funding and prioritized Kentucky's response by bringing together local leaders and Trump administration officials. Together, they're deploying every viable tool to stop the spread of these dangerous fish. With increased federal resources, we're fortifying our treasured West Kentucky waters against invasive Asian Carp, said Majority Leader McConnell. Along with local leaders, especially Judge Wade White, I'm using my leadership role to raise the alarm to the highest levels of the federal government. As a result, we're continuing to deliver national attention and critical support to combat this urgent threat. For boaters, anglers, and the businesses and communities who rely upon them, we need to address the Carp problem now, and I'm proud President Trump has joined our effort to protect Kentucky's heritage and economy. ""Senator McConnell has once again provided the results we desperately needed, said Judge Wade White, Lyon County Judge Executive. These critical resources will help repel the invasion of these deadly fish in our Western Kentucky Lakes and will allow the affected southern states, to work together in a cohesive unit to fight the War on Carp and we have the Majority Leader, Senator McConnell, to thank for it. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the McConnell-secured federal funding will help remove Asian Carp from reservoirs like Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. Earlier this year, USFWS agreed to Senator McConnell's request to deploy the advanced Unified Method of Fishing, which will use electronic technology to corral Asian Carp before extracting them from the water with specialized nets. This technique has been successful in controlling Asian Carp populations abroad, and the USGS has successfully deployed it in Missouri and Illinois. In May, Senator McConnell visited West Kentucky with members of the Trump Administration, where they discussed options, such as the Unified Method, to address the Asian Carp invasion with local officials, community leaders and the local media. Unified Method Photo via USGS Last month at Lake Barkley, Senator McConnell was joined by Congressman James Comer (KY-01) to push the button deploying the bio-acoustic fish fence (BAFF) at Barkley Lock to keep Asian Carp from moving up the Cumberland River. The experiment marked the first time the BAFF has been tested at a lock and dam on a large river. Senator McConnell and Congressman Comer ceremonially inaugurated the BAFF system.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comer.house.gov/2019/12/congressman-comer-announces-winner-congressional-app-challenge,CONGRESSMAN COMER ANNOUNCES WINNER OF CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman James Comer (KY-01) has announced that Gideon Richards, an 11th grader at the Central Kentucky Career Academy in Campbellsville, is the 2019 winner of the 1st District Congressional App Challenge. Richards, a native of Columbia, developed the winning app titled “Inspiration” as part of a school project, led by his teacher Mrs. Sonya Kessler. The app inspires people to achieve their goals in life, whether big or small, by displaying inspirational quotes. “I want to congratulate Gideon on this extraordinary accomplishment, which put his critical thinking, creativity, and intelligence on full display,” Congressman Comer said. “Gideon is one of the best and brightest of the 1st Congressional District, and I hope his interest in technology and student involvement is an example for all of his peers.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=387175,House Funds Guthrie Opioid Legislation,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Brett Guthrie,G000558,guthrie.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today the House of Representatives passed two Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations packages. This legislation included funding for Congressman Brett Guthrie's (KY-02) Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act. Last year, I was proud to introduce the Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act, a bill that will help Kentuckians access a full range of treatments for opioid-use disorders, said Guthrie. Most treatment facilities only offer one type of treatment, but treatment for opioid use disorder is not one-size-fits all. A 12-step program or medication may work for one person, but not for everyone. Today's legislation allocates $2 million in funding for new comprehensive centers that will offer all FDA-approved treatments, counseling, wrap around services and evidence based treatments for those suffering from opioid use disorder. I want to especially thank Leader McConnell for his help securing this funding language in the final bill. In addition, the Fiscal Year 2020 Defense appropriations bill funds the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which Congressman Guthrie supported last week. Our brave men and women in our Armed Forces put their lives on the line for us every day, said Guthrie. I was proud to vote for the defense appropriations bill that will fully fund a well-deserved pay raise for our troops and will ensure that our country is safe from threats both home and abroad. The Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations packages: Prioritize national security and provide new funding for the border wall; Give the troops a 3.1% pay increase; Provide funding for apprenticeship programs and workforce grants; Fund Congressman Guthrie's EMPOWER Care Act until May 22, 2020; Fund rural broadband initiatives; And protect miner pensions and health benefits. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=14407C37-77CD-416F-8056-F48F2A5580B8,Congressman Rogers Announces Kentucky Wins in Federal Funding Bills for Fiscal Year 2020,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Includes protections for miners' pensions, provides more funding for economic development in coal country, continues the fight against opioid abuse, protects the sanctity of life, boosts military service members' & veterans' benefits and addresses border security WASHINGTON, DC -- As a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) successfully advocated for vital programs that impact Southern and Eastern Kentuckians to be included in the final two federal funding packages for Fiscal Year 2020. Together, the bills include vital protections for miners' pensions, provides another round of funding for economic development on abandoned mine lands in Kentucky, and supports continued efforts to combat drug abuse nationwide. Congressman Rogers spoke on the House Floor in support of both funding packages for FY2020. ""The first package before us today reflects our commitment to our nation’s security and our military leadership across the world. The Department of Defense receives additional resources to support our warfighters with the best available technology. We also provide these brave men and women with a hard-earned and well-deserved pay raise. Within the committee, I have been particularly focused on keeping the DOD’s electronic health record on track, and this bill takes bold steps in the right direction to ensure our service members continue to receive the best possible care when they transition out of active duty into the VA,"" said Congressman Rogers. ""Second, President Trump is rightly focused on addressing the crisis at our southern border, and this legislation will support his efforts to end the seemingly unending flow of drugs that find their way into nearly every American community, as well as the violence of the brutal cartels who profit from this trade."" The legislation also aims to rebuild our military, boosts benefits for military service members and veterans, and funds the border wall and security needs at our southern border. ""I am exceedingly proud that two bills I cosponsored to protect our retired miners are included. It ensures that these hard-working individuals receive the health care and pensions they’ve earned, and I hope the 100,000 families impacted by this provision will have peace of mind heading into the holiday season,"" said Congressman Rogers, in his second speech on the House Floor. ""This bill also provides $115 million for the AML Pilot Program, which has been monumentally successful in creating new economic development opportunities in Appalachia. This funding is a strong compliment to the Appalachian Regional Commission, which is robustly funded at $175 million in this package."" The funding packages also maintain all pro-life protections, support the Second Amendment, and repeal the most damaging Obamacare taxes. The House approved both federal funding packages on Tuesday. The bills now move on to the Senate for consideration before the federal funding deadline expires on Friday night. Click here to see a full list of appropriations highlights for Southern and Eastern Kentucky. Click here to watch Congressman Rogers' House Floor speech in support of H.R. 1158.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=420F95EC-FC1B-40F8-A27B-64491E61F884,Congressman Rogers Touts Funding for Jobs & Economic Development in E.Ky.,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Federal Bills Protect Construction Funding for Letcher County Prison & Job Creation in the Coalfields WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed two comprehensive federal funding packages on Thursday to finalize government funding bills for Fiscal Year 2020. Congressman Hal Rogers, who is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, secured millions in critical funding for economic development in Kentucky's Appalachian region, where coal-producing counties continue to rebuild after suffering the loss of more than 12,000 coal mining jobs during the Obama Administration's War on Coal. Congressman Rogers championed a new Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Pilot Grant Program in 2016 to fast-track competitive funding opportunities for economic development in coal-producing counties. This legislation continues the grant program, investing another $25 million in Kentucky alone. ""This bill provides $115 million for the AML Pilot Program, which has been monumentally successful in creating new economic development opportunities in Appalachia. This funding is a strong compliment to the Appalachian Regional Commission, which is robustly funded at $175 million in this package. Within the Department of Agriculture, there is strong emphasis on rural infrastructure, including broadband deployment,"" said Congressman Rogers. ""The bill also allocates $30 million within the Economic Development Administration for assistance to coal mining communities that continue to struggle with the downturn in that industry."" The Appalachian Development Highway System will also receive $100 million for transportation improvements in the nation's Appalachian mountain region. Additionally, the legislation protects construction funding for a new prison in Letcher County, rejecting a proposed rescission for the project. The prison is expected to create more than 300 new full-time jobs. The bills passed the House on Tuesday afternoon and now head to the U.S. Senate for consideration.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=5C713F16-70A1-49AE-8C2B-ADE68F0E70C5,Rogers: Federal Funding Packages Target National Drug Abuse Crisis,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC -- Combatting the nation's deadly opioid crisis remains a top priority for Congressman Hal Rogers, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, who secured additional funding for law enforcement, treatment, recovery and education in the final federal funding packages for Fiscal Year 2020. The House approved two bipartisan comprehensive bills on Thursday, including vital funding for programs that support drug courts, prescription drug monitoring, rural opioid response and life-saving research efforts. The legislation includes the Substance Use Disorder Loan Forgiveness program, championed by Congressman Rogers, to help increase the number of qualified treatment professionals in rural, underserved communities. Congressman Rogers spoke on the House Floor urging swift passage of the legislation. ""This package continues our momentum in the fight against opioid abuse and addiction with targeted resources for the Department of Justice and other federal agencies. The diverse programs funded in this bill reflect the holistic strategy that Congress has embraced: enforcement, treatment, education and prevention – all working in concert,"" said Congressman Rogers. ""Drug courts, veterans treatment courts and prescription drug monitoring programs receive robust support in this first package – as well as anti-heroin and anti-meth task forces that bring law enforcement agents from multiple jurisdictions together to end this scourge."" Resources to Combat Opioid Abuse and Addiction Together we’ve made progress combatting drug abuse in Southern and Eastern Kentucky and across the Commonwealth, but more must be done to curb overdose rates and put people on the path to recovery. This bill provides comprehensive support for local, state, regional and federal efforts to combat the opioid crisis, including: Drug Enforcement and Criminal Justice Activities The bill includes significant increases in law enforcement, prosecution agencies and grant resources for state and local criminal justice entities. $2.7 billion is included for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), $443 million of which is specifically allocated to combat the diversion of prescription drugs. $35 million is provided for Anti-Heroin Task Forces, and $13 million is continued for Anti-Meth Task Forces. $550 million is provided for Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement, and the bill provides $285 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program to assist federal, state, and local authorities clean up trafficking hot-spots, which will enable the Appalachian HIDTA to continue its work in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. The bill also includes $220 million for the National Guard Counter-Drug program, an increase of $65 million. The Kentucky National Guard Counter-Drug program is among the best in the nation, and has eradicated millions of dollars of illegal drugs. Byrne Justice Assistance Grants are funded at $547 million, which will support all components of the criminal justice system, including drug and gang task forces to domestic violence programs, treatment, and justice information sharing. Overall, it will help keep Kentucky safe. For Drug Courts, the bill includes $150 million for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help non-violent offenders struggling with addiction. An additional $23 million is included for Veterans Treatment Courts to help our men and women in uniform who are struggling with addiction. Treatment, Prevention, Recovery and Research The bill provides $5.7 billion for substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery, as well as research into alternative therapies for pain management. Most notably, over $5.8 billion is provided for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a large percentage of which will be deployed to states for on-the-ground treatment and recovery services. The bill also provides $12 million for the Substance Use Disorder Loan Forgiveness program, championed by Congressman Rogers, to help increase the number of qualified treatment professionals in rural, underserved communities. The bill also appropriates more than $475 million for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to continue its Opioid Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention program, and $110 million for Rural Communities Opioid Response. The legislation provides $31 million to implement and enhance Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), which help doctors make good prescribing decisions and investigators root out bad actors. Over $101 million is approved for the Drug Free Communities Program, which provides funding to community-based groups seeking to prevent youth substance abuse. To support those in their journey to overcome addiction, $8 million is provided specifically for Building Communities of Recovery, $4 million is provided for Treatment, Recovery and Workforce Support to help people live independently and participate in the workforce, and $2 million is provided for Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers. The National Institute for Health (NIH) is slated to receive a $41.5 billion to conduct life-saving research, at least $250 million of which is focused on efforts to combat opioid addiction. The House approved both federal funding packages on Tuesday. The bills now move on to the Senate for consideration.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=B297B64D-9ABC-4CBE-B35E-01F4B84D8CDA,"Rogers, McConnell Secure Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area Study Act in Final Federal Funding Package for 2020",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC -- Kentucky is one step closer to receiving its first National Heritage Area designation, thanks to joint efforts by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. As federal funding for Fiscal Year 2020 is finalized this week on Capitol Hill, Kentucky's leading legislators ensured the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area Study Act was included in a final comprehensive package. The act directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete a study to determine whether Kentucky's Appalachian region meets the requirements to become the state's first National Heritage Area. ""Volunteers across Southern and Eastern Kentucky have worked tirelessly to preserve and cleanup the region, and this study brings us one step closer to highlighting their work across our incredible landscape for more visitors to enjoy,"" said Congressman Rogers. ""Senator McConnell and I have worked hard to protect important programs and intiatives for our beloved state, like this Kentucky Wildlands tourism initiative."" ""The rich history and scenic beauty of Kentucky’s Appalachian region deserve to be preserved for visitors, families and communities to enjoy, and our bill to tap into this great heritage will help do just that. Promoting the unique culture of the Commonwealth’s wilderness as our first National Heritage Area can encourage new tourism and economic activity in Southern and Eastern Kentucky,"" said Senator McConnell. ""I’d like to thank Congressman Rogers for partnering with me to deliver for this region and the men and women who call it home. As Senate Majority Leader, I was proud to ensure this Kentucky initiative will soon be on its way to President Trump’s desk to become law."" The study is a direct result of Eastern Kentucky PRIDE's recent grant award from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to brand the region as the Kentucky Wildlands. As a National Heritage Area, the region would receive technical assistance and federal funding through a partnership with the National Park Service. The House approved the final federal funding packages on Tuesday afternoon. The bills now move on to the Senate for consideration before the federal funding deadline expires on Friday night.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=F187C2B1-34D2-433F-B8FA-38571B07F6F3,Congressman Rogers Announces Major Wins for Coal Miners in Federal Funding Bills for Fiscal Year 2020,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Miners' health care benefits and pensions secured in final funding bills WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (KY-05), a senior of the House Appropriations Committee, successfully secured health care benefits and pensions for America’s retired miners in the final two federal funding packages for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. Without congressional action, many retired coal miners and employees of recently-bankrupted coal companies would have faced great uncertainty. The UMWA 1974 Pension Plan was nearing default, putting more than 100,000 retired coal miners’ pensions at risk. Further, many current coal miners’ health care benefits were in question due to recent coal company bankruptcies. Because of these two pressing issues, Congressman Rogers was proud to cosponsor legislation that would ensure the long-term viability of the UMWA 1974 Pension Plan, and also ensure that miners from recently-bankrupted companies would receive health care benefits. Congressman Rogers also personally urged House Leadership to include these bills in FY20 appropriations bills. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell authored companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. Congressman Rogers spoke on the House Floor in support of the inclusion of these efforts in the funding packages for FY2020. ""I am exceedingly proud that two bills I cosponsored to protect our retired miners are included. It ensures that these hard-working individuals receive the health care and pensions they’ve earned, and I hope the 100,000 families impacted by this provision will have peace of mind heading into the Christmas season,"" said Congressman Rogers, on the House Floor. The House approved both federal funding packages on Tuesday. The bills now move on to the Senate for consideration before the federal funding deadline expires on Friday night.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=FAD7177B-47AF-447E-937F-60E300359DB5,"Rogers: FY20 Funding Bills Promote National Defense, Enhance Border Security & Serve Our Veterans",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Includes largest investment in VA history & launches new transportation program for veterans in rural areas WASHINGTON, DC – As a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) supported two funding packages on Tuesday that fund government operations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. The bills place a strong emphasis on national defense and military readiness, border security and the well-being of our nation’s veterans. The FY20 Defense appropriations bill continues to rebuild our military, and is fully consistent with President Trump’s National Defense Strategy and Nuclear Posture Review. It provides $693.3 billion for the Department of Defense (DOD), $19 billion more than FY19. This includes $70.7 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations, ensuring that the men and women in uniform overseas have the tools they need to be successful. The bill also includes a 3.1% pay raise for our troops—the largest pay raise in a decade—and supports key readiness programs that will prepare our troops for combat and peacetime missions, including flight time and battle training, equipment and facility maintenance, and base operations. “The Department of Defense receives additional resources to support our warfighters with the best available technology. We also provide these brave men and women with a hard-earned and well-deserved pay raise,” said Congressman Rogers, speaking in support of the legislation on the House floor. “Within the committee, I have been particularly focused on keeping the DOD’s electronic health record on track, and this bill takes bold steps in the right direction to ensure our service members continue to receive the best possible care when they transition out of active duty into the VA.” The Defense bill funds the U.S. Space Force, a majority priority for the Trump Administration, which is a sixth military branch established to ensure U.S. interests are protected around the world and in space. Additionally, $34 billion allocated for the Defense Health Program, which provides comprehensive care for our active duty troops, their families, and retirees. It also funds critical research for many health issues which affect our service members, including several forms of cancer, traumatic brain injuries, and psychological health. In addition to its focus on our military, the bill also prioritizes domestic security through border security and immigration enforcement. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is receiving $14.92 billion – which will allow the agency to hire an additional 300 Border Patrol processing staff, procure advanced border technology, and stop the illegal flow of drugs and human trafficking across our borders. The bill provides $1.375 billion for construction of new border wall, and contains no restrictions on the President’s authority to enforce our immigration laws. “President Trump is rightly focused on addressing the crisis at our southern border, and this legislation will support his efforts to end the seemingly unending flow of drugs that find their way into nearly every American community, as well as the violence of the brutal cartels who profit from this trade. Nearly $1.4 billion is included for a border wall, along with additional resources for DHS to hire more personnel and deploy advanced technology in this region,” Congressman Rogers said in his floor statement. “We were also able to eliminate dangerous riders that would have limited the President’s ability to enforce our immigration laws while still ensuring a strong humanitarian response that reflects our values as Americans.” Kentucky’s veterans will also receive additional resources as a result of this package. The bill provides $91.9 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the largest dollar amount in its history. It funds VA medical care at $80 billion, providing care for more than 7 million veteran and dependent patients. $1.5 billion is included for the new VA electronic health record, ensuring our veterans receive proper care, with timely and accurate medical data secured in identical DOD and VA systems. The bill seeks to further reduce the disability claims backlog to ensure adequate compensation and care for the almost 65,000 veterans still awaiting final decisions on their claims. It also provides $5 million for a new pilot grant program to help rural veterans get to their VA appointments. “I advocated for a new pilot program to provide transportation assistance for our nation’s many rural veterans—like those in eastern Kentucky—and I am grateful for the seed funding to get that off the ground,” continued Congressman Rogers. The bills passed the House this afternoon and now head to the U.S. Senate for consideration.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=196AAAE2-5A79-442B-93A7-7730D1D98363,Majority Leader McConnell Secures Miners Fix to Protect Coal Families Pension Benefits,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he successfully secured in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement the bipartisan legislation he introduced with Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), to protect pension benefits for Kentucky miners and their families the Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019. Before the end of the year, both the House of Representatives and Senate are expected to approve the government-funding bills, sending it to President Trump for his signature. I was proud to mobilize the federal government into action to safeguard coal miners' pension and health care benefits from a looming threat. As Senate Majority Leader, I personally told President Trump and my Congressional colleagues that this was a top priority for me and for thousands of Kentuckians in need, and I was determined to deliver a positive result, said Majority Leader McConnell. To help these Kentucky miners and their families, Senators Capito, Manchin, and I proudly joined to introduce the Bipartisan American Miners Act, and at my request our legislation has been included in the government funding bill that will pass Congress and head to President Trump's desk to become law. I'm proud to continue to be a strong voice for coal miners, retirees, and their families, and I look forward to voting to save their benefits. The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) President Cecil E. Roberts, thanked Senator McConnell for his leadership, saying, Once this legislation is passed and signed by the President, Congress will have saved the lives of thousands throughout America. And while words cannot truly express what retired miners and their families are feeling this day, I can say this: Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's support was crucial to securing this legislation, and on behalf of America's retired coal miners I thank him for his efforts to ensure this became a reality. We will never forget it. The Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019 will secure funding for the 1974 miner Pension Plan to prevent its insolvency. The bipartisan bill also expands the existing health care benefits provided under Senator McConnell's HELP for Coal Miners Health Care Act of 2017 to the orphaned coal miners whose benefits have been put in jeopardy due to recent coal company bankruptcies. These actions will secure the pensions of 92,000 coal miners and protect health care benefits for 13,000 miners. Throughout my entire Senate career, I've fought to advance policies that support miners and their families and protect them from anti-coal policies. The lasting devastation from President Obama's War on Coal has contributed to a number of recent coal company bankruptcies, throwing many Kentucky coal communities into crisis, and they needed our help, added Majority Leader McConnell. As Senate Majority Leader, I was proud to use my position to deliver for these Kentucky miners and their families. In 2017, Senator McConnell mobilized Congress to permanently secure health care benefits for thousands of retired miners. Had Congress not acted, approximately 3,000 Kentucky coal miner retirees and tens of thousands more around the country would have lost their health care benefits. The bill also included additional assistance for troubled coal-mining communities and dislocated coal workers. As senior appropriators, Senator McConnell and Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) have secured hundreds of millions of dollars for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Economic Development Pilot Program (AML Pilot). ARC funding supports economic growth in Eastern Kentucky by helping create jobs, combat the spiking substance abuse epidemic, and provide employment training for former coal miners, among a number of other worthy initiatives. In 2015, Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers established the AML Pilot, which promotes economic and community development on abandoned mine lands. Since then, they have helped secure more than $100 million for Kentucky through this program. Senator McConnell also helped secure $99 million through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to provide career and training services to dislocated workers in rural areas, including dislocated coal workers in Kentucky who lost their jobs. This includes $3.7 million to help support the recently impacted Harlan County, Kentucky coal miners and their families with employment and training services.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=2E92ED85-CB70-4068-8EDE-52F3EB2775E5,Senator McConnell Delivers Remaining Funding for Robley Rex VA Medical Center in Louisville,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he successfully secured the remaining $410 million needed for construction of the new Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Louisville, Kentucky, in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement. Before the end of the year, both the House of Representatives and Senate are expected to approve the government funding bills, sending it to President Trump for his signature. The project received a boost earlier this year, when President Trump at Senator McConnell's request -- included full funding for construction of the new VAMC facility in his Fiscal Year 2020 budget request. President Trump personally contacted Senator McConnell to inform him of this critical step forward for the project. With this funding legislation, Senator McConnell is fulfilling our country's promise to Kentucky veterans for a new, modern health-care facility. Since 2008, he has used his leadership position as well as his seniority on the Senate Appropriations Committee to prioritize the project. In addition to today's announcement, Senator McConnell previously secured a total of $450 million for the new facility, including the project's first appropriation of $75 million in a 2008 government-funding bill. Since I secured the initial federal funding for the construction of a new veterans medical center in Louisville, I've remained determined to fulfill our sacred obligation to our nation's heroes, said Senator McConnell. Working closely with Kentucky's veterans, the VA and multiple presidents, we continued moving toward today's outstanding news. Because of President Trump's strong commitment to our veterans, he answered my request and helped me finally deliver the remaining federal resources to complete this facility. Although no single government program can ever fully repay the enormous debt we owe our veterans, I look forward to the vital care the new VAMC will provide to those who sacrificed to keep our nation safe. It takes a visionary leader like Senator Mitch McConnell to deliver for Kentucky's veterans, said Carl Kaelin, a Vietnam Veteran from Leitchfield, Kentucky and former National Chief of Staff of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). For more than a decade, Senator McConnell has led the charge to keep the promise to build a new, modern veterans medical center in Louisville. Now, joined by President Trump, he's championed the passage of the federal funding bill to complete that mission. Having one of the top congressional leaders from our Commonwealth means that Kentucky's priorities are at the center of the national agenda, and we will enjoy the results for years to come. Earlier this year, Senator McConnell met with Stephen Black, the new director of the Louisville VAMC, to discuss the status of this project and to reiterate his long-standing work to ensure the new Louisville facility will provide the space, equipment and resources needed to fully serve the specific needs of women veterans. Women veterans have a great champion in Senator McConnell, who answered our call for help to ensure the VA system is meeting the needs of women veterans across the country, said Martha J. Lain, U.S. Army veteran and past Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the Department of Kentucky. I appreciate his consistent advocacy to prioritize our cause with the VA, and I'm grateful for his leadership to deliver a new medical center in Louisville that will finally provide women veterans with access to high-quality, specialized care in a modern facility. Last year, Senator McConnell contacted U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie to ensure his support for the inclusion of the Louisville VAMC project in the President's FY 2020 budget request. In February, Senator McConnell also contacted Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director and Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney to finalize the Louisville VAMC funding request. In 2009, legislation introduced by Senator McConnell to name the current and future VAMC after Kentucky hero Robley Rex was enacted into law. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=66857652-D2C2-4489-BA9D-D1C4962498B7,Majority Leader McConnell Secures Tobacco-Free Youth Act in Fiscal Year 2020 Agreement; McConnell/Kaine Measure Raises Tobacco Purchase Age to 21,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he successfully secured the Tobacco-Free Youth Act in the Fiscal Year 2020 government agreement. The legislation, which he introduced earlier this year with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), would raise the nationwide minimum age to buy all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, from 18 to 21 and help protect young people from the dangers of nicotine. Before the end of the year, both the House of Representatives and Senate are expected to approve the government-funding bills, sending them to President Trump for his signature. As senators from two states with a long history of tobacco production and consumption, Senators McConnell and Kaine have seen the negative effects of youth tobacco use and have heard compelling public health stories from concerned constituents throughout their states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2019, over 6 million U.S. middle and high school students were current users of tobacco products with 1 in 3 high school students and 1 in 8 middle school students reporting using some type of tobacco product in the past 30 days. In response, the two Senators introduced the Tobacco-Free Youth Act to help stem the tide of these alarming trends by making it unlawful for retailers to sell tobacco products to anyone younger than 21. A report from the Institute of Medicine found that most adult smokers start smoking before age 21 and that increasing the tobacco age to 21 could save lives, improve public health, and reduce tobacco initiation among youth. Young tobacco users may not know what chemicals they are putting into their bodies, let alone the long-term health risks that could negatively impact them as adults. Since I introduced my legislation earlier this year to raise the minimum nationwide purchase age for tobacco products from 18 to 21, stories of vaping related illnesses and deaths -- especially among young people -- have stunned Kentucky and the nation, said Senator McConnell. I'm grateful to the communities, the health advocates and my fellow elected officials, including President Trump and Senators Todd Young and Mitt Romney, who have joined Senator Kaine and me to address this urgent crisis and keep these dangerous products away from our children. It is because of my position as a tobacco state Senator that I introduced this bill, and it is because of my role as Senate Majority Leader that it will become law. Together, we can help Kentucky's young people grow up healthy and with every opportunity to reach their full potential. I'm thrilled that our bill to raise the tobacco age from 18 to 21 will get a vote in the House and Senate this week. This legislation will have an enormous positive impact on public health in America, and it's needed now more than ever as we grapple with the youth e-cigarette epidemic. It's estimated that raising the tobacco age to 21 would reduce the number of premature deaths by 223,000 and significantly reduce lung cancer deaths and other health problems. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their work on this critical effort including Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, and Senators Murray, Alexander, Schatz, Young, Durbin, and Romney. I hope we can get this lifesaving bill across the finish line without delay, said Senator Kaine.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=DCDE01D9-75D0-45FD-AEB9-B8DCE55274BD,Senator McConnell Secures Tobacco-Free Youth Act in Fiscal Year 2020 Agreement; McConnell/Kaine Measure Raises Tobacco Purchase Age to 21,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he successfully secured the Tobacco-Free Youth Act in the Fiscal Year 2020 government agreement. The legislation, which he introduced earlier this year with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), would raise the nationwide minimum age to buy all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, from 18 to 21 and help protect young people from the dangers of nicotine. Before the end of the year, both the House of Representatives and Senate are expected to approve the government-funding bills, sending them to President Trump for his signature. As senators from two states with a long history of tobacco production and consumption, Senators McConnell and Kaine have seen the negative effects of youth tobacco use and have heard compelling public health stories from concerned constituents throughout their states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2019, over 6 million U.S. middle and high school students were current users of tobacco products with 1 in 3 high school students and 1 in 8 middle school students reporting using some type of tobacco product in the past 30 days. In response, the two Senators introduced the Tobacco-Free Youth Act to help stem the tide of these alarming trends by making it unlawful for retailers to sell tobacco products to anyone younger than 21. A report from the Institute of Medicine found that most adult smokers start smoking before age 21 and that increasing the tobacco age to 21 could save lives, improve public health, and reduce tobacco initiation among youth. Young tobacco users may not know what chemicals they are putting into their bodies, let alone the long-term health risks that could negatively impact them as adults. Since I introduced my legislation earlier this year to raise the minimum nationwide purchase age for tobacco products from 18 to 21, stories of vaping related illnesses and deaths -- especially among young people -- have stunned Kentucky and the nation, said Senator McConnell. I'm grateful to the communities, the health advocates and my fellow elected officials, including President Trump and Senators Todd Young and Mitt Romney, who have joined Senator Kaine and me to address this urgent crisis and keep these dangerous products away from our children. It is because of my position as a tobacco state Senator that I introduced this bill, and it is because of my role as Senate Majority Leader that it will become law. Together, we can help Kentucky's young people grow up healthy and with every opportunity to reach their full potential. The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is proud to have the leadership of Senator McConnell in protecting our children's health and future, and I was proud to work with him to raise the legal age for sales of all tobacco products from 18 to 21, said Ben Chandler, President/CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. Across our Commonwealth, we've seen an unprecedented spike in youth vaping and tobacco use, which can too often lead to a lifetime of nicotine dependence and serious health consequences. By helping keep these products away from middle and high school students, we're making progress to support the health of our kids. I'm glad Senator McConnell, as Majority Leader, could build support for this vital legislation, and because of his efforts, I look forward to it becoming law soon. I'm thrilled that our bill to raise the tobacco age from 18 to 21 will get a vote in the House and Senate this week. This legislation will have an enormous positive impact on public health in America, and it's needed now more than ever as we grapple with the youth e-cigarette epidemic. It's estimated that raising the tobacco age to 21 would reduce the number of premature deaths by 223,000 and significantly reduce lung cancer deaths and other health problems, said Senator Kaine. Regretfully, Kentucky has some of the highest cancer rates in the country. The Commonwealth unfortunately leads the nation with 34% of cancer cases tied directly to smoking. When teens vape, they could be taking the first steps toward serious health problems throughout their lives. Alarmingly 45% of Kentucky high school students report having tried vaping. About 95% of adult smokers began using tobacco products before they turned 21. Studies have shown that the brain is still developing throughout teenage years, and nicotine use on a young brain can stunt growth and make it harder to focus, learn, or control impulses. Nicotine use also can increase the risk of addiction to other drugs. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.republicanleader.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/majority-leader-mcconnell-secures-miners-fix-to-protect-coal-families-pension-benefits,Majority Leader McConnell Secures Miners Fix to Protect Coal Families Pension Benefits,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.republicanleader.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.19 Majority Leader McConnell Secures Miners Fix to Protect Coal Families' Pension Benefits Utilizing his role as Senate Majority Leader, Senator McConnell joined his colleagues in introducing a bipartisan bill to protect miners' pensions. He personally raised the need to address this urgent crisis with President Trump, and he successfully secured the provision in the end of the year funding bills. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he successfully secured in the Fiscal Year 2020 government-funding agreement the bipartisan legislation he introduced with Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), to protect pension benefits for Kentucky miners and their families the Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019. Before the end of the year, both the House of Representatives and Senate are expected to approve the government-funding bills, sending it to President Trump for his signature. I was proud to mobilize the federal government into action to safeguard coal miners' pension and health care benefits from a looming threat. As Senate Majority Leader, I personally told President Trump and my Congressional colleagues that this was a top priority for me and for thousands of Kentuckians in need, and I was determined to deliver a positive result, said Majority Leader McConnell. To help these Kentucky miners and their families, Senators Capito, Manchin, and I proudly joined to introduce the Bipartisan American Miners Act, and at my request our legislation has been included in the government funding bill that will pass Congress and head to President Trump's desk to become law. I'm proud to continue to be a strong voice for coal miners, retirees, and their families, and I look forward to voting to save their benefits. The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) President Cecil E. Roberts, thanked Senator McConnell for his leadership, saying, Once this legislation is passed and signed by the President, Congress will have saved the lives of thousands throughout America. And while words cannot truly express what retired miners and their families are feeling this day, I can say this: Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's support was crucial to securing this legislation, and on behalf of America's retired coal miners I thank him for his efforts to ensure this became a reality. We will never forget it. The Bipartisan American Miners Act of 2019 will secure funding for the 1974 miner Pension Plan to prevent its insolvency. The bipartisan bill also expands the existing health care benefits provided under Senator McConnell's HELP for Coal Miners Health Care Act of 2017 to the orphaned coal miners whose benefits have been put in jeopardy due to recent coal company bankruptcies. These actions will secure the pensions of 92,000 coal miners and protect health care benefits for 13,000 miners. Throughout my entire Senate career, I've fought to advance policies that support miners and their families and protect them from anti-coal policies. The lasting devastation from President Obama's War on Coal has contributed to a number of recent coal company bankruptcies, throwing many Kentucky coal communities into crisis, and they needed our help, added Majority Leader McConnell. As Senate Majority Leader, I was proud to use my position to deliver for these Kentucky miners and their families. In 2017, Senator McConnell mobilized Congress to permanently secure health care benefits for thousands of retired miners. Had Congress not acted, approximately 3,000 Kentucky coal miner retirees and tens of thousands more around the country would have lost their health care benefits. The bill also included additional assistance for troubled coal-mining communities and dislocated coal workers. As senior appropriators, Senator McConnell and Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) have secured hundreds of millions of dollars for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Economic Development Pilot Program (AML Pilot). ARC funding supports economic growth in Eastern Kentucky by helping create jobs, combat the spiking substance abuse epidemic, and provide employment training for former coal miners, among a number of other worthy initiatives. In 2015, Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers established the AML Pilot, which promotes economic and community development on abandoned mine lands. Since then, they have helped secure more than $100 million for Kentucky through this program. Senator McConnell also helped secure $99 million through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to provide career and training services to dislocated workers in rural areas, including dislocated coal workers in Kentucky who lost their jobs. This includes $3.7 million to help support the recently impacted Harlan County, Kentucky coal miners and their families with employment and training services. Related Issues: Coal Print Email Tweet Next Previous",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.republicanleader.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/mcconnell-secures-tobacco-free-youth-act-in-fiscal-year-2020-agreement-mcconnell/kaine-measure-raises-tobacco-purchase-age-to-21-,McConnell Secures Tobacco-Free Youth Act in Fiscal Year 2020 Agreement; McConnell/Kaine Measure Raises Tobacco Purchase Age to 21,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.republicanleader.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.19 McConnell Secures Tobacco-Free Youth Act in Fiscal Year 2020 Agreement; McConnell/Kaine Measure Raises Tobacco Purchase Age to 21 Senator McConnell joined Senator Kaine in introducing a bipartisan bill to raise tobacco purchase age to 21. Utilizing his role as Senate Majority Leader, Senator McConnell successfully secured the provision in the end of the year funding bills. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he successfully secured the Tobacco-Free Youth Act in the Fiscal Year 2020 government agreement. The legislation, which he introduced earlier this year with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), would raise the nationwide minimum age to buy all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices, from 18 to 21 and help protect young people from the dangers of nicotine. Before the end of the year, both the House of Representatives and Senate are expected to approve the government-funding bills, sending them to President Trump for his signature. As senators from two states with a long history of tobacco production and consumption, Senators McConnell and Kaine have seen the negative effects of youth tobacco use and have heard compelling public health stories from concerned constituents throughout their states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2019, over 6 million U.S. middle and high school students were current users of tobacco products with 1 in 3 high school students and 1 in 8 middle school students reporting using some type of tobacco product in the past 30 days. In response, the two Senators introduced the Tobacco-Free Youth Act to help stem the tide of these alarming trends by making it unlawful for retailers to sell tobacco products to anyone younger than 21. A report from the Institute of Medicine found that most adult smokers start smoking before age 21 and that increasing the tobacco age to 21 could save lives, improve public health, and reduce tobacco initiation among youth. Young tobacco users may not know what chemicals they are putting into their bodies, let alone the long-term health risks that could negatively impact them as adults. Since I introduced my legislation earlier this year to raise the minimum nationwide purchase age for tobacco products from 18 to 21, stories of vaping related illnesses and deaths -- especially among young people -- have stunned Kentucky and the nation, said Senator McConnell. I'm grateful to the communities, the health advocates and my fellow elected officials, including President Trump and Senators Todd Young and Mitt Romney, who have joined Senator Kaine and me to address this urgent crisis and keep these dangerous products away from our children. It is because of my position as a tobacco state Senator that I introduced this bill, and it is because of my role as Senate Majority Leader that it will become law. Together, we can help Kentucky's young people grow up healthy and with every opportunity to reach their full potential. I'm thrilled that our bill to raise the tobacco age from 18 to 21 will get a vote in the House and Senate this week. This legislation will have an enormous positive impact on public health in America, and it's needed now more than ever as we grapple with the youth e-cigarette epidemic. It's estimated that raising the tobacco age to 21 would reduce the number of premature deaths by 223,000 and significantly reduce lung cancer deaths and other health problems. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their work on this critical effort including Leader McConnell, Leader Schumer, and Senators Murray, Alexander, Schatz, Young, Durbin, and Romney. I hope we can get this lifesaving bill across the finish line without delay, said Senator Kaine. Related Issues: Tobacco 21 Print Email Tweet Previous",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=387172,Guthrie Announces Congressional App Challenge Winners,2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Brett Guthrie,G000558,guthrie.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) today announced the winners of the Second District Congressional App Challenge. Congressman Guthrie hosted the inaugural Second District Congressional App Challenge to give middle school and high school students an opportunity to practice coding and computer science skills. The winning app will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for the next year. The overall first place winner is a team of three students from Barren County High School: Dallas Dillon, Olivia Crowe, and Zach Shearer. Their app, ThriveAB, was designed to support mothers struggling with postpartum depression. The app provides medical, emotional, and social support for women in rural communities. I want to congratulate Dallas, Olivia, and Zach for winning the Second District Congressional App Challenge. I also want to thank them for choosing such an important issue that impacts many Kentucky mothers for their app, said Guthrie. As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I was thrilled to host this challenge to help students develop and show off their STEM skills. I want to thank all of the teachers who encouraged students to participate. We have some extremely talented students in our district, and I was impressed with all 41 submissions we received. Congratulations to all of the participants, and I look forward to seeing Dallas, Olivia, and Zach's app displayed in the U.S. Capitol! The Congressional App Challenge was judged by a panel of computer science experts throughout the Second District. See below for a full list of winners. Overall First Place: Dallas Dillon, Olivia Crowe, Zach Shearer Barren County High School ThriveAB Overall Second Place: Mina Ryumae The Gatton Academy Find My Pet Overall Third Place: Ben O'Bryan Apollo High School Sign Away Middle School First Place: Noah Bennett, Chandler Perdue, Wade Wilson Hebron Middle School 8 Blt Sprint Middle School Second Place: Taylor Zaneski Hebron Middle School Flight of Dragons Middle School Third Place: Brett Berry, Lilly Dockery, Navaeh Ricketts, James Harris Hebron Middle School Educational Escape Room ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C1BDA089-2788-4A6E-81F3-4084BE5C45A8,Statement from Congressman Barr on Today’s Health Care Votes,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) released the following statement regarding today’s House vote on two health care bills. “With prescription drugs among the key factors driving up the cost of health care, it is essential that we approve policies that both encourage innovation and protect consumers, particularly our seniors. H.R. 3 is no such policy. It will destroy the progress we have made through the 21st Century Cures Act and result in more than 100 fewer breakthrough cures for patients with cancers, rare genetic diseases and other serious, life-threatening issues. “I oppose H.R. 3 because its drug price controls will stifle innovation and will result in hundreds of fewer cures. “I have heard from some of my constituents that they are seriously impacted by the cost of their prescription drugs, the depths they have gone to access medications they need, and how this struggle has affected their health and overall quality of life. Some are truly choosing between paying their electric bill, buying the food that they need, and buying their prescription drugs. “The results of exorbitant increases in the price of drugs? Needed prescriptions aren’t filled; doses are skipped; pills are cut in half—all harmful to the patient’s health. And why? Because some patients simply cannot afford the exorbitant cost, the skyrocketing cost, of prescription drugs. This should not happen. We must join together to combat the exorbitant prescription costs that confront more and more Americans every day. “More than half of all Americans, and 90 percent of seniors, take at least one prescription drug each month. For many, access to these medicines is not only critical to their well-being, but it can literally be a matter of life and death. For children and adults with Type 1 diabetes, insulin is not a luxury or something that is nice to have. Insulin is essential to their ability to survive. Insulin was first isolated nearly a century ago in Canada, and yet its cost has soared in recent years. “Unfortunately, H.R. 3 is no solution. It will dictate price controls for medications and lead to rationing – ultimately destroying drug research, discovery, and innovation. “We must increase transparency and competition in the prescription drug market. I don’t think there is any product that we buy in this country where there is less transparency in the price than the price of prescription drugs. “That is why I supported the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, a bipartisan solution that addresses the anti-competitive practices of companies that delay or even block access to a sufficient quantity of the brand name drug needed to conduct the bio-equivalency test required by the FDA as part of the generic drug approval process. This legislation will increase competition and get more generic medicines to the market by stopping behaviors such as Pay-for-Delay agreements where pharmaceutical companies make side agreements with each other not to compete. Further, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act encourages innovation of groundbreaking new cures, promotes low-cost options for patients, places a cap on seniors’ out-of-pocket drug costs, makes insulin more affordable, and cuts the cost of drug administration by as much as half. “Congress has a tremendous opportunity to deliver a decisive victory in both lowering health care costs and improving health care for the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and throughout America. If we want new medicines to reach consumers who need them, the companies that invest in the research and take the risks necessary must see a fair return on their investment. At the same time, we can no longer allow the price manipulation and the market distortions to continue at the expense of the most vulnerable Americans and their families, and ultimately at the expense of every American taxpayer. We can act to make a real difference in the lives of Americans whose health depends on affordable prescription drugs. The required policy solution is not price controls that will limit innovation and ultimately harm patients. The real policy solutions are bipartisan and we should come together and work together to get it done.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=387171,"VIDEOS: Guthrie Fights for Lower Drug Prices, Defends Innovation in Health Care",2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Brett Guthrie,G000558,guthrie.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and a senior member of the committee's Health Subcommittee, this week urged his colleagues to consider legislation that will lower prescription drug prices without sacrificing innovation and research into new cures. This week, the House considered a partisan bill, H.R. 3, that would limit access to lifesaving medications. In contrast, Congressman Guthrie cosponsored the Lower Costs, More Cures Act (H.R. 19), a bipartisan bill that would lower prescription drug prices. Republicans, Democrats, President Trump, doctors, pharmacists and patients: We all want lower drug prices, said Guthrie on the House floor last night. I was proud to cosponsor the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, a bill that includes only bipartisan solutions to lower drug prices. My Democratic colleagues have agreed to these provisions in the past. The Lower Costs, More Cures Act will allow for the continuation of lifesaving innovation in health care research while lowering drug prices for Kentuckians. Guthrie also spoke on the House floor about the consequences of a single payer health care system. In the United States, we have access to cutting edge innovative drugs, said Guthrie. The key word here is access. Under H.R. 3, we risk sacrificing this access for more bureaucracy and fewer cures. There are bipartisan solutions to lower drug prices, including H.R. 19, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act, that will level the playing the field for American consumers, and maintain innovation. Republicans introduced the Lower Costs, More Cures Act as an amendment to Speaker Pelosi's H.R. 3. Though the Lower Costs, More Cures Act did not pass on the House floor this afternoon, Congressman Guthrie is committed to lowering prescription drug prices. Congressman Guthrie has met with President Trump personally on this issue and will continue to work across the aisle to ensure that Kentuckians have access to affordable prescription drugs. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://massie.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/representatives-massie-pingree-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-allow-interstate,Representatives Massie & Pingree Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Allow Interstate Traffic of Raw Milk,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Thomas Massie,M001184,massie.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Laura Lington (Massie) (202) 225-3465 laura.lington@mail.house.gov Victoria Bonney (Pingree) (202) 225-6116 victoria.bonney@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced the Interstate Milk Freedom Act (H.R. 5410) today. This bill prohibits federal interference with the interstate traffic of unpasteurized milk and milk products that are packaged for direct human consumption. It's legal to drink raw milk in 50 states. It is legal to sell raw milk in 28 states. Congress has never passed a ban on raw milk. Yet, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did so in capitulation to a lawsuit. Federal agencies, such as the FDA, that are part of the executive branch do not and should not have the power to shut down trade between peaceful farmers and willing consumers. It is Congress's job to legislate, said Rep. Massie. Our Interstate Milk Freedom Act would make it easier for families to buy milk of their choice by reversing the criminalization of specific dairy farmers. So many people across the country want to make sure their food is fresh and localincluding fruits, vegetables, and even their milk, said Rep. Pingree. Raw milk is currently the only food banned for interstate commercean onerous regulation that hurts small farmers for selling milk straight from their cows to the consumer. American families can best decide what milk will best serve their sons and daughters,"" said Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL). The FDA has no Congressional directive or safety regulation that justifies interfering in a decision between a consumer and dairy farmer. This is an issue best left up to states and consumers. Raw milk is a niche product highly valued by educated consumers who understand any risks associated with its consumption. This industry is vital economically for many small family farms in my district, who survive and thrive by selling directly to the consumer. Farmers throughout Pennsylvania's 11th District and the nation work tirelessly to ensure safe, nutritious dairy products are available to everyone, Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) said. Small family farms have been consuming and distributing raw milk safely for hundreds of years. This bill rightly gets the federal government out of the way and decriminalizes farmers and producers who choose to sell or take unpasteurized milk and other dairy products to willing customers throughout the nation. This legislation was introduced as an amendment to the 2018 Farm Bill. It was also introduced as a standalone bill in 2015 and 2014. The Interstate Milk Freedom Act simply says that if two states have legalized the sale of unpasteurized milk, then no federal department, agency, or court may take any action to prohibit or restrict the interstate traffic of milk between those two states. This bill would prohibit the federal government from interfering with the interstate traffic of raw milk products between states where distribution or sale of such products is already legal. Original cosponsors of H.R. 5410 include Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Ted Budd (R-NC), Daniel Webster (R-FL), Alex Mooney (R-WV), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Mark Meadows (R-NC), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Justin Amash (I-MI), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chip Roy (R-TX), and Matt Gaetz (R-FL). Massie owns 50 head of cattle on his off-the-grid farm in northeast Kentucky. Pingree raises grass-fed beef and chickens on her island farm in North Haven, Maine.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=3E31203E-409B-466F-BD96-682E0A6102C8,Democrats Impeachment Obsession Has Left Congress With An Overload of 11th-Hour Legislation,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the week's business and impeachment: It's no secret that Washington Democrats have been itching to impeach President Trump since the moment he took the oath of office. Remember the Washington Post headline on Inauguration Day in 2017: The Campaign to Impeach President Trump Has Begun. Just a few months later, in April 2017, one leading House Democrat had already made up her mind. She declared she would, quote, fight every day until he's impeached. As an aside, this same senior Democrat is one of the committee chairwomen that Speaker Pelosi asked to help lead the impeachment process. She was literally standing at the Speaker's shoulder as she announced yesterday that she'll bring two articles of impeachment up for a vote. Yet she'd had her mind made up more than two years ago, long before this supposedly fair inquiry. Sort of emblematic of their whole process. Yesterday, House Democrats announced they will rush ahead and prepare to send the Senate articles of impeachment based on the least thorough and most unfair impeachment inquiry in modern history. Well, the House Democrats' denigration of their solemn duty will not cause the Senate to denigrate ours. If the House continues down this destructive road and sends us articles of impeachment, the Senate will take them up in the new year and proceed to a fair trial. Now in the meantime, our colleagues' obsession with impeachment has left us with a host of important bipartisan legislation that is still unfinished at this late date. For months, Senate Republicans have been calling on our Democratic colleagues to go beyond picking fights with the White House and actually legislate for the American people. But practically the entire autumn, our Democrat friends' political calculation seemed to be that these vital pieces of business could wait until the eleventh hour because impeachment was the higher priority. And wait they have. Finally, after weeks of pressure from Republicans and from hard-working Americans across the country, Speaker Pelosi backed down yesterday and announced she'll let the House vote on President Trump's USMCA. Democrats have stalled this agreement for so long that it is now impossible for the USMCA to become law in 2019 -- especially given all the other urgent things they've stalled right alongside it. Democrats have simply run out the clock. And assuming that House Democrats send us articles of impeachment next week, a Senate trial will have to be our first item of business in January. So the USMCA will continue to be a casualty of Democrats' impeachment obsession for several more weeks before we can turn to it. But I'm glad the Speaker is finally beginning to bring her USMCA obstruction to a close. As we triage in the coming days, Republicans hope we'll be able to pass not only the NDAA conference report, but also government funding legislation that allocates taxpayers' hard-earned money to urgent federal priorities. The NDAA has consistently brought members from across the political spectrum together, with good reason: it's Congress's opportunity to set priorities for the U.S. military of the future. The NDAA helps guide the Pentagon's investments in modernization and readiness, cutting-edge weapons and capabilities, and in servicemembers and military families. And I'm grateful for the efforts of Chairman Inhofe and Ranking Member Reed, who made compromises from the beginning and worked hard to ensure the conference report remained true to the 58-year tradition of a bipartisan bill that prioritizes our military and sets aside unrelated partisan priorities. I cannot say the same about the Democrats in the House, unfortunately. But I hope they will learn from this year's difficult path to a conference report. And next year, I hope they can produce a bipartisan bill from the beginning that puts our national security interests first. Now, obviously, that authorizing legislation should be paired with the appropriations measure that will actually fund our servicemembers' tools and training and enable our commanders to plan ahead. I'm grateful for the hard work of Chairman Shelby, his counterpart in the House, and our subcommittee chairs to reboot a stalled appropriations process and try to get bills over the finish line in the short time that remains. To be frank, only a laser focus from both parties and both chambers on getting results will create a path to pass appropriations bills this year. There simply is not time left for my Democratic friends to continue haggling over the exact kinds of poison pills, partisan policy riders, and presidential transfer authorities that the Speaker and the Democratic Leader explicitly agreed months ago would be off the table. The White House, Republican leaders in both chambers, and Democrat leaders in both chambers all agreed to these parameters -- literally pledged in writing that these kinds of partisan roadblocks would be kept out of the process. So if all parties honor what they agreed to, we should still have an opportunity to agree on government funding in time to make law this month. Now that our Democratic colleagues are back at the table, Senate Republicans stand ready to do all we can in the time we still have. Let's end this legislative year on the right foot. Let's deliver for our all-volunteer armed forces and for families across our country.' ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=2F987869-4B25-4E62-9E14-914779CD089E,"House Passes Rep. Barr’s Legislation, Kentucky Priorities in Bipartisan NDAA",2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) today voted in favor of the bipartisan Conference Report to Accompany S. 1790 – the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) containing a number of Kentucky priorities and provisions authored by the Congressman. The annual defense policy bill that sets policies for the military and authorizes funding passed the House 377-48. “As a conferee on the FY2020 NDAA Conference Committee, I was proud to secure two pieces of legislation I previously introduced this Congress into the final version of the bill – the Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions and Enforcement Act and the Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act,” said Congressman Barr “My North Korea sanctions provisions – titled in honor of the late Otto Warmbier, who was unjustly imprisoned and later died as a result of his mistreatment by the Kim regime – imposes the toughest financial sanctions ever directed at North Korea in order to cut off Pyongyang’s ability to finance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Additionally, my Nord Stream 2 provision imposes sanctions on persons involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 or TurkStream natural gas pipeline projects which are being supported by Russia to spread its malign influence into Europe and undermine the energy security of our NATO allies.” In addition to international sanctions on America’s adversaries, the FY2020 NDAA included a number of priorities important for Kentucky. Congressman Barr supported the 3.1% pay raise for servicemembers to ensure that those serving our country are able to support themselves and their families. The defense bill also included a three-year phased repeal of the Survivor Benefit Plan/Dependency and Indemnity Compensation offset, more commonly known as the military widow’s tax, removing an unfair and burdensome penalty from families that have already sacrificed so much for this country. Additionally, the conference agreement takes a momentous step in providing 12 weeks of paid parental leave to all federal civilian employees. For the Sixth District, the NDAA provides authorizations for citizen-soldiers serving the Commonwealth and the Nation in the Army and Air National Guard at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort. The bill also allows the United States to meet its international obligations to destroy chemical weapons by authorizing continued chemical agent and munitions destruction activity that occurs at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County. Supporting the partnership between the National Guard and local authorities, the NDAA authorizes funding for drug interdiction and counter-drug activities in Eastern Kentucky. “I was proud to vote for this bipartisan agreement that not only cracks down on the malign actions of adversaries like North Korea and Russia, but gives our servicemembers the largest pay raise in a decade and provides for a number of critical activities in the Sixth District that support our national defense,” said Congressman Barr.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=387167,ICYMI: Guthrie Presses Insurers on Rising Insulin Prices,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Brett Guthrie,G000558,guthrie.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, has joined his fellow committee leaders in pressing insurance companies for answers on their role in the rising cost of insulin at the pharmacy counter. In letters to Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, CVS Health, Cigna Corporation, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealth Group, Guthrie, full committee Republican leader Greg Walden (OR-02) and Health Subcommittee Republican leader Michael Burgess (TX-26) request information on the relationship between insulin's list price and its negotiated price and the impact this negotiation process has on the price patients pay. We are continuing to investigate the rising costs of health care across numerous services and products, including, but not limited to, spending on hospitals, physicians, and prescription drugs. As part of this work, we have focused on the increasing price of insulin for patients with diabetes, the leaders wrote. Guthrie led a two-part committee investigation into the rising costs of insulin earlier this year. Although the list price of many insulin products significantly increased over the past decade, the net price received by manufacturers for many of these insulin products stayed the same or decreased over the same period. Unfortunately, even though the average net price that manufacturers are receiving for many insulin products is decreasing and PBMs are working with health plans to help reduce the cost of insulin for health plans, many Americans are facing increased out-of-pocket costs for their insulin at the pharmacy counter, the leaders continue in their letters. We are therefore examining the role of insurers in the prescription drug supply chain, including questions about how insurers make decisions about plan design, the use of rebates in the insulin market, and the level of transparency between insurers and their supply chain partners. The letters come as Energy and Commerce Republicans are calling for cooperation from Democrats on bipartisan solutions to lower drug costs for Americans, rather than Speaker Pelosi's partisan drug pricing bill that will result in fewer cures. Congressman Guthrie is a cosponsor of the Lower Costs, More Cures Act (H.R. 19) that will lower drug prices without limiting access to lifesaving cures. Click here to read the letters. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=387169,PHOTOS: Guthrie Hosts Fort Knox at Energy Innovation Showcase,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Brett Guthrie,G000558,guthrie.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), a senior member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, this week hosted representatives from the U.S. Army and Fort Knox at the committee's Energy and Environment Innovation Showcase. The Energy and Environment Innovation Showcase highlighted businesses and organizations from across the country that are developing and deploying breakthrough technologies to reduce emissions and save energy. I invited the U.S. Army and Fort Knox to the Energy and Environment Innovation Showcase because I wanted my colleagues on the committee to see the fantastic work they are doing to make the installation energy independent, said Guthrie. Fort Knox's program is a model for what other bases and organizations can do to take advantage of natural resources and achieve energy independence. I was proud to highlight this impressive work at the showcase, and I know my colleagues appreciated hearing from Fort Knox and the U.S. Army. The Army is highly dependent on energy and needs access to it in many forms, including electricity, liquid fuels, natural gas and others. The Army has several critical missions that cannot be accomplished if natural disasters or adversaries disrupt the energy supply; therefore, the Army is working with energy providers to implement energy resilience solutions. Reliable access to energy is vital to support Multi-Domain Operations, and the Army appreciates the support from Congress over the years. Energy resilience enables Army readiness, said Mr. Michael F. McGhee, P.E., Executive Director, Office of Energy Initiatives, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Energy & Sustainability) at the U.S. Army Congressman Guthrie has long supported Fort Knox's energy independence program. Last year, he authored legislation to make the program permanent. Click here to view photos from the Energy and Environment Innovation Showcase. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=387170,Guthrie Votes to Support Our Troops,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Brett Guthrie,G000558,guthrie.house.gov,,,legacy,"Guthrie Votes to Support Our Troops Washington, December 11, 2019 WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) today released the following statement after voting in favor of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): The brave men and women in our Armed Forces deserve nothing but the best. I was proud to vote for the Fiscal Year 2020 NDAA, which will give our troops a 3.1% pay raise, the largest increase in a decade. This bill provides resources to help military spouses find jobs, something I hear about often from the soldiers at Fort Knox, and it improves military housing policies. It also establishes a U.S. Space Force and allows President Trump to continue to secure our border. The NDAA is vital for the future of our military, and I thank President Trump for making our troops and our national security a priority. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A08151EA-6CC7-4A36-8DED-20889A662133,Rogers Applauds Passage of 2020 Federal Defense Bill,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC -- Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 on Thursday afternoon, authorizing $738 billion to strengthen America's national security and support our men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill also authorizes an additional $5.3 billion in emergency funding for disaster recovery. The legislation takes major steps to address the complex threats that our nation and allies face today, and boosts the readiness of our military to deter and defeat any adversaries, as necessary. The bill supports a 3.1 percent pay raise for our troops, the largest increase in a decade, and provides an overdue overhaul of privatized military housing. It recognizes the Space Force as an official sixth Armed Service of the U.S. military, fast-tracks nuclear modernization, and enhances our military fleet with next generation submarines, jetfighters, missile destroyers, warships, and more. ""We have no greater responsibility than to provide for the common defense of this nation. The NDAA invests in the long-term security of Americans at the battlefront, the homefront and into the vast new realm of our spacefront. It puts families first, increasing military pay, ensuring familiy members of deceased veterans receive much-needed benefits, and repeals the Widow's Tax,"" said Congressman Rogers, a senior member of the House Apporopriations Committee. ""I applaud my fellow Republicans for working tirelessly to rescue this bill from the partisan version that Democrats rushed through the House in July. Rather than slashing vital military funding and undermining key defense initiatives, this critical Defense bill now ensures our military maintains the power and readiness it needs to ensure our national security."" The NDAA does not block the use of federal funding for border wall structures, nor restricts counterdrug operations. Additionally, it ensures terrorist detention facilities remain off of U.S. soil, and keeps Guantanamo Bay open. The legislation also provides up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees for the first time, a key initiative of the Trump Administration.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://www.republicanleader.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/50-circuit-judges,50,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.republicanleader.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.19 50 In Less Than Three Years, President Trump Has Appointed And The Republican Senate Has Confirmed 50 Circuit Judges, More Than Any President's First Full Term Since 1980 In less than three years, President Trump has appointed and the Republican Senate has confirmed 50 circuit judges. That is already the most in any president's whole first term since 1980. https://t.co/3Ns65gvCje pic.twitter.com/r0mZgunu7f Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) December 11, 2019 More Than One Out Of Every Four Circuit Judges Has Been Nominated By President Trump And Confirmed By The Republican Senate Authorized Circuit Court Judgeships: 179 Circuit judges confirmed by 115th 116th Congresses: 50 Percentage of all authorized circuit judgeships nominated by President Trump and confirmed: 28% (Judicial Vacancies, United States Courts Website, Accessed 12/11/2019; Congress.gov, Accessed 12/11/2019) In Less Than Three Years, The Senate Has Confirmed The Most Circuit Judges In A President's First Term Since 1980 President Years Circuit Court Judges Confirmed Donald Trump 2017-2019 50 Barack Obama 2009-2013 30 George W. Bush 2001-2005 35 Bill Clinton 1993-1997 30 George H.W. Bush 1989-1993 42 Ronald Reagan 1981-1985 33 (""Biographical Directory of Article III Federal Judges, 1789-present,"" History of the Federal Judiciary, Federal Judicial Center Website, Accessed 12/11/2019) In less than three years as president, President Trump has done nearly as much to shape the courts as President Obama did in eight years. (What Trump Has Done To The Courts, Explained, Vox, 12/09/2019) On the courts of appeal, the final word in the overwhelming majority of federal cases, more than one-quarter of active judges are Trump appointees. In less than three years, Trump has named a total of [50] judges to these courts compared to the 55 Obama appointed during his entire presidency. (What Trump Has Done To The Courts, Explained, Vox, 12/09/2019) REP. JIM HIMES (D-CT): Mitch McConnell has converted the United States Senate into a machine to approve judges. Americans need to understand that half of the Congress is a machine to approve Donald Trump's judges. (Democratic Congressman Complains McConnell Has Turned Senate Into A Machine To Approve Judges,' Washington Examiner, 12/05/2019) McConnell views judicial nominations as a top priority, and the party's best shot at having a long-term influence on the direction of the country. Republicans have made it a priority to nominate young, conservative judicial picks who could theoretically hold their lifetime appointments for decades. (Senate Confirms Eight Trump Court Picks In Three Days, The Hill, 12/05/2019) [W]ith McConnell's Help, Trump Is Making His Mark On The San Francisco-Based 9th Circuit, The Longtime Liberal Bastion' [W]ith McConnell's help, Trump is making his mark on the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit, the longtime liberal bastion (McConnell, Eyeing Legacy, Turns Senate Into Machine for Conservative Judges, Bloomberg News, 8/12/2019) President Trump has appointed 10 judges to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, more than to any other circuit. (""Biographical Directory of Article III Federal Judges, 1789-present,"" History of the Federal Judiciary, Federal Judicial Center Website, Accessed 12/11/2019) Mark J. Bennett of Hawaii Ryan D. Nelson of Idaho Eric D. Miller of Washington Bridget S. Bade of Arizona Kenneth K. Lee of California Daniel P. Collins of California Daniel A. Bress of California Danielle J. Hunsaker of Oregon Patrick J. Bumatay of California Lawrence VanDyke of Nevada After Flipping The 2nd, 3rd, And 11th Circuits, A Majority Of The Federal Appellate Courts Now Have More Republican-Appointed Judges Than Democrat-Appointed Judges When Trump took office, only four of the 13 [federal appellate courts] had more Republican-appointed judges than Democratic selections. Now seven do. (Reuters, 11/20/2019) U.S. Courts of Appeals, which review decisions from federal trial courts, wield a great deal of power. They often have the final word in interpreting federal law because the U.S. Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, hears fewer than 100 cases a year. (Courting Change, Reuters, 11/20/2019) The Senate confirmed yet another of President Trump's picks to a federal circuit court seat [in November] in a vote that tilts the balance of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to a GOP-appointed majority. The 11th Circuit is now the third court to undergo such a transformation during Trump's presidency. (Confirmation Of Latest Trump Judicial Pick Tilts Balance Of 11th Circuit Court, Fox News, 11/20/2019) The 2nd Circuit flipped [in November], gaining a 7-6 Republican-appointed majority following the Senate's confirmation of Steven Menashi, the fifth Trump appointee to that court. In March, a Trump appointee confirmed by the Senate to the 3rd Circuit gave that court an 8-6 Republican-appointed majority, including four Trump nominees. (Reuters, 11/20/2019) Based Solely On Objective Legal Credentials, The Average Trump Appointee Has A Far More Impressive Rsum Than Any Past President's Nominees' Trump hasn't simply given lots of lifetime appointments to lots of lawyers. He's filled the bench with some of the smartest men and women to be found in the conservative movement. Long after Trump leaves office, these judges will shape American law (What Trump Has Done To The Courts, Explained, Vox, 12/09/2019) [President Trump's] picks [for the federal bench] include leading academics, Supreme Court litigators, and already prominent judges who now enjoy even more power within the judiciary. Approximately 40 percent of Trump's appellate nominees clerked for a Supreme Court justice, and about 80 percent clerked on a federal court of appeals. That compares to less than a quarter of Obama's nominees who clerked on the Supreme Court, and less than half with a federal appellate clerkship. In other words, based solely on objective legal credentials, the average Trump appointee has a far more impressive rsum than any past president's nominees. (What Trump Has Done To The Courts, Explained, Vox, 12/09/2019) The Trump Administration's Indispensable Partner In Seating Two Supreme Court Justices And [Numerous] Lower-Court Judges,' McConnell Is Giving The Nation's Federal Courts A Facelift' [Q]uietly and methodically, McConnell is giving the nation's federal courts a facelift [a] silent but incredibly consequential judicial overhaul (McConnell's GOP Haters Are Overlooking His Greatest Achievement, The Daily Beast, 5/11/2018) The judicial renaissance, led by Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, has energized a party wowed by the number of judges placed on the federal bench Mr. McConnell has come to define his legacy by his ability to transform the judiciary, calling the confirmations the most significant, long-term contribution we are making to the country' in an interview with a Kentucky radio station last week. (Trump's Judicial Nominees Take Heat but Largely Keep Marching Through Senate, The New York Times, 12/11/2018) [McConnell] was the Trump administration's indispensable partner in seating two Supreme Court justices and [numerous] lower-court judges: a generational remaking of the courts that has made McConnell, in my view, the most consequential majority leader, certainly, in modern history,' says Leonard Leo, the conservative legal activist who serves as executive vice president of the Federalist Society and as an adviser to the Trump administration on the court appointments. (The New York Times Magazine, 1/22/2019) ### SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER Related Issues: Nominations, Judicial Nominations Print Email Tweet Previous",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=4F066152-34A6-4C28-9B9C-5614471DF2B0,McConnell: Its The 11th Hour for Crucial Legislation After Months of Democrats Delays,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the week's business: As we enter the final weeks of 2019, two things seem to be true here in Congress. Number one: Our Democratic colleagues, particularly in the House, seem eager to pour the vast majority of their time and energy into their three-year-long journey to impeach the president the American people elected. And, as a consequence, number two: Congress has yet to fulfill a number of its core governing responsibilities for this year. At this late date, several crucial, must-pass bills remain undone. For months, my fellow Republicans and I have been stressing the need for productive, bipartisan cooperation on these pressing subjects. Funding for the federal government. Defense appropriations -- the money for our troops. The National Defense Authorization Act. But for months, our calls for Democrats to join us in serious negotiations went largely unanswered, as Democratic leadership opted for a different political playbook: Obsess over impeachment and obstruct this core business. Earlier this year, House Democrats pushed through what we believe was the first purely party-line NDAA that either chamber has ever passed in the 58-year history of this legislation. This is the legislation that puts forward Congress' priorities for equipping, training, and maintaining the greatest fighting forces in the world. It had never been used before as a purely partisan weapon. Not until this year. But reassuringly, the past few days have finally brought an end to bipartisan talks and produced a compromise NDAA. The end result should be able to pass both chambers and earn the president's signature. And it won't come a moment too soon. The NDAA authorizes resources to keep critical military installations, like Fort Campbell, Fort Knox, and the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky, running smoothly. It is similarly important to facilities in many of my colleagues' home states as well. And nationally, of course, it directs readiness efforts, prioritizes research and development programs, and enacts vital reforms at the Pentagon. So I look forward to sending the final, bipartisan product of the conference committee to the president for his signature soon. In addition to that authorizing legislation, Congress of course needs to actually appropriate funds for our national defense and for all the other functions of our federal government.Just a few months ago, when leaders on both sides put their names to a bipartisan, bicameral road map for the appropriations process, it looked as though we might keep partisan disputes out of this process and finish up the appropriations process with time to spare. Unfortunately, though, my Democratic counterparts decided that picking fights with the White House was a higher priority, and we spent the autumn mired in disputes over exactly the kinds of poison pills and presidential authorities that the Speaker and the Democratic Leader had previously promised would be off-limits. But, as we speak, Chairman Shelby and appropriators in both chambers are trying to bring months of near-stalemate to a close. Last month, bipartisan, bicameral agreement was reached on subcommittee allocations. And talks continue this week on outstanding issues. Thanks to the months of delay, we have a long way to go and a very short time to do it. I hope that our Democratic colleagues can finally stick to the terms of the budget agreement and keep partisan policy fights out of this process. That's the only way both chambers will have a chance of being able to vote on funding bills before the end of this year. And that brings us to the USMCA. For the better part of the past year, President Trump's landmark agreement to update North American trade policy has been languishing as Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats indulged further and further in impeachment. 176,000 new American jobs sat waiting on ice as the Speaker offered month after month of lukewarm assurances that her caucus was hoping to be on a path to yes. But this week, at long last, it appears that House Democrats may finally be willing to take action for American workers and job creators and let the House vote on the president's deal. I was pleased to hear that U.S. negotiators, led by Robert Lighthizer, are headed to Mexico today to finalize the details on this important win for the American economy. I hope this forward momentum continues. So that's the state of play. There is a lot left to do for the American families we represent, if our Democratic colleagues will allow it. And it will certainly take a great deal of cooperation and consent here in the Senate if we intend to consider and pass these measures before the end of the year. Obstruction and stalemate have brought us to the 11th hour. I hope, now that we're here, that both chambers will be able to set aside Democrats' impeachment parade long enough to get the people's business done.'",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.republicanleader.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/leader-mcconnell-meets-with-senator-designate-kelly-loeffler,Leader McConnell Meets With Senator-Designate Kelly Loeffler,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.republicanleader.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.10.19 Leader McConnell Meets With Senator-Designate Kelly Loeffler WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement after meeting today with Senator-Designate for Georgia, Kelly Loeffler: It was a pleasure to meet with Senator-designate Kelly Loeffler this morning. It is already clear that Governor Kemp has made a terrific choice. Senator-designate Loeffler is an impressive and thoughtful leader who is eager to continue Sen. Isakson's record of outstanding service for the people of Georgia. We discussed our shared priorities that will define Senate Republicans' work in 2020: Continuing to grow this historically strong economy for American workers and families, advocating for our veterans, rebuilding and modernizing our armed forces, and confirming impressive men and women to the federal judiciary. Georgians will be well-served to have Senator-designate Loeffler on their team starting in January and her soon-to-be Senate Republican colleagues will be glad to have her on ours.' Print Email Tweet Previous",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=4C27FC90-1DFE-462A-B26C-B1F58F2EF1C8,McConnell: It Will Require Consent and Cooperation to Finish Legislation That Impeachment Has Stalled,2019-12-09,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the week's business: As the end of the year approaches, and the House Democrat majority continues to pour their time and attention into impeaching the president, a number of key legislative items remain outstanding. For weeks, my Republican colleagues and I have been pleading with our Democratic colleagues in Congress to put aside their impeachment obsession long enough to complete some basic work for the American people. We've explained that American families cannot afford for Washington Democrats to obsess over impeachment and obstruct everything else. So I am pleased that the last several days have brought some initial indications that sanity and progress may be breaking through. We're still a long way from the finish line, but this week begins on a cautiously optimistic note. It appears that Democrats' willingness to block these basic governing items may finally be giving way. The National Defense Authorization Act is our annual must-pass vehicle laying out Congress' plan for addressing military funding priorities and meeting the needs of our servicemembers. It's a responsibility that this body has discharged in a bipartisan manner every year, without fail, for the past 58 years. That's why it was so disheartening that Democratic leadership in both the House and the Senate broke with tradition and used this year's NDAA process to insist on all manner of partisan items, including non-germane domestic policy changes. This partisan approach left the future of the Pentagon's most urgent missions in the lurch. So I'm encouraged that bicameral negotiations, with participation from the White House, reached a conclusion last week. Most of the partisan demands predictably fell away. The result is not either side's ideal bill, but it is one that should be able to pass both chambers under the circumstances. I hope the bipartisan conference report will be signed and move quickly through each chamber so Congress can finally fulfill our responsibility to America's armed forces for another year. And then there's the appropriations process: another fundamental responsibility which, for the good of the nation, is historically approached with a bipartisan willingness to find common ground. It seemed like that might again be the case when a bicameral, bipartisan deal was struck by the President and the Speaker of the House back in July. But then, when negotiations resumed in earnest back in September, some of our Democrat colleagues realized they weren't ready to part with partisan poison pills, after all. They ignored their own agreement and months of stalemate ensued. But fortunately, our appropriators are working hard to salvage the process. Last month, Chairmen Shelby and Chairwoman Lowey and our other colleagues reached a deal on subcommittee allocations. And I understand that their hard work continued in earnest over the weekend with the goal of producing bills that both chambers could consider before the end of this year. I am grateful to colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their hard work. I hope this progress continues and we can consider appropriations measures this month. Now, there's still one more major piece of bipartisan legislation awaiting action by House Democrats. For months, Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats have been slow-walking President Trump's landmark trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. Month after month, House Democrats kept 176,000 new American jobs in limbo. But finally, after weeks of a full-court press from Republicans in the House and in the Senate, we are seeing hopeful signals that Speaker Pelosi's months-long stalling campaign may, at long last, be coming to an end. Reports suggest the Speaker may finally allow the House to vote in the near future. For our country's sake, I certainly hope so. What has been true for months is especially true now that time is short: it is going to take bipartisan collaboration and hard work for any of these outstanding legislative priorities to become law. Even if House Democrats do finally relent and allow these key priorities to move forward, it is now the 11th hour, and it will require consent and cooperation for the Senate to consider legislation in a timely fashion. I'd ask for that collaborative spirit from my colleagues on both sides as we move forward.We Republicans have been ready and eager for weeks to legislate on these key priorities. I hope these reports are accurate that leading Democrats may finally be willing to let Congress govern. And I hope we can move forward at a brisk pace and in a bipartisan way.'",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=E698532C-41F0-4B79-96C2-AEB4ED064919,Majority Leader McConnells Statement on Jennifer Yue Barber of Kentucky,2019-12-09,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement regarding President Trump's intention to nominate Jennifer Yue Barber of Kentucky, to be Representative of the United States of America on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador, and Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations: President Trump has made another strong choice to represent the United States by selecting Jennifer Yue Barber, of Louisville, Kentucky, for the Economic and Social Council at the United Nations. Jennifer's record of encouraging economic opportunity in Kentucky will serve her well as she works to help advance cooperation, development and prosperity throughout the international community. I'm grateful Jennifer has chosen to serve our country, and I'm especially glad to know she'll join our fellow Kentuckian, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Kelly Craft, in advancing our strategic interests and values on the world stage. Majority Leader McConnell welcomed Jennifer Yue Barber to his office in the U.S. Capitol in June.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/newsletters?ContentRecord_id=725130BD-9AD2-434D-A7C4-A4A50FF6656C,"U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells eNewsletter - - Week of December 2, 2019",2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's eNewsletter - - Week of December 2, 2019 Majority Leader McConnell and Drug Czar' Join Kentucky Leaders to Open Volunteers of America Center in Clay County McConnell supports life-saving work by championing comprehensive legislation and securing unprecedented levels of federal funding for Kentucky.' Local officials join (L-R) VOA Mid-States President & CEO Jennifer Hancock, KY Senate President Robert Stivers, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, KY Governor-Elect Andy Beshear, KY Attorney General-Elect Daniel Cameron, and ONDCP Director Jim Carroll. Last week, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnelljoined the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Jim Carroll, commonly known as the Drug Czar, and other federal and state officialsin Manchester, Kentucky for the grand opening of a Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) center focused on serving women and children suffering the effects of the opioid and substance abuse epidemic. Senator McConnell and Director Carroll praised the leadership of VOA's president and CEO, Jennifer Hancock, for her dynamic and strong leadership across Kentucky. VOA operates multiple centers throughout the Commonwealth serving women and children as well as our nation's veterans. The new facility in Clay County will provide residential services to mothers and their children as they work toward long-term recovery from substance abuse. As Kentucky continues to endure the unfortunate consequences of opioid and substance abuse, we are reinvesting in comprehensive treatment strategies, saidMajority LeaderMcConnell. I'm grateful to Director Carroll for recognizing, once again, the innovative leadership right here in our Commonwealth, and I'm glad to have his partnership as we address this national crisis. As Senate Majority Leader, I'm committed to supporting the life-saving work of Volunteers of America by championing comprehensive legislation and securing unprecedented levels of federal funding for Kentucky. As we continue to bolster our prevention, treatment, and enforcement efforts, we can make important strides to stopping the tragedy of addiction from inflicting pain on more Kentucky communities. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delivers remarks. It was a pleasure to be in Kentucky today to see the incredible work being done to get more people struggling with addiction the help they need, said ONDCP Director Carroll. The Trump Administration, and all Americans, are fortunate to have great partners like Senator McConnell who choose to devote their time and energy to reversing the pattern of addiction and creating safer communities. Because of the leadership of Senator McConnell and the efforts underway on the front lines across the commonwealth, Kentucky has made progress in accomplishing our ultimate goal: reducing the number of people dying from drug overdoses. Jennifer Hancock, President & CEO, Volunteers of America Mid-States, said, We are so grateful for Leader McConnell's leadership on this vital issue and his support for our work. We consider our expansion in Southeastern Kentucky so much more than a group of projects. It's a movement that shows VOA's long-term commitment to fundamental change. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (center) and VOA Mid-States President & CEO Jennifer Hancock (right) with a Kentucky familywhois able to raise a healthy babythanks toVOA's services. Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, said, I appreciate the immense positive impact that Senator McConnells policies and efforts have had on the Commonwealth of Kentucky. But I am most thankful for his partnership in helping combat the scourge of opioids in Eastern Kentucky. This center from Volunteers of America, based in my hometown of Manchester, will have an invaluable and lasting impact on our region by ensuring that mothers struggling with addiction can get clean, deliver healthy babies, and protect our future generations. Majority LeaderMcConnell Addresses Drug Epidemic During Laurel County Visit Also last week,Majority LeaderMcConnellhosted the Drug Czar in Laurel County, Kentucky for a roundtable briefing with federal, state, and local officials, law enforcement, the Kentucky Air National Guard,and community leaders on efforts to combat the opioid and substance abuse epidemic. The Sentinel Echo in Laurel County, Kentucky reports: ""McConnell has been a strong advocate for fighting the scourge of drug abuse and addiction, and has consistently increased federal funding levels to battle the epidemic. Under McConnell's leadership, Kentucky has received more than $240 million to help fight the drug epidemic and recently worked with the University of Kentucky to secure an $87 million federal grant to address opioid crisis in high-risk communities. Due to his innovative approach toward battling the epidemic, Kentucky has evolved into a model program for other states and has been recognized at the national level."" Click HERE to read the full article. During his visit, Senator McConnellwas presented withaplaque with an affixed machete,reading,In recognition of many years of ardentand steadfast commitment to a drug-free Commonwealth, this machete is hereby presented to The Honorable Mitch McConnell, United StatesSenate Majority Leader. The affixed machete was used on the eradication of thousands of clandestine marijuana plants from within the Commonwealth ofKentucky. Majority Leader McConnell Defends Religious Liberty in America This week, Senator McConnell delivered remarks on the Senate floor, saying:""The liberty of conscience and the freedom to live out our faiths has been a foundational principle from the Republic's earliest days. Many of the first Europeans who arrived in the New World came here fleeing religious persecution...In the last several years, some of our Democratic colleagues have tried literally to impose religious tests on nominees for federal office - they want to just take the No Religious Test Clause and the First Amendment and throw them right out the window. ""So, look these warning signs on religious freedom are popping up everywhere the modern political left rears its head. ""Religious freedom in America has never meant, and will never mean, solely the freedom to worship privately. It has never meant, and will never mean, the ability to practice only a subset of faiths acceptable to some subset of politicians. ""It means the right to live your life according to the dictates of your faith and conscience free from government coercion. ""f those statements strike anybody in this chamber as remotely controversial, that is exactly why President Trump, Senate Republicans, and millions of Americans are focused on confirming federal judges who will apply our Constitution as it was originally understood."" Click the image below to view the Senator's full speech. At McConnell's Request, Federal Banking Regulatory Agencies Issue Joint Guidance to Assist Legal Hemp Industry Kentucky Bankers Association praises Senator McConnell's leadership On Tuesday,Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellannounced that at his request, four federal banking regulatory agencies Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Federal Reserve, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) joined by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors issued a guidance clarifying the legal status of hemp and the relevant requirements for banks providing financial services to hemp related businesses. Since Senator McConnell's initiative for full hemp legalization became law, he has worked on behalf of hemp farmers and stakeholders around Kentucky to impress upon the federal agencies the need to finalize the new regulatory framework implementing his hemp initiative before the 2020 growing season. Many hemp farmers and producers in Kentucky faced challenges accessing capital and other important financial products as they have explored the crop's economic opportunities, despite passage of Senator McConnell's hemp-legalization initiative in the 2018 Farm Bill. Hearing these concerns from his constituents, Senator McConnell earlier this year, was joined by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) in contacting several federal banking and financial regulatory institutions reiterating hemp's legality and requesting timely guidance and clarification to help ease concerns from lawful hemp farmers and producers about the lack of access to financial services. After the National Credit Union Administration fulfilled Senator McConnell's request to issue guidance and the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its regulatory framework, Senator McConnell followed up with the federal banking regulatory agencies in October to reiterate his request for them to issue guidance to help ease this barrier for the legal hemp industry. This multi-agency announcement represents continued progress as we work to ensure hemp is treated just like any other legal agricultural commodity, said Senate Majority Leader McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Even after President Trump signed my initiative in last year's farm bill to fully legalize hemp and remove it from the list of federally controlled substances, I heard from hemp producers around Kentucky about their ongoing challenges, including the lack of access to the financial system. I'm proud federal banking regulators agreed to my request to issue new guidance that affirms hemp's legality. I look forward to more Kentucky producers having the ability to grow their hemp businesses with the help of the Commonwealth's financial institutions. Once again, Senator McConnell showed why he is an indispensable voice for Kentucky in Washington, said Kentucky Bankers Association President and CEO Ballard W. Cassady, Jr. By affirming hemp's status as a legal commodity, this federal guidance can provide much-needed clarity and reassurance to Kentucky banks exploring opportunities in our state's growing hemp industry. For years, Senator McConnell has championed the cause of hemp, helping overcome numerous challenges at the federal level so Kentuckians are able to take full advantage of this exciting crop. Without the Senate Majority Leader throwing his weight behind this Kentucky priority, we might never have gotten it done. Kentucky has been at the forefront of hemp production since the authorization of industrial hemp pilot programs established by Senator McConnell's provision in the 2014 Farm Bill. Agriculture leaders from around the country are looking to the Bluegrass State's hemp industry as the crop is now grown in 101 of 120 counties. Majority Leader McConnell Recognized as '2019 Person of the Year' forLeading the Effort to Legalize Hemp Whole Foods Magazine, a national trade publication, recognized U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as the '2019 Person of the Year' for being the most influential person in the natural products industry with his work to legalize industrial hemp for farmers in Kentucky and around the country.Click HERE to read the magazine article. Senator McConnell, CongressmanRogers File Legislation for Kentucky's First National Heritage Designation Teaming up again to advocate for progress in Eastern Kentucky, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05)filed companion bills on Thursday in the House and Senate to begin the federal process to designate Southern and Eastern Kentucky as the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area. The legislation comes on the heels of Eastern Kentucky PRIDE's grant award from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) earlier this year to brand the region, famously explored by Daniel Boone, as the Kentucky Wildlands. The Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area Study Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete a study to determine whether the region meets the requirements for a National Heritage Area designation. I'm proud to once again work with Congressman Rogers to tap into the great potential of Eastern and Southern Kentucky, said Senate Majority Leader McConnell. The scenic beauty of Kentucky's wilderness is a link to our Commonwealth's rich heritage and a key to our bright future. Preserving the traditions of communities throughout this region as our state's first National Heritage Area can bring both tourism and economic opportunity. I'm grateful to all those in Kentucky who are taking part in this important effort to promote Appalachia's unique culture. Click HERE to readan articlefrom Kentucky Today: McConnell, Rogers work on branding effort for Southern and Eastern Ky. Mike Duncan of Kentucky Confirmed Governor of USPS On Thursday,Majority Leader Mitch McConnell commentedon the Senate confirmation of Robert M. Mike Duncan, of Inez, Kentucky, to serve as a Governor of the United States Postal Service (USPS), saying: I'm proud to congratulate my friend Mike Duncan on his confirmation to continue serving as a Governor of the U.S. Postal Service. Mike's long career of distinguished public service in Kentucky and around the country has been marked by compassion, ingenuity and strong leadership. His colleagues on the Postal Board of Governors have recognized these traits and placed their trust in him as Chairman. I'm grateful Mike has chosen to keep lending his talents and experience to the world's largest postal organization, and I look forward to his continued accomplishments on the Board. American Families, Job Creators Waiting on Speaker Pelosi to Allow USMCA Vote Democrats Continue to Obsess Over Impeachment While Obstructing Everything Else On Wednesday, Senator McConnell delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging House Democrats to pass the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada trade agreement (USMCA), saying: ""This week, House Democrats are continuing their three-year-long quest to impeach the president and continuing to obstruct urgent bipartisan legislation. ""This has been the Democrats' strategy for months now: Obsess over impeachment and obstruct everything else. Take the USMCA, which would create 176,000 new American jobs. Speaker Pelosi has been stalling it for months, constantly saying she is optimistic, or getting close, or almost there. For months it has been this broken record. I understand this very week, while the Speaker of the House has apparently flown to Madrid to discuss climate change, she keeps offering the same empty rhetoric that's no different than what she was saying 10 months ago. ""American workers have waited, and waited, and waited. House Democrats keep stalling."" Read his full remarks HERE. During his weeklymedia availabilityat the U.S. Capitol, Senator McConnell urged Democrats to pass USMCA. McConnell: I've Been Proud to Stand With Hong Kong for Decades On Wednesday, Senator McConnell delivered remarks on the Senate floor regarding Hong Kong, saying, ""Hong Kongers are continuing to speak up for the freedoms and the autonomy that Beijing has slowly tried to erode. As long as Beijing does not relent, it looks like the people of Hong Kong will not relent either. ""Preserving freedom and promoting democracy has required constant vigilance from Hong Kongers since Communist China assumed control of the region. ""I've been proud to stand with them in that effort. With my original legislation, we paved the way for cooperation between Hong Kong and the United States, codifying and strengthening economic ties and facilitating the robust exchange of ideas in support of greater democracy in the autonomous region. ""We've laid the foundation for a U.S.-Hong Kong relationship that has strengthened both their society and ours and created leverage to hold Beijing accountable...So I'm proud of the people of Hong Kong. I'm proud of the Senate's latest action to support them. And I'm proud to continue standing alongside them in their journey to true self-determination."" Read his full speech HERE. #Bluegrass120 Senator McConnellcontinues tohighlight a Kentucky county each Friday on Twitter with the hashtag: #Bluegrass120. Follow along each Friday via @McConnellPress and stay tuned for which of the 120 counties is next! Click the following images to retweet the counties highlighted recently: VisitingD.C. Every week, many Kentuckians from across the Commonwealth visitSenator McConnell'soffice in the U.S. Capitol. If you're planning a trip to Washington, D.C., please check out Senator McConnell'swebsiteand visit his office while you are in town. Also, the Senator's office has information on tours, places to visit and local restaurants to help make your trip to the nation's capital one to remember. Keeping Up With Senator McConnell Keep up with things happening in our nation's capital and Kentucky by becoming a fan of Senator McConnell'sFacebookpage and following on Instagram at@McConnellPress. Receive news updates and alerts from Senator McConnell's Press Office by following on Twitter at@McConnellPress. For a more behind-the-scenes view of the Senate Majority Leader's office, be sure to follow@SenateMajLdron Twitter and@SenateMajLdron Instagram. Get this newsletter delivered to your inbox by signing upHERE",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=0698B05F-9180-4628-B691-776600AA05FD,"All Impeachment, All The Time As Democrats Block Legislation",2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the week's business: For weeks now, Republicans have been asking Democrats to take off their impeachment blinders and let Congress legislate for the American people. We've argued that American families deserve better than this partisan paralysis where Democrats obsess over impeachment and obstruct everything else. This very morning, Speaker Pelosi gave a speech on national television to push forward her rushed and partisan impeachment process. Not one word on the outstanding legislation the American people actually need. Nothing on the USMCA, or the NDAA, or funding for our armed forces. It's all impeachment, all the time. Only in this town, only in Washington D.C., does anybody think it's okay for our armed forces to go unfunded... and a major trade deal to go unpassed... because Democrats are too busy hosting a panel of law professors to criticize President Trump on television. The Kentuckians I represent cannot believe our military commanders are being denied certainty, our men and women in uniform are being denied stable funding, and 176,000 new American jobs are being held up all because Democrat leadership thinks there's more political advantage in obstruction than in doing their jobs. Well, the servicemembers and personnel in the Kentucky National Guard, and at Fort Campbell, Fort Knox, and the Blue Grass Army Depot, aren't going to simply stop doing their jobs. They're counting on us to pass critical defense legislation that reforms housing and spousal-employment programs invests in construction, readiness, and modernization... and locks in the largest pay raise in decade. These bills touch every single state. And of course there are major national and international issues at stake as well. But Democrats are still holding the NDAA hostage for a partisan wish-list that is meant to appease trial lawyers, public-sector unions, and their own far left base. They're holding up the NDAA over unrelated, non-germane left-wing wish-list items. And meanwhile, the Speaker and the Democratic Leader are withholding their assent from important bipartisan provisions like the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which has previously passed both Houses and has been modified to resolve all concerns by the committees of jurisdiction. Unlike the Democratic Leader's rhetoric on Syria in recent weeks, this bill would actually do something to stand up for the Syrian people and hold Assad accountable. So I hope the Democratic Leader will allow this important demonstration of our support for the Syrian people to go forward. Now in the meantime, as if to underscore that Democrats' top priority is performance art for coastal elites and not the people's business, I understand the Speaker of the House spent part of this week in Madrid, talking climate change. She took an international flight to discuss carbon emissions. So the Speaker was in Spain lamenting President Trump's decision to pull us out of the Paris agreement. Maybe she pitched her conference's Green New Deal, their socialist plan to hurt our economy for American families while bigger emitters like China go roaring on by. As an aside, over the past 15 years the United States' carbon emissions have actually fallen significantly. We appear to be on track for another decline in 2019. Meanwhile, Paris Agreement signatories like China and India continue to emit more and more every year. China already emits roughly twice as much as the United States and they're increasing every year. Kentucky and many other states know exactly what happens when Washington Democrats ignore these facts and decide America needs to take on unilateral economic pain for no meaningful change in global emissions. We're still recovering from Democrats' last War on Coal. We certainly don't need Speaker Pelosi to promise the Europeans she'll start a new one. So, working Americans and their families are not well served by Democrats' political performance art. What they need are results. The only path to results is bipartisan legislation. And fortunately, it's a well-trodden one. There are 58 consecutive annual defense authorizations to prove it and there's a bipartisan, bicameral agreement that the Speaker and the Democratic Leader signed just a few months to help them find their way back to the table. I hope they do so soon.'",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=3550C913-EA95-4BA6-B14F-C1D08B666B3D,"McConnell, Rogers File Legislation for Kentucky's First National Heritage Designation",2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC -- Teaming up again to advocate for progress in Eastern Kentucky, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Congressman Hal Rogers filed companion bills on Thursday in the House and Senate to begin the federal process to designate Southern and Eastern Kentucky as the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area. The legislation comes on the heels of Eastern Kentucky PRIDE's grant award from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) earlier this year to brand the region, famously explored by Daniel Boone, as the Kentucky Wildlands. The Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area Study Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete a study to determine whether the region meets the requirements for a National Heritage Area designation. I'm proud to once again work with Congressman Rogers to tap into the great potential of Eastern and Southern Kentucky, said Senate Majority Leader McConnell. The scenic beauty of Kentucky's wilderness is a link to our Commonwealth's rich heritage and a key to our bright future. Preserving the traditions of communities throughout this region as our state's first National Heritage Area can bring both tourism and economic opportunity. I'm grateful to all those in Kentucky who are taking part in this important effort to promote Appalachia's unique culture. ""Kentucky's Appalachian region is richly blessed with a thriving wilderness that first captivated one of the nation's most prominent frontiersmen, Daniel Boone. This new designation could open the door for new tourism opportunities and additional funding to help preserve and promote our historic rugged hillsides, lakes and streams,"" said Congressman Rogers, who launched PRIDE in 1997. ""Over the last 20 years, PRIDE has led the way for environmental education and monumental cleanup events across the region. Thanks to thousands of PRIDE volunteers, our region is beautiful and inviting once again, paving the way for more visitors and tourism opportunities in the mountains."" As a National Heritage Area, the region would receive technical assistance and federal funding through a partnership with the National Park Service. ""This is an exciting opportunity for Southern and Eastern Kentucky. The designation of National Heritage Areas has proven to have an incredible economic impact directly related to tourism,"" said Tammie Nazario, President/CEO of Eastern Kentucky PRIDE. ""The National Coal Heritage area in West Virginia, for example, generated $207 million in economic impact, supported 2,744 jobs and $16.8 million in tax revenue in 2016. This designation would greatly enhance the efforts of PRIDE's current tourism marketing initiative of rebranding Southern and Eastern Kentucky as The Kentucky Wildlands."" Since 1984, 55 National Heritage Area designations have been made across the United States. The designation recognizes places where natural, cultural and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. Click here to learn more about the legislation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=AA2D6C3D-D4A0-46F6-AD90-6AF621450EDF,Mike Duncan of Kentucky Confirmed Governor of USPS,2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) commented today on the Senate confirmation of Robert M. Mike Duncan, of Inez, Kentucky, to serve as a Governor of the United States Postal Service (USPS): I'm proud to congratulate my friend Mike Duncan on his confirmation to continue serving as a Governor of the U.S. Postal Service. Mike's long career of distinguished public service in Kentucky and around the country has been marked by compassion, ingenuity and strong leadership. His colleagues on the Postal Board of Governors have recognized these traits and placed their trust in him as Chairman. I'm grateful Mike has chosen to keep lending his talents and experience to the world's largest postal organization, and I look forward to his continued accomplishments on the Board.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=0A7B9371-4DB6-43FA-81BA-2C9805FD2963,Rep. Barr Successfully Includes Equine Therapy in Veteran Suicide Prevention Bill,2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Congressman Andy Barr’s (R-KY) amendment to the IMPROVE Act was adopted on a bipartisan basis with a vote of 26-0. Rep. Barr’s amendment added equine assisted therapy, adaptive sports, and innovative approaches to the list of services which community organizations can receive grant funding to provide to veterans. The IMPROVE Act (H.R. 3495) was introduced by Rep. Jack Bergman (MI-1) and works to increase the access of services aimed at preventing veteran suicide by providing grants to community organizations that offer and coordinate suicide prevention services for veterans and their families. During his time on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Congressman Barr has championed EAT in multiple pieces of legislation. “In a time when so many veterans are so hesitant to take another prescription or fear getting addicted to opioids, equine assisted therapy gets veterans outside and allows them the amazing opportunity to work with horses to process their experiences,” said Congressman Barr. “As the Chairman of the Congressional Horse Caucus and someone who cares very deeply for our veterans, I believe increasing grant funding opportunities for evidence-based equine-assisted therapy and innovative therapies will greatly diversify the treatment options available to our veterans.” The Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (Eagala), a national equine assisted therapy organization said, “Eagala is supportive of the Barr amendment including adaptive sports, equine assisted therapy, as well as non-traditional and innovative approaches and treatment practices as VA-determined covered services in the IMPROVE Act ANS being marked up by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. It is critical that alternate therapies, like equine assisted therapy, be supported in this bill. Thousands of veterans across the country already use equine assisted therapy in their road to recovery. Be it mental health, post-traumatic stress, or physical impairments, therapies incorporating horses allows the veteran to recover in an interactive environment that suits their needs. Eagala commends Representative Barr for ensuring that equine assisted therapy is a covered service to help combat veteran suicide in the IMPROVE Act.” In addition to equine assisted therapy, Congressman Barr’s amendment would champion innovative therapies and help groups like Camp Brown Bear Veterans Camp in Franklin County that offers camps and retreats for veterans recovering from post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury. “Camp Brown Bear Veterans Camp is pleased to support Congressman Barr’s amendment to add adaptive sports and innovative therapies to the IMPROVE Act. This addition provides veterans with a variety of treatment options allowing their emotional and physical recovery.” said Steve Brown of Camp Brown Bear Veterans Camp. “The camp is a veteran owned non-profit providing traditional and non-traditional methods of therapy to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. By introducing this amendment, Congressman Barr continues to be a champion for veterans who would benefit from alternative therapy methods.” “While I am glad my amendment was adopted, the Majority’s amended version of the bill prohibits community organizations from using VA grant funding to offer critical clinical services to suicidal veterans in their time of need—preventing me from being able to support the underlying bill, which passed the Committee with zero Republican votes,” said Congressman Barr. “Should H.R. 3495 pass the full House of Representatives, I look forward to advocating for my amendment with the Senate to produce a bipartisan bill that properly supports and serves our veterans in need. Watch Congressman Barr speak about his amendment HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=852AA962-B739-44C6-B854-9B7FA9329CB6,"Rogers, McConnell File Legislation for Kentucky's First National Heritage Designation",2019-12-05,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC -- Teaming up again to advocate for progress in Eastern Kentucky, Congressman Hal Rogers and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell filed companion bills on Thursday in the House and Senate to begin the federal process to designate Southern and Eastern Kentucky as the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area. The legislation comes on the heels of Eastern Kentucky PRIDE's grant award from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) earlier this year to brand the region, famously explored by Daniel Boone, as the Kentucky Wildlands. The Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area Study Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete a study to determine whether the region meets the requirements for a National Heritage Area designation. ""Kentucky's Appalachian region is richly blessed with a thriving wilderness that first captivated one of the nation's most prominent frontiersmen, Daniel Boone. This new designation could open the door for new tourism opportunities and additional funding to help preserve and promote our historic rugged hillsides, lakes and streams,"" said Congressman Rogers, who launched PRIDE in 1997. ""Over the last 20 years, PRIDE has led the way for environmental education and monumental cleanup events across the region. Thanks to thousands of PRIDE volunteers, our region is beautiful and inviting once again, paving the way for more visitors and tourism opportunities in the mountains."" “I’m proud to once again work with Congressman Rogers to tap into the great potential of Eastern and Southern Kentucky,” said Senate Majority Leader McConnell. “The scenic beauty of Kentucky’s wilderness is a link to our Commonwealth’s rich heritage and a key to our bright future. Preserving the traditions of communities throughout this region as our state’s first National Heritage Area can bring both tourism and economic opportunity. I’m grateful to all those in Kentucky who are taking part in this important effort to promote Appalachia’s unique culture.” As a National Heritage Area, the region would receive technical assistance and federal funding through a partnership with the National Park Service. ""This is an exciting opportunity for Southern and Eastern Kentucky. The designation of National Heritage Areas has proven to have an incredible economic impact directly related to tourism,"" said Tammie Nazario, President/CEO of Eastern Kentucky PRIDE. ""The National Coal Heritage area in West Virginia, for example, generated $207 million in economic impact, supported 2,744 jobs and $16.8 million in tax revenue in 2016. This designation would greatly enhance the efforts of PRIDE's current tourism marketing initiative of rebranding Southern and Eastern Kentucky as The Kentucky Wildlands."" Since 1984, 55 National Heritage Area designations have been made across the United States. The designation recognizes places where natural, cultural and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=5DE46794-7228-48A6-BCF5-2F0076E2918A,McConnell: Lets Get Serious About Funding the Government,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding essential funding for the government: Nearly every day I've come to the floor to talk about the key pieces of legislation that we'll only be able to complete with bipartisan cooperation. Really essential things like funding for the entirety of our federal government, including for our men and women in uniform. The money for the tools and the training and the weapons that our volunteer servicemembers need to complete their missions. Things like the National Defense Authorization Act, which Congress has passed every single year, always on a bipartisan basis, for the last 58 years. This is literally the bill that re-authorizes the U.S. military. It could not be more basic or fundamental. So it's dismaying that my Democratic colleagues have seen fit to hold these basic duties hostage for the sake of picking fights with the White House. For advancing a partisan domestic agenda. It's disappointing that Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic Leader have abandoned their own written promises that they would not make our bipartisan appropriations process conditional on poison pills, policy riders, or changes to presidential transfer authorities. Even though they put that in writing, they've chosen to shoehorn partisan demands right back into this process. So, we are stalled. But today, I want to keep this very simple. The Senate's dispensation on that Hong Kong legislation proves that we can still work together when our core principles and our national interest are at stake. Of course those things are exactly what's at stake with defense funding and the NDAA. So let's get serious. At long last, let's get serious. Chairman Shelby and Chairwoman Lowey have agreed on subcommittee allocations. Chairman Inhofe and Senator Reed made strides on our bipartisan NDAA. I implore my Democratic friends stop gambling our national security on the roulette wheel of domestic politics. Stop putting political theater ahead of our troops. We all know this is a heated political moment. But domestic politics do not excuse our men and women in uniform from doing their duties. So they cannot excuse our Democratic colleagues from doing theirs. Our servicemembers need Congress to have their backs. We can only fund the government if it's bipartisan. We can only pass an NDAA if it's bipartisan. We have the roadmaps in hand. We have the same traditions that have yielded 58 bipartisan NDAAs in a row, and we have the bipartisan agreement that everyone signed just a few months ago, when Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic Leader promised in writing they wouldn't throw partisan wrenches into appropriations. Our country can't afford for Democrats to obsess over impeachment and obstruct everything else. Let's use these roadmaps. Let's get these things done.'",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=CE8F7384-A29D-4094-9081-BA776FFEB681,McConnell: Ive Been Proud to Stand With Hong Kong for Decades,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Hong Kong: On Sunday, as we Americans savored the holiday weekend and gave thanks for our liberty, the people of Hong Kong once again took to the streets to demand their own. Many waved American flags. Hong Kongers are continuing to speak up for the freedoms and the autonomy that Beijing has slowly tried to erode. As long as Beijing does not relent, it looks like the people of Hong Kong will not relent either. In local elections last week that were largely symbolic, pro-democracy candidates blew away the candidates the Chinese Communist Party would have preferred in a landslide. Not even Beijing's propagandists can credibly blame this massive display of popular revulsion at their authoritarianism on the black hand of the West. In spite of China's propaganda, the West should not stay silent as Beijing seeks to snuff out dissent in Hong Kong. Just a few days prior, the Congress and President Trump had sent our clearest signal yet that, yes, the United States of America stands with Hong Kong. The Senate unanimously passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and the president signed it into law. It delivered important updates to the original United States - Hong Kong Policy Act which I authored back in 1992. Preserving freedom and promoting democracy has required constant vigilance from Hong Kongers since Communist China assumed control of the region. I've been proud to stand with them in that effort. With my original legislation, we paved the way for cooperation between Hong Kong and the United States, codifying and strengthening economic ties and facilitating the robust exchange of ideas in support of greater democracy in the autonomous region. We've laid the foundation for a U.S.-Hong Kong relationship that has strengthened both their society and ours and created leverage to hold Beijing accountable. Back in 1992 I observed that democracy was, quote, finally gaining a tenuous foothold in Hong Kong. Recent months certainly have reminded us just how tenuous that foothold can be when an authoritarian country flexes its muscle. They have reminded us just how intent Beijing remains on exporting its oppressive surveillance state not just within mainland China but into Hong Kong and, frankly, around the world. So the unanimous Senate vote for expanded oversight and firm responses to Beijing was welcome news on the streets of Hong Kong. Not because the U.S. Senate, or international nonprofits, or anybody else is ginning up these protests, as Beijing wants people to believe. But because those speaking out for freedom recognize a friend of freedom when they see one. It's been funny, to see how invested Beijing is in these conspiracy theories that this organic protest movement is actually the work of shadowy puppeteers. Just a few days ago, the Chinese Communist Party's foreign ministry took the panicked and laughable step of sanctioning several American nonprofits and NGOs, such as the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, and the National Endowment for Democracy. Like I said, laughable. I admire the heck out of these organizations, but they aren't exactly in the business of commanding millions of people from Hong Kong to Beirut to Baghdad to Tehran to take to the streets. Here's the business they are in: Speaking up for the timeless and universal principles of basic human freedom. They help keep the torch lit. It is the brave souls around the world, who want better lives for themselves and their children, who pick up that ball and run with it for themselves. The junior-varsity tantrum that Beijing is throwing against these U.S.-based organizations is comical. It puts the Communist Party's hypersensitivity on full display. And it's the same flailing that we see from other regimes from Moscow to Tehran driven by the same aggressive authoritarian instincts that push social media propaganda, street corner surveillance, police violence, and the modern-day gulags where China is imprisoning and brutalizing the Uighur people. These are forces history never judges kindly. So I'm proud of the people of Hong Kong. I'm proud of the Senate's latest action to support them. And I'm proud to continue standing alongside them in their journey to true self-determination.'",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=61787F77-D023-4927-994B-F09935DD39E0,"Congressman Barr Commends Financial Regulators on Hemp Guidance, Urges Additional Clarification",2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Federal Reserve Board, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors issued guidance clarifying the legality of industrial hemp and the requirements for banks servicing hemp-related businesses. Congressman Barr requested this guidance from the regulators through his role as a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee. The guidance would provide clarity for financial services firms who want to work with this booming industry, but are unclear of the rules-of-the-road following the legalization of industrial hemp in 2018. The 2018 Farm Bill, which Congressman Barr supported, legalized industrial hemp and hemp-related products. Despite the legalization, many hemp-related businesses are facing challenges in accessing banking services. “I want to thank the regulators for issuing this guidance and for their responsiveness to my requests. This is an important step to help the hemp industry in Kentucky thrive, but there is still work to do.” During a House Financial Services Committee hearing today, Congressman Barr thanked the regulators for their announcement, but urged them to expand the guidance to provide legal certainty for payment processors serving hemp-related businesses. Congressman Barr has heard from constituents that uncertainty about the legality of payment processing for hemp-related businesses remains a problem facing the industry. Ensuring that hemp-related businesses in Kentucky have access to capital and can grow remains a priority for Congressman Barr. Earlier this year, Congressman Barr authored amendments to the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act (H.R. 1595) to make it easier for the hemp and CBD industries to access banking and financial services. The bill would allow banks, insurance companies, card processors and other financial services companies to serve legally-operating cannabis businesses. Congressman Barr’s provisions apply the same safe-harbors and clarifications in the broader bill explicitly to hemp and CBD businesses. The House passed that bill with Congressman Barr’s amendments in September. “Kentucky’s congressional delegation continues to be a strong advocate for the Commonwealth’s growing hemp industry,” said Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles. “One such champion is Congressman Andy Barr, who has consistently worked to get hemp businesses the clarity they need to thrive. I thank him for his using his position on the Financial Services Committee to deliver results for Kentucky.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://comer.house.gov/2019/12/congressman-comer-praises-new-usda-rule-aimed-incentivizing-workforce,CONGRESSMAN COMER PRAISES NEW USDA RULE AIMED AT INCENTIVIZING WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a final rule that promotes increased economic opportunity for Americans through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The “SNAP: Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents” rule makes commonsense changes which emphasize workforce participation for able-bodied, working-age adults between the ages of 18 and 49. The rule does not apply to children and their parents, individuals over the age of 50, and pregnant women or individuals with disabilities. States are currently allowed broad authority to waive existing requirements that able-bodied, working-age adults without dependents be employed or participate in education or workforce training. The final rule sets new, more realistic expectations about participation in the food stamp program, while setting clearer and more measurable standards that reflect current positive economic conditions. “The biggest need I hear about from Kentucky employers is for more skilled employees to fill critical gaps in our workforce,” Congressman Comer said. “In a time when the economy is strong and the unemployment rate is low, we should be empowering able-bodied, working-age adults - particularly those without children - to contribute to our economy. This new rule, along with increased support from USDA for workforce training initiatives, will be a key step in that effort.” The significant increase in SNAP recipients, even during the longest period of economic expansion in American history, reflects the need for work-centered changes to the program. In 2000, an unemployment rate of 4.0% coincided with 17 million Americans receiving food stamps. Currently, 36 million Americans are SNAP beneficiaries, even with a strong economy and a low unemployment rate of 3.6%.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=387164,Guthrie Applauds House Passage of Bill to Stop Robocalls,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Brett Guthrie,G000558,guthrie.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), a senior member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, today applauded the House passage of the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act (S. 151), a bill that will end the practice of illegal robocalls. So far this year, Kentuckians have received over 500 million robocalls. That's over 100 calls per person this year, said Guthrie in a speech on the House floor in support of the TRACED Act. Scammers have found creative ways to trick people into thinking that their calls are legitimate. These calls have wreaked havoc for private citizens, hospitals, small businesses, and everyone in between. Congressman Guthrie cosponsored the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act (H.R. 3375), which passed in the House in July. The Pallone-Thune TRACED Act is the result of negotiations between the House and the Senate to develop compromise legislation to stop robocalls. Guthrie said, I was proud to cosponsor the original House bill, the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act, and I was proud to vote in support of the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act, which will put an end to these frustrating calls. I look forward to seeing this important bill signed into law. Now that the House has passed the TRACED Act, the Senate must pass it again before it is signed into law by President Trump. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=41451C4A-ABF4-4276-BD0A-E38BE8729D73,Congress Sends Robocall Legislation on for President Trump's Signature,2019-12-04,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON -- Congressman Hal Rogers applauds passage of the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act to combat fraudulent robocalls and boost enforcement efforts against scammers. The legislation merged the Senate's TRACED Act with the House-passed Stopping Bad Robocalls Act, a bipartisan bill cosponsored by Congressman Rogers earlier this year. ""Irritating robocalls will soon be stopped before they ever reach your home or business, thanks to the TRACED Act. Countless people across southern and eastern Kentucky have told me the Do Not Call Registry list is no longer working, and they're right. Scammers have become more conniving and relentless in their efforts to defraud families and businesses, including hospitals. However, this legislation requires phone companies to use new technology to verify every call before it reaches your phone, without any extra cost to consumers,"" said Congressman Rogers. ""It also ensures law enforcement and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have the tools necessary to hold criminal robocallers accountable."" It is estimated that there were nearly 48 billion robocalls in 2018 nationwide, up over 64 percent since 2016, according to YouMail. The bill now moves on to the White House for President Trump's signature.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=384B7108-33BC-4427-A8F4-7A209E4C6644,"At McConnells Request, Federal Banking Regulatory Agencies Issue Joint Guidance to Assist Legal Hemp Industry",2019-12-03,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that at his request, four federal banking regulatory agencies Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Federal Reserve, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) joined by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors issued a guidance clarifying the legal status of hemp and the relevant requirements for banks providing financial services to hemp related businesses. Since Senator McConnell's initiative for full hemp legalization became law, he has worked on behalf of hemp farmers and stakeholders around Kentucky to impress upon the federal agencies the need to finalize the new regulatory framework implementing his hemp initiative before the 2020 growing season. Many hemp farmers and producers in Kentucky faced challenges accessing capital and other important financial products as they have explored the crop's economic opportunities, despite passage of Senator McConnell's hemp-legalization initiative in the 2018 Farm Bill. Hearing these concerns from his constituents, Senator McConnell earlier this year, was joined by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) in contacting several federal banking and financial regulatory institutions reiterating hemp's legality and requesting timely guidance and clarification to help ease concerns from lawful hemp farmers and producers about the lack of access to financial services. After the National Credit Union Administration fulfilled Senator McConnell's request to issue guidance and the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its regulatory framework, Senator McConnell followed up with the federal banking regulatory agencies in October to reiterate his request for them to issue guidance to help ease this barrier for the legal hemp industry. Today's multi-agency announcement represents continued progress as we work to ensure hemp is treated just like any other legal agricultural commodity, said Senate Majority Leader McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Even after President Trump signed my initiative in last year's farm bill to fully legalize hemp and remove it from the list of federally controlled substances, I heard from hemp producers around Kentucky about their ongoing challenges, including the lack of access to the financial system. I'm proud federal banking regulators agreed to my request to issue new guidance that affirms hemp's legality. I look forward to more Kentucky producers having the ability to grow their hemp businesses with the help of the Commonwealth's financial institutions. Once again, Senator McConnell showed why he is an indispensable voice for Kentucky in Washington, said Kentucky Bankers Association President and CEO Ballard W. Cassady, Jr. By affirming hemp's status as a legal commodity, this federal guidance can provide much-needed clarity and reassurance to Kentucky banks exploring opportunities in our state's growing hemp industry. For years, Senator McConnell has championed the cause of hemp, helping overcome numerous challenges at the federal level so Kentuckians are able to take full advantage of this exciting crop. Without the Senate Majority Leader throwing his weight behind this Kentucky priority, we might never have gotten it done. Kentucky has been at the forefront of hemp production since the authorization of industrial hemp pilot programs established by Senator McConnell's provision in the 2014 Farm Bill. Agriculture leaders from around the country are looking to the Bluegrass State's hemp industry as the crop is now grown in 101 of 120 counties.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/news-dr-rand-paul-introduces-helper-act-reduce-student-loan-debt-and-increase-retirement-savings/,Dr. Rand Paul Introduces HELPER Act to Reduce Student Loan Debt and Increase Retirement Savings,2019-12-03,2019,2019-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 3, 2019 Contact: Press@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced S. 2962, the Higher Education Loan Payment and Enhanced Retirement (HELPER) Act, a pro-taxpayer plan to help Americans more quickly and easily pay off their student loan debt and save more money for retirement. “Instead of empowering the federal government to increase its involvement in education, which will only raise costs even higher and further lower the value of our dollars to cover them, we can empower the American people to reduce the burden of debt, realize the dreams they studied hard to achieve, and grow their retirement savings,” said Dr. Paul. As U.S. student loan debt hits its highest-ever levels, Dr. Paul’s HELPER Act would allow Americans to annually take up to $5,250 from a 401(k) or IRA — tax and penalty free — to pay for college or pay back student loans. These funds could also be used to pay tuition and expenses for a spouse or dependent. The plan would enable two parents and a child, for example, to put over $15,000 in pre-tax funds in one year toward tuition or loan repayment if each set aside the maximum. Currently, Americans can only pay for their student loans with after-tax money, placing an unnecessary constraint on their budget. The bill would also allow employer-sponsored student loan and tuition payment plans to be tax free up to $5,250, and it would repeal the cap (and the phasing out) on deducting student loan interest, as student loans do not disappear when someone earns more money throughout their career. To help give Americans the opportunity to save as much as possible for retirement, Dr. Paul’s HELPER Act would also offer workers the choice to have an employer contribution to a 401(k) count as a Roth contribution. While current law defers the taxes on employer contributions, forcing Americans to pay taxes on the funds and its gains in retirement, this change would allow workers to pay the taxes right away, freeing their savings to grow tax free and giving them greater financial security after they retire. Although individuals can set up 401(k) or IRA plans on their own, and would be able to take advantage of the bill’s reforms to use pre-tax dollars to pay down their student debt, passing the HELPER Act will encourage more employers to offer 401(k)s or education benefit plans if they do not currently do so, as more workers will be able and incentivized to use such plans.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/dr-rand-paul-introduces-helper-act-reduce-student-loan-debt-and-increase-retirement-savings,Dr. Rand Paul Introduces HELPER Act to Reduce Student Loan Debt and Increase Retirement Savings,2019-12-03,2019,2019-12,Republican,House,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 3, 2019 Contact: Press@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced S. 2962, the Higher Education Loan Payment and Enhanced Retirement (HELPER) Act, a pro-taxpayer plan to help Americans more quickly and easily pay off their student loan debt and save more money for retirement. Instead of empowering the federal government to increase its involvement in education, which will only raise costs even higher and further lower the value of our dollars to cover them, we can empower the American people to reduce the burden of debt, realize the dreams they studied hard to achieve, and grow their retirement savings, said Dr. Paul. As U.S. student loan debt hits its highest-ever levels, Dr. Paul's HELPER Act would allow Americans to annually take up to $5,250 from a 401(k) or IRA tax and penalty free to pay for college or pay back student loans. These funds could also be used to pay tuition and expenses for a spouse or dependent. The plan would enable two parents and a child, for example, to put over $15,000 in pre-tax funds in one year toward tuition or loan repayment if each set aside the maximum. Currently, Americans can only pay for their student loans with after-tax money, placing an unnecessary constraint on their budget. The bill would also allow employer-sponsored student loan and tuition payment plans to be tax free up to $5,250, and it would repeal the cap (and the phasing out) on deducting student loan interest, as student loans do not disappear when someone earns more money throughout their career. To help give Americans the opportunity to save as much as possible for retirement, Dr. Paul's HELPER Act would also offer workers the choice to have an employer contribution to a 401(k) count as a Roth contribution. While current law defers the taxes on employer contributions, forcing Americans to pay taxes on the funds and its gains in retirement, this change would allow workers to pay the taxes right away, freeing their savings to grow tax free and giving them greater financial security after they retire. Although individuals can set up 401(k) or IRA plans on their own, and would be able to take advantage of the bill's reforms to use pre-tax dollars to pay down their student debt, passing the HELPER Act will encourage more employers to offer 401(k)s or education benefit plans if they do not currently do so, as more workers will be able and incentivized to use such plans. You can read S. 2962 below, and you can find more details in a one-pager HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/news-dr-rand-paul-reintroduces-bill-prioritize-smaller-harbors-0/,Dr. Rand Paul Reintroduces Bill to Prioritize Smaller Harbors,2019-11-26,2019,2019-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 26, 2019 Contact: Press@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senator Rand Paul reintroduced the Harbor Equity Act (S. 2923), which modifies the existing criteria used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge smaller harbors. Currently, the Corps prioritizes dredging solely for larger harbors that see 1 million or more tons in traffic per year – often forcing small community harbors to fund their own dredging or be forced to shut down operations. This legislation drops the minimum tonnage requirements to 500,000 tons, prioritizing smaller harbors for dredging. Our inland waterways are crucial to the economic success of a wide variety of industries, including coal, steel, agriculture, and manufacturing. Dr. Paul’s reintroduction of the Harbor Equity Act is a continuation of his commitment to ensuring our waterways remain a vital part of our country’s infrastructure and a source of economic growth for Kentucky communities. “Maintaining America’s robust inland waterway system means properly caring for harbors of all sizes, as the system’s interconnectedness requires dredging smaller connecting harbors to ensure goods are efficiently transported,” said Dr. Paul. “The Corps’ current system prioritizes dredging for larger harbors, hindering economic growth and threatening the future of smaller harbors. These smaller ports are the backbone of local commerce in communities along our waterways, which is why I’m proud to reintroduce my bill to ensure they are considered for the Corps’ dredging efforts and to help protect them from facing potentially devastating shutdowns.” You can read S. 2923, the Harbor Equity Act, below:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:43:09Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/dr-rand-paul-reintroduces-bill-prioritize-smaller-harbors-0,Dr. Rand Paul Reintroduces Bill to Prioritize Smaller Harbors,2019-11-26,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 26, 2019 Contact: Press@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. Last week, U.S. Senator Rand Paul reintroduced the Harbor Equity Act (S. 2923), which modifies the existing criteria used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge smaller harbors. Currently, the Corps prioritizes dredging solely for larger harbors that see 1 million or more tons in traffic per year often forcing small community harbors to fund their own dredging or be forced to shut down operations. This legislation drops the minimum tonnage requirements to 500,000 tons, prioritizing smaller harbors for dredging. Our inland waterways are crucial to the economic success of a wide variety of industries, including coal, steel, agriculture, and manufacturing. Dr. Paul's reintroduction of the Harbor Equity Act is a continuation of his commitment to ensuring our waterways remain a vital part of our country's infrastructure and a source of economic growth for Kentucky communities. Maintaining America's robust inland waterway system means properly caring for harbors of all sizes, as the system's interconnectedness requires dredging smaller connecting harbors to ensure goods are efficiently transported, said Dr. Paul. ""The Corps' current system prioritizes dredging for larger harbors, hindering economic growth and threatening the future of smaller harbors. These smaller ports are the backbone of local commerce in communities along our waterways, which is why I'm proud to reintroduce my bill to ensure they are considered for the Corps' dredging efforts and to help protect them from facing potentially devastating shutdowns. You can read S. 2923, the Harbor Equity Act, below:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=11EB6DF6-CC8B-41B9-9BF3-C4850AC09743,Senator McConnell and Drug Czar Join Kentucky Leaders to Open Volunteers of America Center in Clay County,2019-11-25,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MANCHESTER, KYU.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) joined the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Jim Carroll, commonly known as the Drug Czar, and other federal and state officials today in Manchester, Kentucky for the grand opening of a Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) center focused on serving women and children suffering the effects of the opioid and substance abuse epidemic. Senator McConnell and Director Carroll praised the leadership of VOA's president and CEO, Jennifer Hancock, for her dynamic and strong leadership across Kentucky. VOA operates multiple centers throughout the Commonwealth serving women and children as well as our nation's veterans. The new facility in Clay County will provide residential services to mothers and their children as they work toward long-term recovery from substance abuse. As Kentucky continues to endure the unfortunate consequences of opioid and substance abuse, we are reinvesting in comprehensive treatment strategies, said Senator McConnell. I'm grateful to Director Carroll for recognizing, once again, the innovative leadership right here in our Commonwealth, and I'm glad to have his partnership as we address this national crisis. As Senate Majority Leader, I'm committed to supporting the life-saving work of Volunteers of America by championing comprehensive legislation and securing unprecedented levels of federal funding for Kentucky. As we continue to bolster our prevention, treatment, and enforcement efforts, we can make important strides to stopping the tragedy of addiction from inflicting pain on more Kentucky communities. It was a pleasure to be in Kentucky today to see the incredible work being done to get more people struggling with addiction the help they need, said ONDCP Director Carroll. The Trump Administration, and all Americans, are fortunate to have great partners like Senator McConnell who choose to devote their time and energy to reversing the pattern of addiction and creating safer communities. Because of the leadership of Senator McConnell and the efforts underway on the front lines across the commonwealth, Kentucky has made progress in accomplishing our ultimate goal: reducing the number of people dying from drug overdoses. Jennifer Hancock, President & CEO, Volunteers of America Mid-States, said, We are so grateful for Leader McConnell's leadership on this vital issue and his support for our work. We consider our expansion in Southeastern Kentucky so much more than a group of projects. It's a movement that shows VOA's long-term commitment to fundamental change. Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, said, I appreciate the immense positive impact that Senator McConnells policies and efforts have had on the Commonwealth of Kentucky. But I am most thankful for his partnership in helping combat the scourge of opioids in Eastern Kentucky. This center from Volunteers of America, based in my hometown of Manchester, will have an invaluable and lasting impact on our region by ensuring that mothers struggling with addiction can get clean, deliver healthy babies, and protect our future generations. Background: Since becoming Majority Leader in 2015, Senator McConnell has prioritized federal resources to fight the opioid and substance abuse epidemic by increasing federal funding for the response. Under McConnell's leadership, Kentucky has received more than $240 million to help fight the epidemic. Senator McConnell recently worked with the University of Kentucky to help secure an $87 million federal competitive grant to address the opioid crisis in high-risk communities. He has also helped secure inclusion of some of Kentucky's hardest-hit counties in the Office of National Drug Control Policy's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program to promote coordination and support for law enforcement in Kentucky. Senator McConnell regularly draws attention to Kentucky's prevention, treatment and enforcement efforts with the President's Cabinet and federal agencies. At his request, multiple Drug Czars have visited Kentucky to see the innovative work being done in the Commonwealth. Earlier this year, at Senator McConnell's invitation, Director Carroll joined the Senator for visits to Louisville and Northern Kentucky Last year, President Trump signed into law the landmark opioid and substance abuse bill Senator McConnell helped shepherd to enactment. The measure included the Senator's CAREER Act, which recognizes that steady employment and safe housing are critical to long-term recovery. The President also signed into law the Senator's Protecting Moms and Infants Act, which authorized an increase in federal funding to help babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/news-dr-rand-paul-releases-fall-2019-edition-waste-report/,Dr. Rand Paul Releases Fall 2019 Edition of ‘The Waste Report’,2019-11-25,2019,2019-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 25, 2019 Contact: Press@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), chairman of the Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management (FSO) Subcommittee for the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), continued his efforts to stop runaway spending and reduce a skyrocketing debt by releasing a special Fall 2019 edition of The Waste Report. Once again, The Waste Report takes a closer look at just some of what the federal government is doing with the American people’s hard-earned money, this time including stories of it continuing to turn over so many taxpayer dollars to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, funding research that involves hooking Zebrafish on nicotine, buying textbooks for Afghan students that are subpar or sitting in warehouses, and more in a list that totals over $230 million.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:43:09Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/dr-rand-paul-releases-fall-2019-edition-%E2%80%98-waste-report%E2%80%99,Dr. Rand Paul Releases Fall 2019 Edition of ‘The Waste Report’,2019-11-25,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 25, 2019 Contact: Press@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY),chairman of the Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management (FSO)Subcommitteefor the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), continued his efforts to stop runaway spending and reduce a skyrocketing debt by releasing a special Fall 2019 edition of The Waste Report. Once again, The Waste Report takes a closer look at just some of what the federal government is doing with the American people's hard-earned money, this time including stories of it continuing to turn over so many taxpayer dollars to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, funding research that involves hooking Zebrafish on nicotine, buying textbooks for Afghan students that are subpar or sitting in warehouses, and more in a list that totals over $230 million. You can find Dr. Paul's Fall 2019 edition of The Waste ReportHERE or below:",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/newsletters?ContentRecord_id=5FBC3C62-4594-492C-B3E1-96430A409FAE,"U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells eNewsletter - - Week of November 18, 2019",2019-11-22,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's eNewsletter - - Week of November 18, 2019 Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Named 'Distinguished Rural Kentuckian' On Monday, the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives presented U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell with its highest honor, the Distinguished Rural Kentuckian Award, at their annual meeting. Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives said: Senator McConnell is a champion for rural Kentucky. Time and time again, he has been there for co-ops when it matters most. And, what's striking is how responsive he is to the issues of rural Kentucky and America. The Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, which serve 1.5 million Kentuckians in 117 of 120 counties, specifically mentioned Senator McConnell's successful work on Kentucky priorities including, major tax reform, regulatory relief, infrastructure, and rural broadband. Click the image below to view the video tribute by the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Senator McConnell Cosponsors Bill to Combat Spread of Deadly Fentanyl in Kentucky U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell cosponsored legislation this week that would permanently list all types of fentanyl-like substances (analogues), as Schedule 1 narcotics. Fentanyl -- a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin -- continues to be the most lethal drug for Kentucky, killing 786 Kentuckians last year alone. Fentanyl analogues are created by slightly modifying the chemical structure of fentanyl, which drug traffickers use to escape scrutiny by law enforcement. The Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues (SOFA) Act will give law enforcement additional tools needed to continue to fight the addiction epidemic in the Commonwealth. 'Fentanyl and its variations are fueling the deadly drug epidemic, particularly here in Kentucky. While the Commonwealth saw a decrease in the number of overdose fatalities last year, we must not lose our focus on giving law enforcement every tool possible to combat this crisis, said Senator McConnell. Fentanyl has wrought pain and devastation on families throughout Kentucky, and our Commonwealth is leading the fight to get it off the streets, said Van Ingram, the executive director of the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. Kentucky is a great example of the benefits of federal and state partnerships in the response to opioid and substance abuse. Our law enforcement officers need all the support we can provide as they bravely protect our communities and promote recovery from addiction. The constant support Senator McConnell has shown to Kentucky's law enforcement is a key factor to keeping communities safe and our officers out of harm, said Clark County Sheriff Berl Perdue, Jr., President of the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police. I'm grateful the Senate Majority Leader is cosponsoring legislation to keep dangerous fentanyl substances out of Kentucky, and the results he delivers are saving lives in our state. TARC receives $17.3 Million Federal Transportation Grant On Wednesday, Senator McConnell announcedthe Transit Authority of River City (TARC) was awarded a nearly $17.3 million competitive federal grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Among other initiatives, TARC plans to use the federal funding to replace Louisville's aging public buses with a new, fuel-efficient fleet. Senator McConnell contacted the FTA in support of his constituents' federal grant application and TARC's mission to provide safe and cost-effective transportation to more than 12.5 million passengers annually in the greater Louisville region. According to TARC, the vast majority of its riders are heading to work or school, and these federal resources will help them and the region's continued economic growth. Working with TARC, I was proud to help deliver this major federal grant award directly benefiting thousands of Kentucky families, said Senator McConnell. The aging TARC buses put an excessive strain on the city and the tens of thousands of Kentuckians who ride it every day. With an advanced fleet of safe, fuel-efficient and cost-effective buses, TARC will be in a better position than ever to help its riders reach their destinations. Louisville is a thriving city, and as Senate Majority Leader, I'm happy to continue supporting new investments like this one for its bright future. The Transit Authority of River City is incredibly grateful for the support of Senator McConnell and his role in securing this $17.3 million award from the FTA, said Ferdinand L. Risco Jr., TARC Executive Director. This substantial investment will allow TARC to upgrade its fleet of 227 buses, improving our ability to provide reliable, efficient service while expanding our impact on the workforce and economic development of the Greater Louisville region. For Kentuckiansinterested in applying for a competitive federal grant, please contact Senator McConnell's office for assistance by clickingHERE. Majority Leader McConnell Unveils New National Wildlife Refuge in Kentucky On Friday, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, along with U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials, and their counterparts from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, announced the establishment of the Green River National Wildlife Refuge near the confluence of the Ohio and Green rivers in Henderson, Kentucky. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell personally discussed the importance of the Green River National Wildlife Refuge with Secretary Bernhardt and secured a legislative measure directing the Department of the Interior to establish the new refuge in Henderson. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Majority Leader McConnell shepherded his measure to passage and into law. Kentucky has been blessed with many gorgeous lands and pristine waters. The establishment of the Green River National Wildlife Refuge will preserve our natural resources for future generations of sportsmen and tourists to enjoy, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Like the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, the other federal wildlife refuge I helped establish in Kentucky, this widely popular habitat can draw outdoor enthusiasts and encourage growth in the local economy. I was proud to attract national attention to this Kentucky priority as Senate Majority Leader, bringing together Henderson's leaders and the Trump administration, especially Secretary Bernhardt, to implement my legislation authorizing this refuge. Together, we're protecting these lands for future recreation and enjoyment and fulfilling our responsibility as stewards of Kentucky's natural treasures. Read more about the unveiling of the new wildlife refuge: http://bit.ly/35qcrva Leader McConnell Discusses Tobacco 21 Legislation, Hemp and CBD with FDA Commissioner Nominee On Wednesday, Majority Leader Mitch McConnellmet with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner nominee, Dr. Stephen Hahn,in his office in the U.S. Capitol. During the meeting, Senator McConnell discussed his legislation to raise the nationwide tobacco purchasing age to 21 as well as the significance of hemp production in Kentucky. Senator McConnell informed Dr. Hahn of the importance of his Tobacco-Free Youth Act, which can address the current vaping epidemic by helping keep dangerous nicotine products out of hands of adolescents. Senator McConnell also discussed the positive impact the legalization of hemp is having in Kentucky. He also reminded Dr. Hahn of some of the ongoing challenges -- such as the need for a regulatory framework for CBD -- he hears about from hemp farmers, processors and manufacturers in the state. I look forward to working closely with Dr. Hahn on several important issues for Kentucky, said Senator McConnell. As Senate Majority Leader, I consistently work with my colleagues in the Trump administration to advance Kentucky's priorities. Like many Kentuckians who are taking advantage of hemp's legalization, I am eager for FDA's plans to create certainty for CBD products. Dr. Hahn and I also discussed my legislation to help keep dangerous nicotine productsincluding vaping devicesout of our children's hands. Leader McConnell Meets with Secretary of Energy Nominee Majority LeaderMcConnellreleased the following statement aftermeeting on Wednesday with President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Energy, Dan Brouillette: I was glad to meet today with Deputy Secretary Brouillette to discuss his nomination to lead the Department of Energy, the administration's ongoing efforts to secure American energy dominance, and the work of Kentuckians to produce affordable domestic energy. In particular, we discussed future funding and support for the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion plant and Kentucky's important role in cutting-edge clean coal and carbon sequestration research. Majority Leader McConnell welcomed to his office in the U.S. Capitol the president's nominee for Secretary of Energy. American Families, Job Creators Waiting on Speaker Pelosi to Allow USMCA Vote On Wednesday, Senator McConnell delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging House Democrats to pass the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada trade agreement (USMCA), saying, ""One of the major priorities that Kentuckians mention is the USMCA. I've heard it from our farmers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and bourbon distillers. Almost every sector of our economy would benefit from this trade dealHouse Democrats have preferred to block 176,000 new jobs for American workers rather than put impeachment aside and get along with the White House for five minutes. It appears there is no governing priority no matter how bipartisan, no matter how beneficial to American families that will not take a backseat to impeachment."" Read his full remarks here: https://bit.ly/2O4isYv McConnell Celebrates Passage of Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act Also on Wednesday, Senator McConnell delivered remarks on the Senate floor regarding unanimous Senate support for the people of Hong Kong, saying, ""I was proud to speak out on this back in the summer when the protests began. I was proud to secure important policy steps for Hong Kong in the State and Foreign Ops Subcommittee back in September. And I am proud that senators approved these further steps to update that original law to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy and democracy and provide more tools for holding Beijing accountable."" Read his full remarks here: https://bit.ly/2D1sFPd McConnell Recognizes Kentucky Family as Angels in Adoption' Photo courtesy of the Thomas family. Children L-R: Henry, Ned, Rowan, and Burke Senator McConnell welcomed parents, Angie and Chris Thomas, to his Leadership Office in the United States Capitol. Recently, Senator McConnell welcomed Chris and Angie Thomas, of Louisville, Kentucky to the U.S. Capitol to congratulate them on being recognized as 2019 Angels in Adoption. Senator McConnell recommended the Thomas family for the honor. Chris and Angie were matched with their son, Rowan, from Ethiopia in 2016. Unfortunately, the Ethiopian government imposed an indefinite suspension of adoptions preventing the Thomas family from bringing their son home. Senator McConnell stepped in to help the Thomas family as well as a number of other Kentucky families experiencing this same obstacle in their adoption process. On behalf of his constituents, Senator McConnell contacted Ethiopia's Ambassador to the United States and the Ethiopian Prime Minister urging a resolution. With his help, along with pressure from Congress and the U.S. State Department, the Thomas family was finally able to bring its newest member to Kentucky in August 2017. Chris and Angie Thomas worked for years to grow their family through adoption, and it was a real pleasure to be able to help, said Senate Majority Leader McConnell. This family's story is one of inspiring persistence, and I was proud to nominate them to be Angels in Adoption and present them with their award. One of my greatest privileges representing Kentucky in the Senate is helping families in need, and I'm glad the Thomas family is receiving this well-deserved recognition. When the Ethiopian government suspended international adoptions, we had already been in the process for seven years. Chris and I were heartbroken at the thought of not being able to bring our son, Rowan, home, Angie Thomas said. We reached out to Senator McConnell in 2017, and he became our champion when we needed it most. He put pressure on Ethiopian leaders, and they agreed to complete our adoption as well as other families already in the process. We are incredibly thankful to Senator McConnell for his support in helping us unite our family and bring our son to Kentucky. Angels in Adoption is a public awareness campaign by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Each year, Members of Congress can nominate constituents who are helping to improve the lives of children in need of families. For Kentucky families who may also need assistance with international adoption, please contact the Senator's office in Louisville at (502) 582-6304 or online: https://sen.gov/R4W4 VisitingD.C. Every week, many Kentuckians from across the Commonwealth visitSenator McConnell'soffice in the U.S. Capitol. If you're planning a trip to Washington, D.C., please check out Senator McConnell'swebsiteand visit his office while you are in town. Also, the Senator's office has information on tours, places to visit and local restaurants to help make your trip to the nation's capital one to remember. Keeping Up With Senator McConnell Keep up with things happening in our nation's capital and Kentucky by becoming a fan of Senator McConnell'sFacebookpage and following on Instagram at@McConnellPress. Receive news updates and alerts from Senator McConnell's Press Office by following on Twitter at@McConnellPress. For a more behind-the-scenes view of the Senate Majority Leader's office, be sure to follow@SenateMajLdron Twitter and@SenateMajLdron Instagram. Get this newsletter delivered to your inbox by signing upHERE",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=29794BF4-19A5-4DA1-A82F-7CF52A227EE8,Majority Leader McConnell & Sec. Bernhardt Unveil New National Wildlife Refuge in Kentucky,2019-11-22,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Photo: U.S. Departmentof the Interior establishes Green River National Wildlife Refuge in Henderson, Kentucky (photo credit, DOI PhotographerTami Heilemann) Henderson, Kentucky Friday, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, along with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials, and their counterparts from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, announced the establishment of the Green River National Wildlife Refuge near the confluence of the Ohio and Green rivers in Henderson, Kentucky. Under President Donald Trump's leadership, the Department of the Interior has opened and expanded nearly 1.7 million acres of land, and today we're thrilled to add Green River National Wildlife Refuge to the list, said Secretary Bernhardt. This is not just great news for our outdoor recreationists, but also for the wildlife that will benefit from this conservation effort. Thanks to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's dedication that led to establishing this spectacular refuge in Western Kentucky. Kentucky has been blessed with many gorgeous lands and pristine waters. The establishment of the Green River National Wildlife Refuge will preserve our natural resources for future generations of sportsmen and tourists to enjoy, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Like the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, the other federal wildlife refuge I helped establish in Kentucky, this widely popular habitat can draw outdoor enthusiasts and encourage growth in the local economy. I was proud to attract national attention to this Kentucky priority as Senate Majority Leader, bringing together Henderson's leaders and the Trump administration, especially Secretary Bernhardt, to implement my legislation authorizing this refuge. Together, we're protecting these lands for future recreation and enjoyment and fulfilling our responsibility as stewards of Kentucky's natural treasures. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell personally discussed the importance of the Green River National Wildlife Refuge with Secretary Bernhardt and secured a legislative measure directing the Department of the Interior to establish the new refuge in Henderson. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Majority Leader McConnell shepherded his measure to passage and into law. The refuge was established today with the acquisition of the first tract, a 10-acre parcel donated by the Southern Conservation Corp. The establishment makes it the 568th refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The 10 acres are the first of what the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to be a 24,000-acre refuge. The ceremony capped years of planning to open a new refuge in Kentucky. The new refuge is about 130 miles west of Louisville, close to the Kentucky-Indiana border. Along with Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, it is one of only two refuges located fully in Kentucky. The Green River National Wildlife Refuge is an important and valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, said Service Principal Deputy Director Margaret Everson. The refuge will welcome anglers, hunters, birders and outdoor enthusiasts who want to enjoy the bounty of Western Kentucky. The refuge has enjoyed widespread support. At an informational meeting earlier this year, the public turned out to give the then-proposed Green River National Wildlife Refuge an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Local landowners, conservation groups, and state and federal agencies have advocated for its creation. Kentucky has long been a sightseeing destination for its natural beauty, from the Appalachian Mountains to our beautiful lakes and forests. This new National Wildlife Refuge in Henderson one of only two refuges located fully in Kentucky is the product of years of dedication and planning to advance wildlife interests, promote educational awareness and designate an area that outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy. I thank U.S. Secretary of the Interior Bernhardt and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for their commitment to this project, and I'm eager to see the benefits the Green River National Wildlife Refuge will provide regionally for students, visitors and recreationists, said Congressman James Comer (KY-01) The refuge will also be an outdoor classroom, where youngsters have a chance to wander the forests, marvel at creatures that fly, swim and crawl, and feel a part of the natural world. The refuge helps protect and manage wetlands and bottomland forest. It helps connect natural corridors that allow wildlife to move freely. Migrating waterfowl stop here, too. Providing the 10-acre land donation is a unique opportunity for us, noted Southern Conservation Corp. Executive Director Jeff Jones. We have helped a variety of partners in Kentucky secure important conservation lands for fish and wildlife, environmental education, and public use, but establishing a new national wildlife refuge doesn't happen every day. This donation is special to us for that reason. Hopefully, the refuge will build quickly and provide important conservation and public use benefits. Over the past 15 years, Southern Conservation Corp. has partnered with the Service on numerous land protection and species conservation efforts in Kentucky. This new wildlife refuge is a wonderful opportunity for outdoors men and women in Kentucky, and we appreciate Secretary Bernhardt's leadership and forethought on helping continue the conservation legacy, said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. Ducks Unlimited has helped conserve and improve habitat since 1937, and just like habitat improvement is built one acre at a time, the conservation legacy is built on the foundation of education. The new Green River National Wildlife Refuge will ensure conservation education starts early with our next generation of conservationists. ""The National Wild Turkey Federation applauds the establishment of this new refuge in western Kentucky as this region of the state provides diverse habitats for fish and wildlife,"" said National Wild Turkey Federation CEO Becky Humphries. ""We look forward to the refuge's future growth as it will also provide outdoor recreation and educational opportunities for generations to come."" The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) applauds Secretary Bernhardt for supporting the establishment of the Green River National Wildlife Refuge, said Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation President Jeff Crane. The National Wildlife Refuge System, which allows hunting on more than 370 refuges and fishing on more than 270 refuges, provides crucial access to the outdoors for sportsmen and women. The new refuge will likely offer a variety of hunting and fishing opportunities, and we are grateful that the Department continues to prioritize public access for hunters and anglers. Green River National Wildlife Refuge is part of a 53,000-acre expanse called a Conservation Partnership Area. Within that boundary, the Service will acquire land for the refuge by buying easements and fee-title ownership from willing sellers. ### The National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is an unparalleled network of 568 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts. There is a national wildlife refuge within an hour's drive of most major metropolitan areas. Refuges offer world-class public recreation, from fishing, hunting and wildlife observation to photography and environmental education. More than 55 million people visit refuges every year, creating lasting economic benefits for local communities.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=6BD4C5E8-DC7E-4536-88CF-5746FF05EEB2,"Democrats Blocking Bipartisan Defense, Trade Legislation",2019-11-21,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): Washington D.C. and the cable news channels have spent this week fixating on House Democrats' impeachment hearings. A few months ago, Speaker Pelosi was saying she was not for impeachment' unless it was bipartisan.' But even after the resolution codifying House Democrats' unfair process received no Republican votes, the House has plowed ahead anyway, searching for a way to arrive at the outcome that many Democrats predetermined years ago. Meanwhile, the American people are still waiting for Washington Democrats to stop blocking crucial bipartisan legislation. I spoke yesterday about the USMCA, the landmark trade deal that experts say would create 176,000 American jobs. For nine months, Speaker Pelosi has told the press every couple of weeks that she'll allow a vote soon. Last winter, she was optimistic.' Over the summer: We want to pass this bill.' This autumn: Becoming closer.' And a couple of weeks ago: I think we are close.' We've had months of this stalling. Now we are one week out from Thanksgiving and there is still no tangible sign of progress from the House. If the House cannot pass the USMCA this year, there is no way they'll be able to claim the people's business has not taken a backseat to impeachment. The USMCA isn't the only important legislation that Democrats are holding up. As if neglecting the first major update to North American trade policy in a generation weren't enough, they're also on track to break a nearly 60-year tradition of passing a bipartisan defense authorization bill. Passing the NDAA is one of Congress's most basic governing responsibilities. It authorizes and assures oversight of the ongoing missions of our armed forces and the resources the Department of Defense needs to carry them out. Every year since 1961, these goals have been enough to get members across the ideological spectrum to come together and deliver a comprehensive, bipartisan piece of legislation. But not this year, at least not yet. House Democrats are so intent on picking fights with the White House that they decided to play partisan games with our armed forces. They passed a fully party-line NDAA. Not one Republican vote for their House version on the floor. I believe it's the first time ever that either chamber has passed a purely partisan NDAA. The House, on a partisan basis, also included many provisions that aren't even in the jurisdiction of their Armed Services Committee. Even in conference, House Democrats are holding germane provisions hostage in order to secure partisan, non-germane provisions that have nothing to do with our national security. Their demands to treat the NDAA like a gift basket to liberal interest groups is imperiling the passage of this important legislation. We're talking about demands like a new taxpayer-funded benefit for all federal employees and burdening farmers, ranchers, small businesses, local airports, and community water utilities with expensive new environmental liabilities. All kinds of domestic policy changes that were not in the Senate's bipartisan version and have no business bringing this crucial process to a halt. The Senate did things the right way. We passed a bipartisan NDAA, back in June, just like we do every year. That's a credit to Chairman Inhofe, Senator Reed, and the rest of the Senate Armed Services Committee. It was a thoroughly bipartisan product, debated in the open. But House Democrats went off the rails. The House Rules Committee allowed floor debate on only a single substantive Republican amendment while they jammed through their own partisan priorities. They passed their totally partisan NDAA with zero Republican votes. And now they are risking the entire conference committee to insist that those partisan demands wind up in the end product. Enough's enough. The USMCA and the NDAA could not be clearer examples of bipartisan legislation that would make our country stronger. Our Democratic friends say they want to do more than just impeach. They say they came to Washington D.C. to do more than pick fights with the president. In the next days and weeks, we'll find out if they mean it.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=DC4E20A3-CAB2-44B3-99A8-2945412EC337,Senator McConnell Cosponsors Bill to Combat Spread of Deadly Fentanyl in Kentucky,2019-11-21,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) cosponsored legislation today that would permanently list all types of fentanyl-like substances (analogues), as Schedule 1 narcotics. Fentanyl -- a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin -- continues to be the most lethal drug for Kentucky, killing 786 Kentuckians last year alone. Fentanyl analogues are created by slightly modifying the chemical structure of fentanyl, which drug traffickers use to escape scrutiny by law enforcement. The Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues (SOFA) Act will give law enforcement additional tools needed to continue to fight the addiction epidemic in the Commonwealth. Fentanyl and its variations are fueling the deadly drug epidemic, particularly here in Kentucky, said Senator McConnell. While the Commonwealth saw a decrease in the number of overdose fatalities last year, we must not lose our focus on giving law enforcement every tool possible to combat this crisis. With the ability to quickly designate fentanyl-like substances as Schedule I narcotics, the DEA can respond to new threats in real time and help keep our families and communities safe. Fentanyl has wrought pain and devastation on families throughout Kentucky, and our Commonwealth is leading the fight to get it off the streets, said Van Ingram, the executive director of the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. Kentucky is a great example of the benefits of federal and state partnerships in the response to opioid and substance abuse. Our law enforcement officers need all the support we can provide as they bravely protect our communities and promote recovery from addiction. The constant support Senator McConnell has shown to Kentucky's law enforcement is a key factor to keeping communities safe and our officers out of harm, said Clark County Sheriff Berl Perdue, Jr., President of the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police. I'm grateful the Senate Majority Leader is cosponsoring legislation to keep dangerous fentanyl substances out of Kentucky, and the results he delivers are saving lives in our state. The Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues Act was introduced by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and in addition to Senator McConnell -- is cosponsored by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Joni Ernst (R-IA). ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=387162,Guthrie Rural Telecom Security Bill Advances in Committee,2019-11-21,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Brett Guthrie,G000558,guthrie.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02)'s bill, the Secure and Trusted Communications Act (H.R. 4998), was approved yesterday by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in a full committee markup. Congressman Guthrie introduced the bipartisan Secure and Trusted Communications Act along with Reps. Greg Walden (OR-02), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), and Doris Matsui (CA-06) to protect small and rural communications providers from security threats. In our increasingly digital world, Kentuckians need access to secure wireless networks, said Guthrie. Unfortunately, the integrity of our telecommunications networks could be at risk from equipment sourced from bad actors or foreign adversaries. This bill will help small and rural wireless providers root-out and replace this equipment. The Secure and Trusted Communications Act will protect Kentuckians from foreign digital threats. In addition to the Secure and Trusted Communications Act, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved several additional bills to improve broadband access, including the Mapping Accuracy Promotes Service (MAPS) Act (H.R. 4227) to create an accurate map of areas that are not receiving broadband service. The committee also approved two maternal health bills: The Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services (Helping MOMS) Act (H.R. 4996), which will improve health coverage for pregnant and postpartum women using Medicaid services, and the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act (H.R. 4995), which will support maternal health care training programs for medical professionals and support maternal health in rural areas. Congressman Guthrie is a cosponsor of both of these important bills. Maternal health care has reached a crisis point in the U.S., and we must decrease maternal mortality rates. The Helping MOMS Act and the Maternal Quality Improvement Act are important steps that will improve access to and the quality of health care for women and babies, said Guthrie. I'm proud to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which has a broad jurisdiction over many critical issues that impact Kentuckians, including telecommunications and health care. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://guthrie.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=387163,"Guthrie, Comer Announce Owensboro Health Grant",2019-11-21,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Brett Guthrie,G000558,guthrie.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and Congressman James Comer (KY-01) today announced that U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding Owensboro Health a $460,820 grant to expand rural telemedicine services. Owensboro Health will use the grant funds to purchase and install 22 telecommunications units for telehealth services at 10 sites in five rural counties that Owensboro Health currently serves. The goal of the Owensboro Health Telehealth Project is to eliminate a geographic barrier in order for rural residents to access health care services. This will reduce the time and cost associated with travel, therefore shortening the time between symptoms, diagnosis, and proper treatment. This grant will also help Kentuckians in rural areas access care to specialists, who are often located in urban areas. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Health Subcommittee, I have seen firsthand how telemedicine is the future of patient care, said Guthrie. This grant money will allow rural Kentuckians to have faster, more affordable access to health care services. I look forward to seeing the results. It's imperative that Kentuckians who reside in rural areas are able to access vital healthcare services, Congressman Comer said. I'm grateful the United States Department of Agriculture recognizes the need to expand telemedicine in rural areas like mine and Representative Guthrie's. Many of my constituents rely on rural telehealth services to coordinate their healthcare needs, and these grant funds for Owensboro Health will go towards accomplishing just that in Hopkins, McLean, Muhlenberg and Ohio Counties in Kentucky's 1st District. I was glad to have the opportunity to work with USDA to support their application, and I'm eager to see the improvements to patient treatment through this funding. This grant will open new doors for Owensboro Health to carry our mission into every corner of our region, improving access and lowering costs for the people we serve, said Greg Strahan, president and CEO of Owensboro Health. An expanded telemedicine program is the kind of innovation that can transform rural healthcare by allowing people to receive high-quality care close to home. We are extremely grateful for the leadership of Congressman Guthrie, the support of Rep. Comer and our congressional delegation, and the dedication of Owensboro Health Foundation to make this grant possible. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=18FA3C49-F2FB-435E-A607-399856CBF8AD,Leader McConnell Meets with Secretary of Energy Nominee Dan Brouillette,2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Majority Leader McConnell welcomes to his office in the U.S. Capitol the president's nominee for Secretary of Energy. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement after today's meeting with the president's nominee for Secretary of Energy, Dan Brouillette: I was glad to meet today with Deputy Secretary Brouillette to discuss his nomination to lead the Department of Energy, the administration's ongoing efforts to secure American energy dominance, and the work of Kentuckians to produce affordable domestic energy. In particular, we discussed future funding and support for the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion plant and Kentucky's important role in cutting-edge clean coal and carbon sequestration research. Deputy Secretary Brouillette is an accomplished professional, with an impressive record in public- and private-sector leadership. His work alongside Secretary Perry has helped to undo the damage of the Obama era and write a new chapter in American energy production and innovation. I look forward to the Senate's swift consideration of Deputy Secretary Brouillette's nomination to lead the men and women of the Department of Energy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=3B6FAD36-5208-4C7E-9D19-C7BF9316C8FC,McConnell Celebrates Passage of Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act,2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding unanimous Senate support for the people of Hong Kong: Yesterday, the United States Senate spoke up forcefully and clearly for the brave people of Hong Kong. We unanimously passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. As the author of the original United States - Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, and somebody who has advocated for Hong Kongers for decades, I was proud to speak out on this back in the summer when the protests began. I was proud to secure important policy steps for Hong Kong in the State and Foreign Ops Subcommittee back in September. And I am proud that senators approved these further steps to update that original law to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy and democracy and provide more tools for holding Beijing accountable. I want to thank the senior senator from Florida, all the other members who led on this issue, and all of our colleagues for securing unanimous passage. While this bill moves forward, it is also important for the executive branch and our allies and partners around the world to fulfill their roles as well. Even before this new bill becomes law, Congress has already given the administration significant powers to act, including authorities to directly sanction individuals who violate human rights. And I urge every trading nation around the world to look clearly at Hong Kong, and at Xinjiang, and imagine the costs as China continues to entrench its surveillance state and export it around the world. The Senate continues to do our part. Everyone else must do theirs as well. The United States and the world must stand with Hong Kong.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=98898EA0-9FCC-42F1-9E92-7AA283C13934,"American Families, Job Creators Waiting on Speaker Pelosi to Allow USMCA Vote",2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor urging House Democrats to pass the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada trade agreement (USMCA): Earlier this week, I got to attend the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives' annual meeting. The group represents 26 co-ops across Kentucky, particularly in rural communities. We talked about the positive trends for what you might call middle America' over the past several yearsthe nascent economic turnaround in the small towns, small cities, farm country, rural America, and other places the Obama economy largely left behind. And we also talked about the work still ahead. One of the major priorities that Kentuckians mention is the USMCA. I've heard it from our farmers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and bourbon distillers. Almost every sector of our economy would benefit from this trade deal. Together, Canada and Mexico make up a $500 billion export market for the United States. This major update to our trading framework with our neighbors would send that number even higher, generate more wealth here at home, and create an estimated 176,000 new American jobs. It's no wonder that so many Kentuckians and so many people around the country want Washington to get it done. I hear from everybody from family farming operations to mid-size manufacturers to Fortune 500 firms like UPS and Toyota that employ thousands and thousands in my state. All of them want this fairer, better playing field in trade with Canada and Mexico. In a little more than one week from now, it will have been a full year since President Trump signed the draft agreement, along with the leaders of Canada and Mexico. One full year. But for months now, this generational agreement has been sitting on ice over in the House of Representatives. Speaker Pelosi has refused to allow a vote. In public, House Democrats insist, and insist, and insist that they care about more things than simply impeaching the president. They insist that they want to work together and legislate. But actions speak louder than words. And apparently, thus far, House Democrats have preferred to block 176,000 new jobs for American workers rather than put impeachment aside and get along with the White House for five minutes. It appears there is no governing priority no matter how bipartisan, no matter how beneficial to American families that will not take a backseat to impeachment. Month after month, every time she's been asked about this subject, the Speaker of the House has offered the same empty rhetoric. She's always close to allowing a vote. Her conference is always almost there. But we've been almost there for months and months with no outcome in sight. Lots of talk; zero results. Back in February, the Speaker was asked about the USMCA, saying, I'm optimistic.' That was February. We heard the same thing in Mayand in June: We want to pass this bill.' We heard the same thing through the summerand in September...and in October: Every day we're becoming closer.' A few weeks ago the Speaker said I think we are closethe last mile' and called this the easiest trade deal that we've ever done.' And just a few days ago, the Speaker insisted, yet again, a vote was imminent.' This has been the House Democrats' wild goose chase. This is what our American families, American job creators, and our partners in Mexico and Canada have had to put up with. Every time the Trump administration meets the Speaker halfway, she tries to move the goalposts another 10 yards. And she literally has not even updated her own talking points since Valentine's Day. Textbook obstruction. Just in case anybody did not yet understand that the real roadblock here is partisan politics, I understand the Speaker hosted Richard Trumka yesterday, the head of the AFL-CIO, a power player in left-wing Big Labor. He came to the Capitol to try to quell the uprising of Democrats' own members who can't believe this thing still hasn't passed. How ironic. We're talking about a trade deal that would create more American jobs, and Democrats are considering outsourcing their judgment to Big Labor special interests who, to my recollection, have not supported a single major trade deal in living memory. Here we are, talking about a trade deal, and Democrats are considering outsourcing their own jobs to the head of the AFL-CIO. I wish I were making this up. Reporters got ahold of the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday and he literally said the deal would move forward, if we can get Richard Trumka to agree.' Let me say that again. The Chairman of Ways and Means literally said this major trade agreement will only move forward if this major Democrat campaign contributor gives them permission. Well, it appears that even some House Democrats are getting fed up with the absurdity. Here's what one of them said yesterday: [Trumka] still says we're at the five yard line...So it feels like we've been at the five yard line for a while.' No kidding. This is the biggest opportunity House Democrats have had, in the entirety of their first year in power, to do something significant and substantive for American families. To actually pass something new and real that can become law and strengthen our nation. In other words, the USMCA is House Democrats' final exam for their whole first year in power. And unless something turns around very quickly, after nearly a year of happy talk and empty promises, their leadership seems determined to flunk that exam. All impeachment, all the time, and even the most obvious win for American workers and small businesses gets blocked. That will be Democrats' progress report if the USMCA goes nowhere. Well, I sincerely hope that is not how this story ends. Mexico has passed this. Canada is waiting on us. I believe a bipartisan majority in the Senate are ready to pass it. Our workers, our job creators, and our neighbors are just waiting on Speaker Pelosi. This is no time to kill a national victory out of political spite. This is no time to outsource your judgment to special interests. The Speaker should allow a vote and the House should send us the USMCA.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=D7A6A9FA-D493-4A18-A31E-EFC5A7E386F3,"Leader McConnell Discusses Tobacco 21 Legislation, Hemp and CBD with FDA Commissioner Nominee",2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Majority Leader McConnell welcomes to his office in the U.S. Capitol the president's nominee for FDA Commissioner. WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) met with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner nominee, Dr. Stephen Hahn, today in his office in the U.S. Capitol. During the meeting, Senator McConnell discussed his legislation to raise the nationwide tobacco purchasing age to 21 as well as the significance of hemp production in Kentucky. Senator McConnell informed Dr. Hahn of the importance of his Tobacco-Free Youth Act, which can address the current vaping epidemic by helping keep dangerous nicotine products out of hands of adolescents. Senator McConnell also discussed the positive impact the legalization of hemp is having in Kentucky. He also reminded Dr. Hahn of some of the ongoing challenges -- such as the need for a regulatory framework for CBD -- he hears about from hemp farmers, processors and manufacturers in the state. I look forward to working closely with Dr. Hahn on several important issues for Kentucky, said Senator McConnell. As Senate Majority Leader, I consistently work with my colleagues in the Trump administration to advance Kentucky's priorities. Like many Kentuckians who are taking advantage of hemp's legalization, I am eager for FDA's plans to create certainty for CBD products. Dr. Hahn and I also discussed my legislation to help keep dangerous nicotine productsincluding vaping devicesout of our children's hands. Background: The youth vaping crisis is putting the health of our children at risk. To address this rampant and dangerous new trend, Senator McConnell introduced the Tobacco-Free Youth Act, a bipartisan federal bill with fellow tobacco state colleague, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA). Once enacted, the legislation will raise the minimum purchase age for all tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21 and help protect teens from the health risks associated with nicotine. In 2004, Senator McConnell engineered the $10 billion Tobacco Buyout, which recognized farmers' investment into tobacco while also providing them assistance to explore other opportunities. The legislation creating the Buyout helped many Kentucky farmers diversify and invest in other farming commodities. Now, Kentucky's increasingly diverse agriculture economy supports good jobs throughout the state. Senator McConnell is especially proud of the recent growth of hemp production, which has become more popular since President Trump signed into law the McConnell hemp provision to fully legalize the versatile crop. In December 2018, President Trump signed into law the 2018 Farm Bill, which included Senator McConnell's language to legalize hemp as an agricultural commodity by removing it from the federal list of controlled substances. Earlier this year, Senator McConnell sent letters to several federal financial regulators encouraging them to help hemp farmers and producers explore the full economic opportunity of hemp. In 2014, in collaboration with agriculture leaders in Kentucky and throughout the nation, Senator McConnell secured language in that year's Farm Bill to authorize hemp research pilot programs, which is what Kentucky continues to operate under today. He also used his position as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee to insert provisions in yearly appropriations bills to ensure hemp produced from the pilot programs could be transported, processed and marketed without interference from the federal government. Under the guidance of Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles and his predecessor, now-U.S. Representative James Comer (R-KY) -- who introduced the hemp legalization provision in the U.S. House of Representatives -- these programs have allowed Kentucky farmers to both research the plant and to demonstrate its potential as a viable cash crop.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=E238CD56-C3EE-46A0-B568-70638BFAF5D3,McConnell Announces $17.3 Million Federal Transportation Grant for TARC,2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) was awarded a nearly $17.3 million competitive federal grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Among other initiatives, TARC plans to use the federal funding to replace Louisville's aging public buses with a new, fuel-efficient fleet. Senator McConnell contacted the FTA in support of his constituents' federal grant application and TARC's mission to provide safe and cost-effective transportation to more than 12.5 million passengers annually in the greater Louisville region. According to TARC, the vast majority of its riders are heading to work or school, and these federal resources can support their development and the city's continued economic growth. Working with TARC, I was proud to help deliver this major federal grant award directly benefiting thousands of Kentucky families, said Senator McConnell. The aging TARC buses put an excessive strain on the city and the tens of thousands of Kentuckians who ride it every day. With an advanced fleet of safe, fuel-efficient and cost-effective buses, TARC will be in a better position than ever to help its riders reach their destinations. Louisville is a thriving city, and as Senate Majority Leader, I'm happy to continue supporting new investments like this one for its bright future. The Transit Authority of River City is incredibly grateful for the support of Senator McConnell and his role in securing this $17.3 million award from the FTA, said Ferdinand L. Risco Jr., TARC Executive Director. This substantial investment will allow TARC to upgrade its fleet of 227 buses, improving our ability to provide reliable, efficient service while expanding our impact on the workforce and economic development of the Greater Louisville region.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.republicanleader.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/leader-mcconnell-discusses-tobacco-21-legislation-hemp-and-cbd-with-fda-commissioner-nominee,"Leader McConnell Discusses Tobacco 21 Legislation, Hemp and CBD with FDA Commissioner Nominee",2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.republicanleader.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.20.19 Leader McConnell Discusses Tobacco 21 Legislation, Hemp and CBD with FDA Commissioner Nominee As Majority Leader, McConnell advocates for Kentucky priorities with the Trump Administration Majority Leader McConnell welcomes to his office in the U.S. Capitol the president's nominee for FDA Commissioner. Photo download HERE. WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) met with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner nominee, Dr. Stephen Hahn, today in his office in the U.S. Capitol. During the meeting, Senator McConnell discussed his legislation to raise the nationwide tobacco purchasing age to 21 as well as the significance of hemp production in Kentucky. Senator McConnell informed Dr. Hahn of the importance of his Tobacco-Free Youth Act, which can address the current vaping epidemic by helping keep dangerous nicotine products out of hands of adolescents. Senator McConnell also discussed the positive impact the legalization of hemp is having in Kentucky. He also reminded Dr. Hahn of some of the ongoing challenges -- such as the need for a regulatory framework for CBD -- he hears about from hemp farmers, processors and manufacturers in the state. I look forward to working closely with Dr. Hahn on several important issues for Kentucky, said Senator McConnell. As Senate Majority Leader, I consistently work with my colleagues in the Trump administration to advance Kentucky's priorities. Like many Kentuckians who are taking advantage of hemp's legalization, I am eager for FDA's plans to create certainty for CBD products. Dr. Hahn and I also discussed my legislation to help keep dangerous nicotine productsincluding vaping devicesout of our children's hands. Background: The youth vaping crisis is putting the health of our children at risk. To address this rampant and dangerous new trend, Senator McConnell introduced the Tobacco-Free Youth Act, a bipartisan federal bill with fellow tobacco state colleague, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA). Once enacted, the legislation will raise the minimum purchase age for all tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21 and help protect teens from the health risks associated with nicotine. In 2004, Senator McConnell engineered the $10 billion Tobacco Buyout, which recognized farmers' investment into tobacco while also providing them assistance to explore other opportunities. The legislation creating the Buyout helped many Kentucky farmers diversify and invest in other farming commodities. Now, Kentucky's increasingly diverse agriculture economy supports good jobs throughout the state. Senator McConnell is especially proud of the recent growth of hemp production, which has become more popular since President Trump signed into law the McConnell hemp provision to fully legalize the versatile crop. In December 2018, President Trump signed into law the 2018 Farm Bill, which included Senator McConnell's language to legalize hemp as an agricultural commodity by removing it from the federal list of controlled substances. Earlier this year, Senator McConnell sent letters to several federal financial regulators encouraging them to help hemp farmers and producers explore the full economic opportunity of hemp. In 2014, in collaboration with agriculture leaders in Kentucky and throughout the nation, Senator McConnell secured language in that year's Farm Bill to authorize hemp research pilot programs, which is what Kentucky continues to operate under today. He also used his position as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee to insert provisions in yearly appropriations bills to ensure hemp produced from the pilot programs could be transported, processed and marketed without interference from the federal government. Under the guidance of Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles and his predecessor, now-U.S. Representative James Comer (R-KY) -- who introduced the hemp legalization provision in the U.S. House of Representatives -- these programs have allowed Kentucky farmers to both research the plant and to demonstrate its potential as a viable cash crop. Related Issues: Health Care, Nominations, Tobacco 21 Print Email Tweet Next Previous",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.republicanleader.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/leader-mcconnell-meets-with-secretary-of-energy-nominee-dan-brouillette,Leader McConnell Meets with Secretary of Energy Nominee Dan Brouillette,2019-11-20,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.republicanleader.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.20.19 Leader McConnell Meets with Secretary of Energy Nominee Dan Brouillette As Majority Leader, McConnell advocates for Kentucky priorities with the Trump Administration Majority Leader McConnell welcomes to his office in the U.S. Capitol the president's nominee for Secretary of Energy. Photo download HERE. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement after today's meeting with the president's nominee for Secretary of Energy, Dan Brouillette: I was glad to meet today with Deputy Secretary Brouillette to discuss his nomination to lead the Department of Energy, the administration's ongoing efforts to secure American energy dominance, and the work of Kentuckians to produce affordable domestic energy. In particular, we discussed future funding and support for the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion plant and Kentucky's important role in cutting-edge clean coal and carbon sequestration research. Deputy Secretary Brouillette is an accomplished professional, with an impressive record in public- and private-sector leadership. His work alongside Secretary Perry has helped to undo the damage of the Obama era and write a new chapter in American energy production and innovation. I look forward to the Senate's swift consideration of Deputy Secretary Brouillette's nomination to lead the men and women of the Department of Energy. Related Issues: Nominations, Energy Print Email Tweet Previous",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov//public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ContentRecord_id=1645040E-71BC-44DE-8C8E-69ED0623F585,Focus Must Remain on Appropriations Process to Fund the Government,2019-11-19,2019,2019-11,Republican,House,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the Senate agenda and the need to fund the government and defense, process nominations, pass USMCA: My colleagues are well familiar with my repeated calls for bipartisan progress in funding the federal government. For more than two months, as the appropriations process idled at partisan roadblocks, I've pointed out just how straightforward this entire process could have been. With the roadmap negotiated in July by the president and the Speaker, and approved by each of the congressional leaders, we had the necessary commitments to move forward in good faith and avoid partisan riders that would stall the entire effort. Of course, that didn't happen. But failing to secure funding for the federal government before the end of the year is not an option. So Chairman Shelby continues to lead efforts to settle on subcommittee allocations that can earn bipartisan support. Today, with these efforts ongoingand with our deadline to prevent a funding lapse rapidly approachingI am encouraged that the House will apparently be voting today on a continuing resolution to keep government funded to December 20th while talks continue. These talks must continue, because it is vital that we work in good-faith to fund important priorities for the coming year. But what is needed in the near term is to keep government open for the next several weeks while this work goes on. So this is not rocket science: The House needs to send us a short-term funding bill which the Senate can pass and which the president will sign. That is the way to keep government open while our important discussions continue to make progress towards closing out the appropriations process and getting full-year bills to the floor. Now, on another matter...for weeks, Republicans have been trying to move forward significant, bipartisan legislation for the American people. Senate Republicans have tried to get our Democratic colleagues to let us consider defense funding. House Republicans have tried to get Speaker Pelosi to finally allow a vote on the USMCA. And in both chambers, we've been asking Democrats to stop slow-walking the conference committee for the critical defense bill, the NDAA. Alas, our Democratic colleagues have not yet been willing to budge on any of it. So, as a result, while the Senate waits for the House to send us short-term funding legislation, we'll spend this time on the personnel business. Yesterday, we advanced the nomination of Justice Robert Luck of Florida to be a U.S. Circuit Judge for the 11th Circuit with the support of a bipartisan majority. Justice Luck brings an impressive and well-rounded legal record, including a clerkship on the 11th Circuit, service in the U.S. Attorney's office for the Southern District of Florida, and years spent ruling from the state bench. Today, we'll also vote to advance the nomination of Justice Barbara Lagoa of Florida -- also to serve on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. A graduate of Columbia University School of Law, Justice Lagoa has spent years practicing law, serving as a federal prosecutor, and ruling from both the state appellate bench and the Florida Supreme Court. I look forward to confirming both these impressive nominees along with Adrian Zuckerman, the president's nominee to serve as our nation's Ambassador to Romania.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z