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://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=3593F4B6-5B9F-4DB8-A270-C6C7146492D4,President Jimmy Carter,2024-12-29,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"LOUISVILLE, KY — U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement regarding the death of the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter: “Elaine and I join the Senate and the nation in mourning the passing of our 39th president, Jimmy Carter. “President Carter lived a truly American dream. A devoutly religious peanut farmer from small-town Georgia volunteered to serve his country in uniform. He found himself manning cutting-edge submarines hundreds of feet beneath the ocean. He returned home and saved the family farm before feeling drawn to a different sort of public service. And less than 15 years after his first campaign for the state Senate, his fellow Americans elected him leader of the free world. “Jimmy Carter’s character and commitment, just like his crops, were fruits of all-American soil. After every season when life led him to lofty service far from home, he came back home again, determined to plow his unique experiences and influence into helping others; into building and teaching and volunteering; into further enriching the same rich soil that had made his own life possible. “President Carter served during times of tension and uncertainty, both at home and abroad. But his calm spirit and deep faith seemed unshakeable. Jimmy Carter served as our commander-in-chief for four years, but he served as the beloved, unassuming Sunday school teacher at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia for forty. And his humble devotion leaves us little doubt which of those two important roles he prized the most. “As Jimmy Carter is reunited with his beloved Rosalynn, our thoughts and prayers are with their children, Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the millions of Americans whose lives were touched by his service. We join them in mourning, but also in celebrating that Jimmy Carter is now reaping an eternal harvest in Heaven.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=70FC6608-BE27-412F-978B-1674D72A9E50,McConnell Comments on the Passing of Pat Crowley,2024-12-28,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the passing of Pat Crowley: “I was saddened to hear about the passing of one of Kentucky’s finest political journalists, Pat Crowley. Over a long and distinguished career, Pat’s work in the Commonwealth drew wide attention and well-earned national acclaim. Over the years, I enjoyed getting to know Pat and reading his characteristically well-reasoned coverage of important news. Elaine and I will remember Pat fondly, and we send our condolences to his wife, his daughter and son, and his grandchildren.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=6B9BF71B-7F07-42F2-A5DA-70FA67B2A7AA,Congressman Rogers Voted for the American Relief Act of 2025,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Avoiding a Government Shutdown & Supplying Disaster Relief WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) voted for the American Relief Act to extend federal government funding through March 14, 2025, avoiding a government shutdown during the holidays. The bill prioritizes disaster relief funds and extends relief for farmers for one year. “As we look forward to the new year, a new Republican-led Congress and a new Trump/Vance Administration in the White House, this bill paves the way for our new leaders to be a part of the process to secure critical federal funding for the country through 2025. This bill isn’t perfect, but our nation has a multitude of pressing needs that require additional funding, including disaster relief from recent deadly storms and helping our farmers who have experienced devastating losses. When the new Congress is sworn into office in January, we will need to hit the ground running,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. “It is the duty of Congress to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. A government shutdown would be reckless for our economy, our military, our federal workers and our global posture.” The American Relief Act extends vital health care services, including DEA scheduling authority for fentanyl-related substances and funds for special diabetes programs and community health centers. It extends Medicare payments and provides for the Medicare improvement fund. The bill also provides for child and family services programs, rural development disaster assistance and emergency food assistance. The final package sets aside $110 billion for disaster relief and $30 billion in emergency aid for American farmers. It does not include a two-year suspension of the debt limit or a pay raise for members of Congress. The bill passed the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration. Click here to read the American Relief Act of 2025. Click here to read a summary of the bill.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-morgan-mcgarvey-introduces-landmark-bill-to-empower-va-innovation,Congressman Morgan McGarvey Introduces Landmark Bill to Empower VA Innovation,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"The INNOVATE Act works to accelerate innovation at VA, improve healthcare for veterans, lower costs, and create new opportunities for veteran entrepreneurs WASHINGTON, DC (December 20, 2024) – Yesterday, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) and Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49) introduced the Innovation for VA Technology and Entrepreneurship (INNOVATE) Act to provide the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)—particularly Veterans Health Administration (VHA)—with authorities that will empower VA to ensure veterans have quicker access to new and emerging healthcare innovations. As the country’s largest integrated healthcare system with over 1200 medical centers and clinics, the VA holds tremendous power and opportunity—it serves more than 9 million veterans, has access to entire lifetimes of health data, and hosts the medical training programs that prepare 80% of the doctors and nurses in the country. “We need to do better for our nation’s veterans. They deserve the best possible healthcare but that isn’t always what they get when they go to the VA” said Congressman Morgan McGarvey. “It doesn’t have to stay this way. My INNOVATE Act would harness the power of the VA health care system, direct resources toward innovative health solutions, and incentivize them, so VA can not only rise to meet the ever changing needs of veterans but can emerge as a leader in the transformation of healthcare for all Americans.” Unlike other American healthcare systems, VHA’s #1 goal is best-in-class care for the veteran — not profit. However, despite its size, assets, and reach, VHA struggles to meet the clinical demand of a growing and changing veteran population and faces significant financial challenges that require an overhaul of its service delivery. VHA is also unable to nimbly engage with the private sector—particularly early-stage businesses—due to bureaucratic hurdles, which further limits VHA’s ability to participate meaningfully in a quickly evolving technological healthcare landscape. “We’ve seen it work before — thanks to increased innovation at the Department of Defense, through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, we have the internet and GPS,” continued Congressman McGarvey. “Imagine what we could accomplish if our nation’s largest integrated health system had the same authorities to design, test, and deploy health solutions that meet the unique and ever changing needs of veterans—that’s where the INNOVATE Act comes in. If VA can find innovative solutions to better treat—or even cure—the health conditions veterans face, we’re not only changing the lives of veterans, but every American, and every person with that condition.” “Excessive red tape has hindered the delivery of life-saving care to over nine million veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration health program. We need more innovative approaches within the organization, which is why I’m proud to co-lead the INNOVATE Act to give the VA the necessary tools to deliver modern, effective care for our veterans,” said Congressman Mike Levin. “By cutting red tape, driving innovation, and supporting veteran entrepreneurs, this bill would ensure our nation’s heroes who have access to the best health care solutions available.” The INNOVATE Act provides VHA with new contracting tools and capabilities that will increase capacity for collaboration with the broader healthcare industry and prioritizes collaborations with veteran owned small businesses. Key components of the INNOVATE Act include: Office of Innovation: The bill codifies the existing VHA Office of Innovation with a Chief Innovation Officer who reports to the Under Secretary for Health. Special Hiring Authority (SHA): SHA would enable the Office of Innovation to quickly and competitively hire the most qualified clinical and technical subject matter experts to provide innovative care and build cutting-edge solutions. Advanced Market Commitment (AMC): AMCs guarantee the manufacturer a market for new products that meet a target product profile at a pre-agreed price. In the context of VA healthcare, this means VA could drive the market toward unique veteran-centric solutions rather than relying solely on off-the-shelf products that require costly modification to meet the specific needs of veterans. It also means VA could get an optimized price and early access to a technology that it co-developed or facilitated with external partners. Other Transaction Authority (OTA): OTA enables easier collaboration with external innovators through the research, prototype, and production of new technology, rather than the current months-to-years long process it takes VA to partner with external stakeholders. OTA already exists in other federal agencies like the Department of Defense and is an important step in empowering VHA to become an innovation hub that can co-develop research-backed technologies with small businesses – including an emphasis on veteran-owned businesses – and safely apply them to veteran healthcare. Innovation Fund: Through a dedicated Innovation Fund, VHA can invest in technologies, addressing healthcare market failures with solutions that have not yet been developed, or optimized for veteran healthcare. Rather than have funding provided by Congress, the Innovation Fund would be supported through pilots sponsored by industry where solutions are enhanced through VA clinical subject matter expertise, veteran feedback, synthetic data sets, simulation testing environments, real clinical environments, and advanced medical device manufacturing. The fund would be further supported by earnings through equity, intellectual property (IP) rights, and fee-for-service mechanisms within the department. The Innovation Fund will be self-sustaining and no money appropriated for veteran care would be used for the fund. Veteran Entrepreneurship: The INNOVATE Act would increase opportunities for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) to work with VA. Through the outlined authorities and access to an Innovation Fund, VA can invest in and support these businesses from concept to implementation, scaling impactful solutions that are developed in collaboration with veterans, for veterans. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=5B020155-DA1C-44F0-86EC-031F4DD0410A,Leader McConnell Delivers Remarks on Lessons of Leadership and Work Ahead,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor: “It’s not entirely clear yet how or when Congress will conclude its end-of-year business. But when the Senate does adjourn, it’ll just about mark the end of my tenure as Republican Leader. “I’ve made it clear this year that our colleagues haven’t seen the last of me. I still fully intend to keep frustrating my critics in the years ahead. “But while I still command this particular podium, I thought I might make a few observations I’ve picked up along the way. “Folks come to Washington to do one of two things: either to make a point, or to make difference. “It’s usually not that hard to tell who’s doing which… especially in situations like the one we’re in right now. “The people who are here to make a difference recognize pretty quickly that you never get everything you want… but often you can get quite a lot. “And the folks who prefer to make a point have a funny habit of reminding us – out loud – how poorly they understand that fact. “I don’t care to count how many times I’ve reminded our colleagues – and our House counterparts – how harmful it is to shut the government down… and how foolish it is to bet that your own side won’t take the blame for it. “Recent history doesn’t leave a whole lot of room for interpretation on that one: when you try to use normal government function as a bargaining chip, you pay a political price. *** “That said, if I took it personally every time my advice went unheeded, I probably wouldn’t have spent as long as I have in this particular job! “Getting a legislative outcome in the Senate requires that large majorities of people who don’t share all of the same views to actually work together toward outcomes where they do see eye to eye. “We’ve had divided government here most of the time I’ve been in this job. Neither side has owned the place. We have a choice. Do nothing. Or try to find things you can agree on and do them together. “With the exception of just one short period of a few months, this place hasn’t seen a filibuster-proof Senate in fifty years. Getting things done almost inevitably requires getting with a lot of people who disagree with you on most things. “And in the interests of stable, enduring outcomes, that’s actually a good thing. Anyone who comes to the Senate hoping for both rigid, hardline conformity and prompt action is barking up the wrong tree. “You know, I’ve heard folks who like making a point say they’d rather serve with 30 colleagues who all agree than with a majority who didn’t. ‘So if you want to accomplish absolutely nothing, sign up with the group that would rather serve with the 30 people who all agree than those who had differences. “Everyone I know who’s interested in making a difference understands pretty quickly that it requires that kind of interaction in order to achieve something. “Leading means letting folks take a walk when they need to, and rallying together when we need to. “I’ve been so grateful over the years to lead majorities that embrace these necessary rhythms… “I’m gratified by the trust they’ve placed in me repeatedly to determine what that moment requires… “And I’m so proud of the outcomes we’ve achieved for the country. “I’m looking forward to spending the next Congress as a member of another majority. In a different set of capable hands. “I’m rooting hard for my friend, John Thune, and the leadership team our conference has assembled around him. “There’ll be no shortage of important work to do, and I’ll stand ready to do my part. *** “Back in 2007, on my first day in this job, I told our colleagues [that] ‘the Senate has no claim on greatness unless its power is put to great ends’. “And I stated my view that ‘the first duty of government is the defense and protection of its citizens’. “The Senate is great. And so is the Nation it represents. “But today, our nation faces one great challenge – from forces betting on our decline. “And so that first duty of government is the task to which I’ll devote my efforts in the coming years. “Our prosperity and security depend on an order forged by American leadership and American strength – both of which require our urgent attention. “The arsenal of democracy must be restored. Peace through strength must once again actually mean something other than just a slogan. “And I’ll do everything in my power to help continue this to be the greatest country in the world. “No one can do what we can internationally and that’s where I’m going to put my focus. “Thank you all for the opportunity.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-forces-amendment-vote-to-save-social-security-from-bankruptcy/,Dr. Rand Paul Forces Amendment Vote to Save Social Security from Bankruptcy,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2024 Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 Dr. Rand Paul Forces Amendment Vote to Save Social Security from Bankruptcy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) forced a vote on his amendment to the Social Security Fairness Act to save Social Security from bankruptcy. “It is absurd to entertain a proposal that would make Social Security both less fair and financially weaker. To undo the damage made by this legislation, my amendment to gradually raise the retirement age to reflect current life expectancies will strengthen Social Security by providing almost $400 billion in savings,” said Dr. Paul. Dr. Paul’s amendment would have gradually raised the retirement age to reflect current life expectancies, by three months per year until the retirement age reaches 70, and would save the program nearly $400 billion. His amendment would have also paid for the cost of the Social Security Fairness Act, which will total $200 billion over 10 years. Dr. Paul offered a similar proposal in 2011 that would have been gradually implemented over the course of ten years. At the time, the Social Security trustees estimated that the trust fund would be solvent for 75 additional years. Today, the same proposal with almost immediate implementation only buys us a little over a year before the trust fund goes bankrupt. Dr. Paul’s amendment puts Social Security on a path toward solvency and helps undo some of the damage imposed by the Social Security Fairness Act. You can read Dr. Paul’s amendment HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-forces-vote-on-fiscally-responsible-solution-to-shutdowns/,Dr. Rand Paul Forces Vote on Fiscally Responsible Solution to Shutdowns,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2024 Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 Dr. Rand Paul Forces a Vote on Fiscally Responsible Solution to Shutdowns WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) forced a vote on his Government Shutdown Prevention Act, which was offered as an amendment to H.R. 82. Dr. Paul’s amendment proposed a fiscally responsible solution that prevents shutdowns. His amendment would have also prevented a shutdown crisis, discouraged excessive spending, and attempted to balance the budget. “No matter where one stands on the debate over government spending, we should all be able to agree that Congress needs to handle Americans’ money thoughtfully and hit its deadlines,” said Dr. Paul. “The Government Shutdown Prevention Act would take a major step forward toward bringing basic fiscal responsibility to Capitol Hill.” Instead of Congress risking government shutting down operations, Dr. Paul’s plan would keep government open but institute a six percent cut, consistent with his Penny Plan, to then-current funding levels for any agency, program, and activity that Congress failed to fund. Funding would be reduced by another one percent every 90 days thereafter that an agreement is still not enacted. Currently, Congress does not face any consequences for failing to pass appropriations bills on time, which has helped lead to it pursuing procrastination over prudence and risking shutdowns due to impasses. Along with ensuring government honors its obligations and maintains its operations, Dr. Paul’s proposal would give agencies the certainty of knowing that, in a worst-case scenario, they will always be able to operate with a full year of funding at no less than 91 percent of their then-current levels. You can read Dr. Paul’s amendment HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-offers-fiscally-responsible-solution-to-shutdowns-and-stalemates/,Dr. Rand Paul Offers Fiscally Responsible Solution to Shutdowns and Stalemates,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2024 Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 Dr. Rand Paul Offers Fiscally Responsible Solution to Shutdowns and Stalemates WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) offered the Government Shutdown Prevention Act as a fiscally responsible amendment to prevent shutdowns and stalemates. Dr. Paul’s amendment prevents shutdown crises, discourages excessive spending, and aims to balance the budget. “No matter where one stands on the debate over government spending, we should all be able to agree that Congress needs to handle Americans’ money thoughtfully and hit its deadlines,” said Dr. Paul. “The Government Shutdown Prevention Act would take a major step forward toward bringing basic fiscal responsibility to Capitol Hill.” Instead of Congress risking government shutting down operations, Dr. Paul’s plan would keep government open but institute a six percent cut, consistent with his Penny Plan, to then-current funding levels for any agency, program, and activity that Congress failed to fund. Funding would be reduced by another one percent every 90 days thereafter that an agreement is still not enacted. Currently, Congress does not face any consequences for failing to pass appropriations bills on time, which has helped lead to it pursuing procrastination over prudence and risking shutdowns due to impasses. Along with ensuring government honors its obligations and maintains its operations, Dr. Paul’s proposal would give agencies the certainty of knowing that, in a worst-case scenario, they will always be able to operate with a full year of funding at no less than 91 percent of their then-current levels. You can read Dr. Paul’s amendment HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C5B8BD11-CABC-4522-95C8-9529191C897A,McConnell and Rogers Legislation to Name U.S. Courthouse Annex in Honor of Judge Siler Passes Congress,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Judge Siler has served on the federal bench for nearly 50 years. WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05), Dean of the House, announced the passage of legislation to designate the United States Courthouse Annex in London, Kentucky as the “Eugene E. Siler, Jr. United States Courthouse Annex.” The bill now goes to the President for his signature. Born in Williamsburg, Kentucky, Judge Siler dedicated his life to serving Eastern Kentucky, establishing a reputation as an acclaimed jurist and a trusted source for sound legal advice. Judge Siler has served on the federal bench for nearly fifty years, nominated by two U.S. Presidents, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush, to the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky and, subsequently, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. In 2016, Leadership Tri-County recognized Judge Siler as their Leader of the Year for his contributions to Kentucky. “Serving on the federal judiciary for nearly five decades, Judge Siler has had massive impact on my home state of Kentucky, both on and off the bench. Today, alongside Congressman Rogers, it is my privilege to designate the U.S. Courthouse Annex in London, Kentucky in honor of this accomplished Kentuckian,” said Senator Mitch McConnell. “As one of my home state’s top legal minds and a man synonymous with Whitley County, there is no person more befitting of this honor. I join the chorus of voices back home in thanking Judge Siler for his lifetime of service to our country and the Commonwealth.” “Judge Siler’s legacy as a jurist who earned appointments from two U.S. Presidents, gives us a great sense of pride in southeastern Kentucky. It is only fitting for the federal courthouse in London, Kentucky, where he dedicated many years of service and mentored aspiring legal minds, to bear his name. This designation for Judge Siler is a small token of appreciation on behalf of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to applaud his valiant service. It is an honor to join Senator Mitch McConnell to advance this worthy recognition from both chambers of this Congress,” said Congressman Hal Rogers. “I’ve known Judge Siler most of my adult life, and he’s been both a friend and mentor long before I became an attorney. His support, including letters of recommendation for law school, played a key role in shaping my legal career. Judge Siler isn’t just one of the most outstanding legal scholars of our time but also a pillar of Southeastern Kentucky—always gracious, whether at the bench or as a regular at Weaver’s Hotdogs in London. His generosity, kindness and tireless dedication to upholding the founding principles of our Constitution define his legacy of service. He is an inspiration to the 6th Circuit and to our nation. Having spent countless hours working in the federal courthouse here in London, it’s especially meaningful that the annex will be named in Judge Siler’s honor. I’m deeply grateful to Senator McConnell for his leadership in bringing this legislation forward and to Congressman Rogers for his partnership in securing this well-deserved recognition,” said State Senator Brandon Storm. “Laurel County is very fortunate to have a Federal Courthouse here in our area. I appreciate Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers for recognizing Judge Eugene Siler’s contribution to our community and it’s court system. Judge Siler has been a good personal friend of mine for many years and this recognition is well deserved. I want to congratulate Judge Siler for this accomplishment,” said Laurel County Judge-Executive David Westerfield. “I’m thankful to Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers for recognizing such an outstanding member of the Whitley County community. Judge Eugene Siler, Jr. has had a distinguished and respected career on the Sixth Circuit where his decisions have helped shape the law of the entire nation. And that’s not to mention the great number of East Kentucky law students he has encouraged through clerkships and other support, including myself. I cannot think of anyone else more deserving of this honor,” said Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White, Jr. “I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to be done by two of the most iconic figures in Kentucky, Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers, for one of the most impressive figures to me Judge Siler. Judge is a friend of mine and my family and is beloved by everyone in Williamsburg,” said City of Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison. “Judge Siler has been a blessing to so many in our community. He embodies the perfect example of what it means to live your life in service to others. Judge Siler has been a strong, compassionate, and dedicated leader in Eastern Kentucky throughout the years. I appreciate Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers for honoring Judge Siler in this way,” said City of Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=180D1ACE-BCEA-4B03-9523-4EBF3DACE36E,McConnell and Rogers Legislation to Name U.S. Courthouse Annex in Honor of Judge Siler Passes Congress,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05), Dean of the House, announced the passage of legislation to designate the United States Courthouse Annex in London, Kentucky as the “Eugene E. Siler, Jr. United States Courthouse Annex.” The bill now goes to the President for his signature. Born in Williamsburg, Kentucky, Judge Siler dedicated his life to serving Eastern Kentucky, establishing a reputation as an acclaimed jurist and a trusted source for sound legal advice. Judge Siler has served on the federal bench for nearly fifty years, nominated by two U.S. Presidents, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush, to the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky and, subsequently, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. In 2016, Leadership Tri-County recognized Judge Siler as their Leader of the Year for his contributions to Kentucky. “Serving on the federal judiciary for nearly five decades, Judge Siler has had massive impact on my home state of Kentucky, both on and off the bench. Today, alongside Congressman Rogers, it is my privilege to designate the U.S. Courthouse Annex in London, Kentucky in honor of this accomplished Kentuckian,” said Senator Mitch McConnell. “As one of my home state’s top legal minds and a man synonymous with Whitley County, there is no person more befitting of this honor. I join the chorus of voices back home in thanking Judge Siler for his lifetime of service to our country and the Commonwealth.” “Judge Siler’s legacy as a jurist who earned appointments from two U.S. Presidents, gives us a great sense of pride in southeastern Kentucky. It is only fitting for the federal courthouse in London, Kentucky, where he dedicated many years of service and mentored aspiring legal minds, to bear his name. This designation for Judge Siler is a small token of appreciation on behalf of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to applaud his valiant service. It is an honor to join Senator Mitch McConnell to advance this worthy recognition from both chambers of this Congress,” said Congressman Hal Rogers. “I’ve known Judge Siler most of my adult life, and he’s been both a friend and mentor long before I became an attorney. His support, including letters of recommendation for law school, played a key role in shaping my legal career. Judge Siler isn’t just one of the most outstanding legal scholars of our time but also a pillar of Southeastern Kentucky—always gracious, whether at the bench or as a regular at Weaver’s Hotdogs in London. His generosity, kindness and tireless dedication to upholding the founding principles of our Constitution define his legacy of service. He is an inspiration to the 6th Circuit and to our nation. Having spent countless hours working in the federal courthouse here in London, it’s especially meaningful that the annex will be named in Judge Siler’s honor. I’m deeply grateful to Senator McConnell for his leadership in bringing this legislation forward and to Congressman Rogers for his partnership in securing this well-deserved recognition,” said State Senator Brandon Storm. “Laurel County is very fortunate to have a Federal Courthouse here in our area. I appreciate Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers for recognizing Judge Eugene Siler’s contribution to our community and it’s court system. Judge Siler has been a good personal friend of mine for many years and this recognition is well deserved. I want to congratulate Judge Siler for this accomplishment,” said Laurel County Judge-Executive David Westerfield. “I’m thankful to Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers for recognizing such an outstanding member of the Whitley County community. Judge Eugene Siler, Jr. has had a distinguished and respected career on the Sixth Circuit where his decisions have helped shape the law of the entire nation. And that’s not to mention the great number of East Kentucky law students he has encouraged through clerkships and other support, including myself. I cannot think of anyone else more deserving of this honor,” said Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White, Jr. “I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to be done by two of the most iconic figures in Kentucky, Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers, for one of the most impressive figures to me Judge Siler. Judge is a friend of mine and my family and is beloved by everyone in Williamsburg,” said City of Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison. “Judge Siler has been a blessing to so many in our community. He embodies the perfect example of what it means to live your life in service to others. Judge Siler has been a strong, compassionate, and dedicated leader in Eastern Kentucky throughout the years. I appreciate Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers for honoring Judge Siler in this way,” said City of Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/sens-paul-and-markey-urge-president-biden-to-extend-tiktok-divestment-deadline/,Sens. Paul and Markey Urge President Biden to Extend Tiktok Divestment Deadline,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : December 19, 2024 Contact : Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov , 202-224-4343 Sens. Paul and Markey Urge President Biden to Extend TikTok Divestment Deadline WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to provide TikTok owner ByteDance with a 90-day extension to either sell TikTok or face a ban in the United States, as authorized by the Protecting Americans Data from Foreign Adversaries Act. The lawmakers urged the Biden administration to trigger the 90-day extension before January 19, the deadline by which ByteDance must either divest TikTok or face a ban. On January 10, the U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments to consider whether the law violates the First Amendment. In the letter, the senators wrote , “The stakes here are high: As a practical matter, even if the Court rules that the law is constitutional by the January deadline, ByteDance cannot divest TikTok in that limited time. Consequently, absent a judicial injunction, decision overturning the law, or action by you, TikTok will soon be banned in the United States, causing its creators and users serious hardship.” Read the letter HERE . ### Related posts: Senator Rand Paul Joins Push for School Choice Sens. Paul, Booker Participate In Sullivan University Forum On REDEEM Act Sens. Paul And Boxer Announce The Invest In Transportation Act Sens. Paul and Booker Re-introduce the REDEEM Act Share This Facebook Twitter",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=499586D2-39FB-485D-A787-22B0D9F5373F,McConnell On Push To Commute Mass Murderers: “No Legacy A President Should Seek”,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"‘Let’s be clear what commuting these sentences would mean. It would mean that the laws passed by Congress and applied by our judges and juries have no value. It would mean that progressive politics is more important to the President than the lives taken by these murderers. It would mean that society’s most forceful condemnation of white supremacy and antisemitism must give way to legal mumbo jumbo.’ WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding President Biden’s pardons: “President Biden’s decision earlier this month to pardon his son may well have set a unique and unfortunate precedent. But abuse of the presidential pardon doesn’t stop there. “Last week, the President went on to commute 1,500 sentences. And the way liberal activists see it, he should have done even more. “More than twenty liberal retired judges – including the Boston radical who recommended the disgraced pro-crime U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins – have now urged the President to turn his eye to federal death sentences. “They claim that the federal death penalty is ‘rife with fundamental problems’ including race discrimination and poor representation of defendants. “But this is not just some theoretical recommendation about systemic injustice. “If the President heeded these former judges’ call, it would mean commuting the death sentences of the mass murderer who slaughtered black churchgoers at Mother Emanuel in Charleston… “…and the perpetrator of the massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. “Are these men the victims of systemic racism? Did they have inadequate counsel? Of course not. They are mass murderers, guilty beyond any doubt whatsoever. “Let’s be clear what commuting these sentences would mean. It would mean that the laws passed by Congress and applied by our judges and juries have no value. “It would mean that progressive politics is more important to the President than the lives taken by these murderers. It would mean that society’s most forceful condemnation of white supremacy and antisemitism must give way to legal mumbo jumbo. “The irony of claims of systemic racism causing the President to spare Dylann Roof is ludicrous to the point of tragedy. “This is no legacy a president should seek.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=4F373661-8515-491F-B190-20F8C92D3519,Leader McConnell Meets With Scott Bessent,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today on his meeting with Scott Bessent: “I was glad to meet today with President-elect Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent. Over four years, the Biden Administration’s runaway spending handed working families and job creators the worst inflation in four decades. Righting the ship will require a steady hand and deep expertise. The President-elect was right to turn to Mr. Bessent to lead the Treasury Department through this vital work.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=89CEF771-5598-4688-A432-FB82CBE47342,McConnell Remarks On The Water Resources Development Act,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"‘Thanks in large part to the leadership of Ranking Member Capito and her team, the sensible legislation before us will strengthen our nation’s water infrastructure from the Everglades to the Port of Los Angeles to the inland waterways that course through Kentucky. It’s good news for communities across the country.’ WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the Water Resources Development Act: “Last week, the House passed the water resources bill with broad, bipartisan support. Today, it’s the Senate’s turn to act. “Thanks in large part to the leadership of Ranking Member Capito and her team, the sensible legislation before us will strengthen our nation’s water infrastructure from the Everglades to the Port of Los Angeles to the inland waterways that course through Kentucky. “It’s good news for communities across the country. From clean drinking water to ecosystem maintenance to storm resiliency to navigable waterways for trade and commerce, the bill before us takes a comprehensive approach. “And because our communities understand their challenges better than any bureaucrat in Washington, this bill will provide the flexibility to tailor solutions to each community’s unique needs. “I’m also pleased it will authorize several projects important to the health and well-being of Kentuckians. One will build out infrastructure for water and wastewater treatment in Appalachia, always a concern of rural communities across America’s heartland. “Another will help secure safe and reliable drinking water for the growing number of families in Scott County. And finally, another will update Greenbrier Lake Dam which supplies water for Kentuckians across Montgomery County. “So far, an impressive, broad coalition has thrown their support behind this bill, from ports and shippers, to farm groups and unions, to dozens of industry leaders who rely on our waterways to move goods, protect jobs, and keep costs low for the American people. “I appreciate the House’s work to move this must-pass legislation forward in bipartisan fashion. “I hope the Senate will do the same today.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=9AB282EB-2E26-4293-855F-5C0AD0612D2D,Leader McConnell Meets With John Ratcliffe,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today on his meeting with John Ratcliffe: “I was glad to meet today with President-elect Trump’s nominee to serve as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe. In the face of a growing array of coordinated threats, America will rely as much as ever on the intelligence professionals of the CIA. In turn, the agency will rely on Mr. Ratcliffe’s steady leadership and sound judgment to fulfill its core missions of collecting foreign intelligence and providing policymakers with objective analysis.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=A13EE0B3-1A39-4AB0-92F9-A9DFAC95731F,McConnell Remarks On Retiring Senator Kyrsten Sinema,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"“Arizona’s senior Senator stood up in the face of a grave threat to this institution’s defining characteristic and said ‘no’. And in doing so, she sent a message that will resonate long after her departure from the chamber.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ): “I’d like to close with just a few words about another of our departing colleagues, the senior Senator from Arizona. “It’s perhaps unconventional for the leader of one party to pay formal tribute to a departing Senator who’s caucused with the other side. “But then, Kyrsten Sinema has never had trouble with bucking a trend. “For one thing, she’s spent her six years in this body earning levels of influence, respect, and command of policy that are uncommon among Senate freshmen. “She’s thrown herself into worthwhile projects, done the heavy lifting of legislation, and kept at it when longer-tenured colleagues might have thrown in the towel. “Needless to say, Senator Sinema’s maverick streak extends to her efforts to broaden the Senate’s fashion horizons, too. “But the cornerstone of our colleague’s legacy in this chamber will be her willingness to defend the Senate, itself, when saying nothing would have been a great deal easier. “Arizona’s senior Senator stood up in the face of a grave threat to this institution’s defining characteristic and said ‘no’. And in doing so, she sent a message that will resonate long after her departure from the chamber. “I admire our colleague for the courage, wisdom, and clarity that have guided her service to the people of Arizona and to the entire nation. “And I wish her the very best in her next chapter.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=A33A9E40-AD45-427E-958E-A501782A53AF,McConnell on Passage of the National Defense Bill: More Work to Be Done,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) secured several important priorities for Kentucky in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the Senate today. The legislation now goes to the President for his signature. “The National Defense Authorization Act, like all major legislation, is a compromise product. While this legislation falls short of the topline increase in defense investments my Republican colleagues and I have advocated, I’d be remiss not to mention several important priorities this bill secures for Kentuckians,” said Senator McConnell. “The NDAA once again deepens Kentucky’s commitment to our nation’s defense with provisions that establish a state-of-the-art aviation facility at Fort Knox and reinforce the role of Kentucky-based manufacturers in our defense industrial base. I’m especially proud this bill expands telehealth services for servicemembers across state lines, so our nation’s heroes and their families have ready access to the care they need.” This legislation authorizes several provisions to bolster America’s defense, rebuild our arsenal, and reform antiquated procurement practices: pilots a program to commercially produce munitions, strengthens America’s munitions supply chain, and significantly streamlines bureaucracy to expedite acquisition at the Department of Defense. The NDAA also embraces emerging innovations in counter-drone technology, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, and it paves the way for generational upgrades in our nation’s nuclear, hypersonic, missile defense, and space capabilities. Expanded Access to Online Mental Health Care Senator McConnell secured a new interstate authority for Tricare providers to expand access to mental healthcare for our nation’s servicemembers and their families. This legislation authorizes delivery of telehealth services across state lines, expanding the network of available providers, increasing patient choice, reducing wait times, and allowing our nation’s heroes to keep the providers they trust when moving from base to base. This provision helps ensure Kentucky’s servicemembers at Fort Knox, Fort Campbell, and the Blue Grass Army Depot have ready access to the care they need. Enhanced Preparedness for Emerging Threats At Senator McConnell’s urging, the bill requires a comprehensive review of U.S. military training, doctrine, and technology necessary to address the proliferation of tunnels, bunkers, weapons silos, and other subterranean military facilities used by adversaries such as Hamas, Iran, and North Korea. Senator McConnell remains committed to ensuring the Department of Defense and our servicemembers have the resources they need to defend our nation in these complex threat environments. Senator McConnell also secured the following priorities that bolster the Commonwealth’s central role in America’s defense:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=C8B14618-1E6D-4AE7-9D96-9FC48400C75B,Leader McConnell Meets With Scott Bessent,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today on his meeting with Scott Bessent: “I was glad to meet today with President-elect Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent. Over four years, the Biden Administration’s runaway spending handed working families and job creators the worst inflation in four decades. Righting the ship will require a steady hand and deep expertise. The President-elect was right to turn to Mr. Bessent to lead the Treasury Department through this vital work.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-morgan-mcgarvey-introduces-historic-bipartisan-ohio-river-restoration-legislation,"Congressman Morgan McGarvey Introduces Historic, Bipartisan Ohio River Restoration Legislation",2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 17, 2024) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) and Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09), co-chairs of the Ohio River Basin Caucus, introduced the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, the first comprehensive piece of legislation to address the pressing environmental and conservation needs within the 204,000 square miles of the Ohio River Basin. “From waste and erosion to pollution and climate change, the Ohio River is facing serious threats that aren’t going to just work themselves out and can’t be fixed by one person or organization alone,” said Congressman Morgan McGarvey. “It’s unconscionable that our most vital and important resource is also the largest body of water in the entire country that receives zero dollars in dedicated federal funding—we’re working to change that. I’m proud to partner with my Ohio River Basin Caucus co-chair Rep. Houchin in leading this historic, bipartisan effort to holistically address our river’s needs.” ""The Ohio River is essential to millions of Americans, providing drinking water and supporting jobs across our region,” said Congresswoman Erin Houchin. “We’re committed to ensuring the river gets the attention and resources it needs by securing federal funding and bringing together stakeholders to develop a plan that protects and restores it for future generations."" The geographic footprint of the Ohio River covers 55 congressional districts across 14 states—more than 25 million people in the region depend on the waters of the Ohio River Basin for their drinking water, health, jobs, and more. In 2023, the Ohio River was named the 2nd most endangered river in the country, and it is the largest body of water in the United States that does not receive any dedicated federal funding for clean-up. The Ohio River Restoration Program Act, modeled after successful initiatives like those in the Great Lakes, the Chesapeake and other major bodies of water, would create an Ohio River National Program Office within the Environmental Protection Agency to convene states, local governments, interstate compact agencies, tribal nations, and non-governmental organizations to work in conjunction to secure federal funding opportunities and create an action plan designed to carry out initiatives related to: Core restoration actions that can provide a solid foundation for an Ohio River restoration and protection plan, such as habitat restoration, farm conservation, and invasive species control and management. Pollution prevention and clean water protection that can complement and support restoration actions. Robust monitoring, data collection, and evaluation that can be used to effectively and efficiently manage a restoration and protection program across 14 states. Homeowner support that can help ensure that no person is denied clean, safe, and affordable water based on their economic status or where they live. Workforce development and job training that can help create strong, local economies based on water protection and restoration. Strong local public engagement structures to ensure that residents have a seat at the table to weigh in on restoration decisions and hold elected officials accountable. Investments and policies that help communities prepare for the impacts of extreme storms and flooding. Investments and policies that help the communities most impacted by pollution. “Millions of people depend on the waters of the Ohio River Basin for their drinking water, health, jobs, and quality of life,” said Jordan Lubetkin, Senior Director for Ohio River restoration at the National Wildlife Federation. “We are grateful to Representatives Morgan McGarvey and Erin Houchin for their bipartisan leadership as co-chairs of the Ohio River Basin Caucus and their efforts to protect these critical habitats and waterways. The Ohio River Basin faces serious environmental threats, including toxic pollution and sewage contamination which threaten drinking water and the public health. This region deserves focused federal investments to restore its waters, and to support the public health, economic, and ecological benefits cleaner water can provide. We must act now to fund this important work, because inaction will only make the problem worse and more expensive to solve.” “American Rivers is proud to endorse the Ohio River Restoration Program Act which will have a profound impact on the drinking water source of more than 25 million people across 14 states. For years, we have worked with partners to improve water quality, fish passage, and resilient infrastructure --- ensuring a healthy future for all,” said Heather Taylor-Miesle, Senior Vice President, Conservation, American Rivers. “This timely legislation responds to the core needs of our communities and reflects our nation's commitment to protect the Ohio River and the Ohio River Basin. We thank Representatives McGarvey and Houchin for introducing a bill to implement basin-wide restoration approaches to strengthen collaboration and investment in the region."" ""The Ohio River Basin faces numerous water resource challenges,” said COL L. Reyn Mann, Commander, Louisville District of the Army Corps of Engineers. “Protecting and nurturing this invaluable resource is paramount for the well-being of millions as its diverse ecosystems sustain communities, drive commerce, and offer boundless recreational opportunities. We are encouraged by the continued efforts to raise awareness of these critical issues and lay the groundwork for long-term solutions."" Ohio River Basin Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. McGarvey and Rep. Houchin Announce Ohio River Restoration Program Act The Ohio River Restoration Program Act is endorsed by the National Wildlife Federation, Ohio River Basin Alliance, Ohio River Way, American Rivers, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Appalachian Voices, Appalachian Citizens' Law Center, West Virginia Rivers Coalition Inc., Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Kentucky Resources Council, Inc, River Fields, River City Paddle Sports, Indiana Wildlife Federation, Upstream Pittsburgh, Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund, Virginia Conservation Network, Three Rivers Waterkeeper, PennFuture, Groundwork Ohio River Valley, Ohio Conservation Federation, Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network (LiKEN), Kentucky Riverkeeper, Friends of Bell Smith Springs, Prairie Rivers Network, Ohio River Foundation, and Kentucky Conservation Committee. View full text of the bill, here. View a one pager for the bill, here. A gallery of photos from the press conference is available here. A recording of the press conference is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-morgan-mcgarvey-appointed-to-key-leadership-position-in-house-democratic-caucus,Congressman Morgan McGarvey Appointed to Key Leadership Position in House Democratic Caucus,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 16, 2024) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) announced that he has been named a Chief Deputy Whip—a key position in Democratic Whip Katherine Clark’s (MA-05) Whip team—to champion House Democrats’ agenda in the 119th Congress. As Chief Deputy Whip, Congressman McGarvey will join a group of 10 members that represent the diversity of experience and perspectives that make up the House Democratic Caucus. In this new role, he will support the Democratic Whip leadership operations and serve on the Steering and Policy Committee, which is responsible for the committee organizing of the House Democratic Caucus. “I’m honored to be appointed by Whip Clark to serve my Democratic colleagues as a Chief Deputy Whip,” said Rep. McGarvey. “In the continued fight against Republican extremism, it’s undeniable that strong leadership and unity among our Democratic colleagues will be crucial, and I’m looking forward to representing my hometown and working families throughout our country in this new position.” ""I am thrilled to welcome Rep. McGarvey to our Whip team,” said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. “During his freshman term, he has already proven to be an indispensably skilled, collaborative, and insightful Member of the House Democratic Caucus. As we prepare for the narrowest House Majority in nearly a century, his leadership will be critical to harnessing the strength and unity of House Democrats, amplifying the voices of working people, and defeating Republicans' billionaire-first agenda."" Rep. McGarvey currently serves as a Senior Whip on Rep. Clark’s Whip team for the 118th Congress. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=6B87210B-392A-466F-A426-616201B788F3,McConnell Honors Departing Senator Mike Braun,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Senator Mike Braun (R-IN): “My earliest participation in politics was wearing an ‘I Like Ike’ pin on school picture day. Well, last month, the state of Indiana was chanting ‘I like Mike’. “Mike Braun’s fellow Hoosiers like him so much, in fact, they’ve decided to steal him back from Washington to be their governor. And if I know anything about Indiana’s junior Senator, he’s probably looking forward to trading in the trappings of this institution for a job a lot closer to home. “But I’d like to say just a few words before he goes. “Years ago, a local reporter asked Mike Braun about his approach to life and work. He told him, quote: ‘You live like you are going out of business every day and it makes you healthy.’ “For a spry, former three-sport athlete like Mike, that much checks out. But needless to say, in the process of keeping him young, our colleague’s mantra also brought a fair bit of [professional] success. “Sure, a cushy white-collar gig and a predictable corporate ladder would have been the natural next step for a high-achiever fresh out of Harvard Business School. But where’s the fun in that? “For Mike, in order to live like you’re going out of business, you have to run a business, yourself. You’ve got to build a team and take risks. And what better place to do that than your hometown. “Most of us are familiar with at least some of what came next for Mike and his high-school sweetheart, Maureen. “The life and business lessons of Mike’s dad, Amos, a decorated World War II vet… “Steering a 15-person operation through the aftermath of the 1980s farm crisis, and turning it into a national team spread across 38 states… “For years, running that success, with sleeves rolled up, from a trailer office… “And raising four kids along the way, three of whom have found their own callings in the family business. “As I understand it, we have Maureen to thank that this incredible story of hard work and entrepreneurial spirit took a turn into politics in the first place. “When friends around Jasper tried drafting her to run for school board, she offered them Mike instead… and so began two decades and counting of life in politics. “Here in the Senate, Mike’s going-out-of-business approach to public service made an early impression. Careful observers ranked him at one point the most effective freshman in the chamber. “He dove head-first into legislation that mattered to him and to Indiana. He advocated passionately for farmers and for families impacted by rare diseases. He fought for outcomes, and stood on principle. “But Hoosiers will be proud to know he still doesn’t like dressing up here on the Senate floor. And who can blame him. By Mike’s own admission, most of what he likes to do – tend the farm, fish, and hunt (both animals and mushrooms) – he can do within 60 miles of Jasper! “So it speaks to Mike’s commitment to his neighbors that, even though he’s leaving Washington, he’s not quite going home just yet – nor will he be able to hang up the coat and tie. “The trust of the people of Indiana is rightly a great source of pride for our colleague – second only to his pride in the family he and Maureen built. And I know he can’t wait to get to work for them in Indianapolis. “I know I speak for our colleagues when I thank Mike for his service these past six years. “We wish him all the best in the next chapter.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=946E3F11-1755-417F-88C3-573A9F869E14,McConnell Remarks On Outstanding Business,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Senate business: “As is typical this time of year, the Senate’s attention is focused squarely on a long list of business with deadlines fast-approaching. “Extending government funding by Friday is our top priority. Shutting the government down is a one-way ticket to needless disruption of important functions. It has never been a winning proposition, and this time is no different. “Delivering urgent disaster relief is a non-negotiable. As communities across the country continue to pick up the pieces from a devastating storm season, they’re watching closely for the Senate to deliver on the promise of a much-needed helping hand. “And, after months of unnecessary delay, the Senate will vote on the National Defense Authorization Act. “The Armed Services Committee reported this year’s NDAA six months ago by an overwhelming, bipartisan vote. “The fact that it has only reached the floor a week before Christmas is really inexcusable. So is the absence of a vote on defense appropriations legislation. “And the blame for this neglect will rest squarely on the outgoing Senate majority. “Ranking Member Wicker and our colleagues on the Committee tried mightily to ensure that the final bill – Congress’ main annual opportunity to shape national defense priorities – backs tough talk on growing threats with the tools required to meet them. “But the NDAA, like all major legislation, is a compromise product. And the absence of the Senate-backed increase to topline investments will go down as a tremendous missed opportunity. “Artificial budget restraints mean that major bill provisions like a pay raise for enlisted servicemembers will come at the expense of investments in the critical weapons systems and munitions that deter conflict and keep them safe. “For all the talk about growing threats to America’s national security, it’s past time for an honest conversation about the military requirements to meet those needs. “And if this NDAA offers any valuable lesson, it’s that we have a tremendous amount of work left to do.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=F2D66ADF-E805-4D88-8C96-4B37CA8748AE,McConnell in Foreign Affairs: The Price of American Retreat,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) contributed an article to Foreign Affairs magazine. Read an excerpt below and the full text here: “When he begins his second term as president, Donald Trump will inherit a world far more hostile to U.S. interests than the one he left behind four years ago. China has intensified its efforts to expand its military, political, and economic influence worldwide. Russia is fighting a brutal and unjustified war in Ukraine. Iran remains undeterred in its campaign to destroy Israel, dominate the Middle East, and develop a nuclear weapons capability. And these three U.S. adversaries, along with North Korea, are now working together more closely than ever to undermine the U.S.-led order that has underpinned Western peace and prosperity for nearly a century. “The Biden administration sought to manage these threats through engagement and accommodation. But today’s revanchist powers do not seek deeper integration with the existing international order; they reject its very basis. They draw strength from American weakness, and their appetite for hegemony has only grown with the eating. “Many in Washington acknowledge the threat but use it to justify existing domestic policy priorities that have little to do with the systemic competition underway. They pay lip service to the reality of great-power competition but shirk from investing in the hard power on which such competition is actually based. The costs of these mistaken assumptions have become evident. But the response to four years of weakness must not be four years of isolation. “Even though the competition with China and Russia is a global challenge, Trump will no doubt hear from some that he should prioritize a single theater and downgrade U.S. interests and commitments elsewhere. Most of these voices will argue for focusing on Asia at the expense of interests in Europe or the Middle East. Such thinking is commonplace among both isolationist conservatives who indulge the fantasy of ‘Fortress America’ and progressive liberals who mistake internationalism for an end in itself. The right has retrenched in the face of Russian aggression in Europe, while the left has demonstrated a chronic allergy to deterring Iran and supporting Israel. Neither camp has committed to maintaining the military superiority or sustaining the alliances needed to contest revisionist powers. If the United States continues to retreat, its enemies will be only too happy to fill the void. “Trump would be wise to build his foreign policy on the enduring cornerstone of U.S. leadership: hard power. To reverse the neglect of military strength, his administration must commit to a significant and sustained increase in defense spending, generational investments in the defense industrial base, and urgent reforms to speed the United States’ development of new capabilities and to expand allies’ and partners’ access to them. “As it takes these steps, the administration will face calls from within the Republican Party to give up on American primacy. It must reject them. To pretend that the United States can focus on just one threat at a time, that its credibility is divisible, or that it can afford to shrug off faraway chaos as irrelevant is to ignore its global interests and its adversaries’ global designs. America will not be made great again by those who simply want to manage its decline.” … Continue reading the full article here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/sens-paul-and-booker-introduce-bipartisan-fair-act-to-reform-civil-forfeiture-laws-protect-americans-rights/,"Sens. Paul and Booker Introduce Bipartisan FAIR Act to Reform Civil Forfeiture Laws, Protect Americans’ Rights",2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2024 Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 Sens. Paul and Booker Introduce Bipartisan FAIR Act to Reform Civil Forfeiture Laws, Protect Americans’ Rights WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration (FAIR) Act to reform civil forfeiture laws and protect Americans’ rights from government abuse. “The government should never have the power to seize a person’s property without due process. Yet, under current civil asset forfeiture laws, Americans are being stripped of their property without ever being charged or convicted of a crime. The FAIR Act directly addresses these injustices and is a critical step toward restoring fairness and accountability, protecting property owners’ rights, and curbing the weaponization of civil forfeiture laws once and for all,” said Dr. Paul. “Civil asset forfeiture allows federal law enforcement to seize the property of Americans who haven’t even been charged with or convicted of a crime,”said Senator Booker.“Under this system, police can keep cash, cars, and even homes based on mere suspicion of a crime. These losses often become law enforcement’s profit because the burden is on the property owner to prove they should get their property back. Reforming federal civil asset forfeiture is long overdue and the FAIR Act will ensure due process and protect the public from unfair deprivations and forfeiture abuses.” The latest version of the FAIR Act closely mirrors previous versions of the bill, with updates to reflect changes made by the House Judiciary Committee during a markup on June 14, 2023. The bill was favorably reported out of committee by a unanimous 26-0 vote, signaling broad bipartisan support and increasing the likelihood of legislative progress. In the Senate, the FAIR Act is currently cosponsored by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Angus King (I-ME), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). You can read the FAIR Act HERE. The FAIR Act is also supported by: “Civil forfeiture is an abomination and reform is long overdue,” said Dan Alban, Senior Attorney for Institute for Justice. “The FAIR Act makes important strides by removing the profit incentive that drives so many of these abuses, preventing evasion of state law protections for property owners by ending the federal ‘equitable sharing’ program, and by ensuring that every property owner gets their day in court before a neutral judge by eliminating administrative forfeitures. It is urgent that Congress pass the FAIR Act.” “At present, the government may seize, and ultimately keep, a person’s belongings based on allegations of a connection to criminal activity without ever taking the next logical step of pursuing a criminal charge, much less securing a criminal conviction,” said Brett Tolman, Executive Director of Right On Crime and former U.S. Attorney. “As a result, innocent citizens have lost their homes, cars, and life savings over a mistake or, worse yet, through the malice or indifference of a government official without requiring the government to justify the taking.” “My family has experienced firsthand the devastating consequences of government overreach through the IRS’s abuse of power,” said Savannah Chrisley, CPAC Senior Fellow for Criminal Justice Reform. “The FAIR Act is a critical step toward restoring accountability and protecting innocent citizens from unjust seizures. By eliminating profit incentives and ensuring due process, this legislation addresses a fundamental violation of our rights and provides much-needed safeguards against these egregious abuses. I urge Congress to pass the FAIR Act to prevent other families from enduring the same injustices.” “Republicans and Democrats alike have, for years, recognized civil asset forfeiture as one of the most egregious forms of government overreach. Nearly 30 years ago, then-Congressman Henry Hyde authored a book about the abuse of civil asset forfeiture. He wrote, ‘Increased government and police powers, rising criminal activity and violence, popular anxiety about drug use — all have become justifications for curtailing the application of the Bill of Rights and the individual security it once guaranteed.’ Many states have passed civil asset forfeiture reform laws to protect individuals from abuse of this tool, but Congress hasn’t yet acted. Senator Paul’s FAIR Act provides that opportunity. We urge all senators to cosponsor the FAIR Act and restore the Constitutional guarantees of the Fifth Amendment,”said Jason Pye, Vice President of Due Process Institute. “NFIB thanks Senator Paul for reintroducing this important legislation to protect small business owners from unjust asset seizures. The federal government should not be allowed to seize business owners’ property without evidence of wrongdoing. Small business owners are constantly navigating numerous burdensome federal rules and regulations – spending time proving their own innocence without ever being charged for a crime should not be another burden on their plate,” said Andrea McGee, Principal of Federal Government Relations at National Federation of Independent Business. “The Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration Act (FAIR Act) is vital legislation that seeks to restore fundamental constitutional protections by reforming the federal civil asset forfeiture process, a system that too often undermines trust in law enforcement and the rule of law. Civil asset forfeiture, in its current form, allows government agencies to seize property based on mere suspicion of its involvement in criminal activity—without charging or convicting the owner of a crime. This practice erodes public confidence in our justice system. By raising the evidentiary standard for seizures and providing better transparency and accountability, the Act helps ensure that the practice of asset forfeiture aligns with the Constitution and public expectations of justice. For these reasons, we are happy to support this legislative effort, and we applaud Sen. Rand Paul for his leadership. Restoring legitimacy and trust in law enforcement is not a partisan issue rather it is a shared priority for all who believe in the foundational principles of fairness and accountability,” said Jillian Snider, Policy Director for Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties at the R Street Institute. “Through civil forfeiture, the federal government seizes billions of dollars in money and property each year without ever seeking a criminal conviction. Victims of forfeiture don’t have to be found guilty of a criminal offense in court, and most of them never see the inside of a courtroom. Civil forfeiture, in its current form, is without due process and basic fairness. Senator Paul’s Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration (FAIR) Act would do much to fix the broken system of civil forfeiture. The bill would help restore the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” by shifting the burden rightly back onto the government to prove one’s money or property was used in criminal activity. It would also protect the right to counsel, improve transparency, remove government’s incentives for civil forfeiture, and eliminate the pernicious “equitable sharing program” by which federal law enforcement is able to ignore and circumvent state laws that limit or prevent civil forfeiture. Those who need the protections of the law when government agents threaten to forfeit their property are not always the most popular, influential, or politically powerful members of their community. Senator Paul’s leadership in this space to help protect the property rights of all is commendable and greatly appreciated,”said Dan Greenberg, General Counsel for Competitive Enterprise Institute. “No American should have to worry about the government unjustly seizing their property, but current law allows law enforcement to “arrest” property now and ask questions later. The FAIR Act strengthens due process protections for innocent property owners and removes the financial incentives policymakers have created for law enforcement to unjustly seize cash, cars, and even houses from individuals who haven’t been charged with a crime. Civil asset forfeiture denies Americans their constitutionally guaranteed presumption of innocence, leaving them with few options to recover their property, while encouraging law enforcement agencies to use the proceeds to fund their activities. 30 states and the District of Columbia have acted to rein in civil asset forfeiture abuse, and we applaud Sen. Paul for working to solve the problem at the federal level,”said Greg Glod, Senior Policy Fellow at Americans for Prosperity. Background: Civil forfeiture laws present a threat to the rights of all property owners in the United States. These laws authorize the government to seize property based on the mere suspicion that it may be connected to criminal activity. No charges or conviction are required and, once property is seized, owners must navigate the confusing and expensive legal system to win it back. Worst of all, unlike criminal cases where the accused is afforded certain rights, such as the right to counsel, civil forfeiture cases are brought against the property itself and the government usually faces a lower evidentiary threshold, meaning the deck is stacked against the property owner. By passing the Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration (FAIR) Act, Congress can decisively remedy this unjust system by providing strong due process protections to property owners. The FAIR Act would: Eliminate “Equitable” Sharing: The “equitable” sharing program allows state law enforcement officers to turn seized property over to federal officials for forfeiture — and get up to 80% of the proceeds of the forfeited property. The FAIR Act ends “equitable” sharing and ensures that law enforcement cannot ignore state law. Remove the Profit Incentive: Law enforcement should be motivated by public safety, not financial rewards. The FAIR Act would restore the rule in which the proceeds of forfeiture go to the Treasury’s General Fund, where Congress can appropriate the money for any purpose. Restore Principle of “Innocent Until Proven Guilty”: Under current law, federal law enforcement agencies may take property suspected of involvement in crime without charging the property owner with a crime. The FAIR Act places on the government the burden to show that a property owner consented or was willfully blind to his property being used in a crime by a third party. Require Clear and Convincing Evidence: The FAIR Act would require that the government prove its case by the higher standard of clear and convincing evidence, instead of the current preponderance of the evidence standard that the property was used for an illegal purpose. Protect the Right to Counsel: Under current law, defendants receive appointed counsel due to indigency only if (1) they request it, and (2) their home has been seized. The FAIR Act would ensure that indigent owners can receive, at the discretion of the court, representation in civil forfeiture proceedings. Reform IRS Seizures: The FAIR Act requires that the IRS prove that the defendant knowingly deposited funds with criminal intent before they can seize the property. It also requires that a probable cause hearing be held no later than 14 days after the IRS seizes funds under the pretense of a structuring violation. Enact Strong Reporting Requirements: Requires the Attorney General to report on deposits made to the Treasury Fund, and that such report shall indicate the state, type of forfeiture, and provide details to specifically identify which funds were obtained from civil forfeiture and which funds were acquired from criminal forfeiture. Abolish Administrative Forfeitures: Administrative forfeitures happen automatically when property owners fail to challenge a seizure in court for any reason, including the inability to afford a lawyer or a missed deadline to file a claim. The seized property is simply presumed “guilty” without a neutral arbiter such as a judge determining whether it should be permanently taken from its owner. According to the Institute for Justice, administrative forfeitures account for 88 percent of all forfeitures. This provision would effectively force the government to go to court to keep property it has seized. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=34F6065C-8E89-451B-8BF3-A06565D5A4BC,Barr Votes to Strengthen National Defense and Support Our Troops,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,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 in favor H.R. 5009 - Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA), legislation that delivers a well-deserved pay raise for our troops, counters the growing threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and restores focus on military readiness. “The passage of this defense bill sends a clear message: we stand resolutely with our servicemembers and their families, who sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms and security,” said Congressman Barr. “This NDAA strengthens our national defense, ensures accountability at the Pentagon, and counters adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party with bold investments in cutting-edge technologies and the Pacific Deterrence Initiative. I’m proud to support a bill that not only bolsters military readiness but also prioritizes the well-being of our brave men and women in uniform.” Key provisions of the FY25 NDAA include: Supporting Servicemembers and Their Families: A 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and a 4.5% raise for all other servicemembers. Significant investments in housing, medical care, and childcare to improve the quality of life for military families. Countering the CCP and Strengthening Defense: $15.6 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to enhance U.S. military posture in the Indo-Pacific region. Prohibitions on Chinese espionage activities and strengthened defenses for critical technologies such as hypersonics and AI. Support for Taiwan and Indo-Pacific allies to deter Chinese aggression. Defending Israel Requires DOD to continue to provide battlefield intelligence to Israel for the defeat of Hamas. Authorizes full funding for U.S.-Israel missile defense programs Reverses the Biden Administration’s decision to halt certain missile deliveries to Israel. Focusing on Lethality and Readiness: Eliminating wasteful programs and ensuring accountability through independent Pentagon audits. Investments in innovative technologies, including counter-drone systems and missile defense. Increased support for shipyard infrastructure and defense industrial base resilience. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-morgan-mcgarvey-introduces-bill-to-improve-vas-emergency-response,Congressman Morgan McGarvey Introduces Bill to Improve VA’s Emergency Response,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 11, 2024) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) introduced the Advancing VA’s Emergency Response to (AVERT) Crises Act, a bipartisan, bicameral initiative to improve VA’s response to natural disasters, pandemics, and other emergencies to ensure continuity of VA medical care for veterans. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Tester to ensure that VA is fully equipped to respond to crises and continue serving our nation’s veterans,” said Congressman Morgan McGarvey. “Whether it’s flooding in eastern Kentucky, tornadoes in Louisville, hurricanes on the coast, or fires out west, increasingly frequent natural disasters are devastating our communities and leaving too many without the care and services they need. There’s no time like the present to invest in our nation’s ability to respond to these emergencies and take care of the men and women who put on a uniform to take care of us. ” The Veterans Health Administration provides direct health services to over 9 million veterans with over 1,300 health care facilities, including Louisville’s Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center. It is the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system. The AVERT Crises Act would ensure that the VA is better prepared to activate their Fourth Mission authority—VA’s role in improving the nation’s response to emergencies. The bill would require VA to implement fully operational emergency communications systems throughout VA medical facilities, and improve VA’s emergency cache program—stored reserves at VA medical facilities containing drugs and medical supplies to be used during an emergency. The bill is the House companion bill of S. 3341, introduced by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Maisie Hirono (D-HI). “In the last few years, we’ve seen disasters strike all parts of this country, from the COVID-19 pandemic to massive flooding in my home state of Montana. Due to its size and reach, VA is in a prime position to respond to these crises,” said Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Tester. “I’m proud our bill will ensure that VA is prepared to respond to these emergencies while continuing to provide high-quality care for veterans.” “The COVID-19 pandemic and recent natural disasters have tested the limits of the Department of Veterans Affairs ability to activate their Fourth Mission and appropriately respond to emergencies and disasters,” said Jon Retzer, Deputy National Legislative Director for Health, Disabled American Veterans (DAV). “DAV is thankful for Rep. McGarvey for sponsoring the Advancing VA’s Emergency Response to (AVERT) Act of 2024, which aims to address lesson learned from these emergencies and disasters to ensure that communication systems are effective and that continuity of VA medical care is maintained for our nation’s veterans during these activations.” The AVERT Crises Act would: Require VA to implement a fully operational emergency communications system throughout their medical facilities; Require VA to report to Congress on the current status of its Regional Readiness Centers, and on recommendations for improving the alignment of its offices involved with emergency management to ensure there is not redundancy between offices; Require VA to ensure its emergency pharmacy vehicles and emergency caches are fully stocked with unexpired inventory; and Require VA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to analyze cross-Department coordination during emergencies. The AVERT Crises Act is endorsed by Disabled American Veterans (DAV). ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/washington-d-c-this-week-u-s-senator-rand-paul-r-ky-reintroduced-the-support-children-having-open-opportunities-for-learning-school-act-to-provide-parents-and-students-with-much-need/,Dr. Rand Paul Reintroduces the SCHOOL Act for Educational Freedom,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2024 Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 Dr. Rand Paul Reintroduces the SCHOOL Act for Educational Freedom Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) reintroduced the Support Children Having Open Opportunities for Learning (SCHOOL) Act to provide parents and students with much-needed flexibility and options regarding K-12 education. “Every child, regardless of neighborhood, color, class, or background, deserves access to a school that supports their success,” said Dr. Paul. “My SCHOOL Act will provide parents and students with educational choices and the necessary tools to succeed, no matter where they are learning.” The Support Children Having Open Opportunities for Learning Act would allow Federal funds for K-12 education to follow the eligible child, regardless of whether the child is in public school, private school, or homeschool. These funds could be used for a wide range of educational needs, including curriculum materials, technological educational materials, and educational therapies for students with disabilities. No matter what the learning landscape looks like moving forward, this bill empowers parents to put their children’s futures first. Dr. Rand Paul’s Support Children Having Open Opportunities for Learning (SCHOOL) Act Would: Amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to allow certain funds authorized under those laws to follow a child, whether learning in person or remotely, to the public school, private school, or homeschool of choice. Allow those funds to be used for a range of needs, including: Curriculum materials Technological educational materials Tutoring Extracurricular activities Private school tuition Educational therapies for students with disabilities Ensure each child would receive the same amount of funding, regardless of where the child is enrolled. Ensure that no child choosing to take advantage of these opportunities would be precluded from a federally funded school food program. Protect non-public education providers from Federal and State control. You can read the SCHOOL Act HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/12/comer-applauds-passage-of-the-bipartisan-water-resources-development-act,Comer Applauds Passage of the Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) today praised the House of Representatives’ passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. Congressman Comer supported the bipartisan legislation which will authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to carry out projects to improve the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure. In addition, WRDA includes language Congressman Comer authored which requires the Corps to implement consistent, clear, and fair fee policies to marina operators and other small businesses in Kentucky and across the United States. . “The Water Resources Development Act is the most consequential legislative package for Kentucky’s 1st District, and I was proud to support the bill’s passage today. Kentucky’s 1,590 miles of rivers are vital to the transportation of nearly 79 million tons of freight, valued at over 5 billion dollars, and these waterways provide a safe and efficient way to transport essential commodities that Americans need. The Water Resources Development Act will provide resources for major construction projects that will strengthen and improve Kentucky’s waterway infrastructure and create good-paying jobs for hardworking Kentuckians. . “Tourism is also crucial to Kentucky’s economy, especially lake related tourism, and marinas throughout the Commonwealth provide critical economic opportunities. Unfortunately, the Army Corps has levied inconsistent and exorbitant fees against local marinas and these unexpected fees can cripple marina operators. As Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, I made it a priority this Congress to bring much needed transparency and consistency to fees pushed by the Corps. WRDA includes language I authored, which will ensure fees pushed on local marinas are now administered consistently and fairly. In the 119th Congress, I will continue to advocate for Western Kentucky’s inland waterways system and tourism industry,” said Congressman Comer (R-Ky.). .",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/12/comer-to-return-as-chairman-of-oversight-committee-in-the-119th-congress,Comer to Return as Chairman of Oversight Committee in the 119th Congress,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) has been selected to serve again as Chairman of the House Oversight Committee for the 119th Congress. He issued the following statement: “It is an honor to continue serving the American people as Chairman of the House Oversight Committee. The American people have made it clear they want President Trump and Congress to clean up the federal government and make it more accountable to them. Oversight Committee Republicans are ready to hit the ground running and fulfill this mandate. Many of President Trump’s key priorities align with the Oversight Committee’s jurisdiction, including the federal civil service, government management, efficiency in government operations, federal procurement, executive branch reorganizations, and more. We will actively work with President Trump and his administration to hold the federal bureaucracy accountable and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. We will advance solutions to make the federal government more efficient, effective, transparent, and accountable to the American people.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=0609D636-31A3-406E-BC82-AACCF83F0C59,Congressman Rogers Votes for Federal Water Resources Development Act,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Authorizes $75 million for water infrastructure projects in Kentucky, including flood control and alerts along the Kentucky River WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program. The legislation improves the nation's water infrastructure through locally-driven projects that protect communities from flooding and support economic development. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) voted in support of the bill, which authorizes $75 million for water resources infrastructure projects in Kentucky. It prioritizes flood risk management along the Kentucky River and directs the Army Corps to expedite completion of a flood warning emergency evacuation plan along the Kentucky River. ""This bill gives the Army Corps the green light to move forward on critical projects that will help expand and enhance reliable water and wastewater resources, and vital projects that help protect our communities from flooding,"" said Congressman Rogers. ""In an effort to expedite needs in hard-hit areas, the bill creates a pilot program for the Army Corps to prioritize projects in rural and economically disadvantaged communities."" WRDA also directs the Corps to develop guidance to standardize fees administered for real estate, including marinas. Separately, the legislation also advances joint legislation introduced by Congressman Rogers and U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell earlier this year, designating the federal courthouse in London, Kentucky as the ""Eugene E. Siler, Jr. United States Courthouse Annex."" Judge Siler's trusted leadership on the federal bench for nearly 50 years, has garnered the respect of the nation's highest office with judicial appointments by three U.S. Presidents. WRDA now returns to the Senate for final passage before moving on to the President's desk to be signed into law.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-morgan-mcgarvey-elected-to-co-chair-largest-future-forum-in-history,Congressman Morgan McGarvey Elected to Co-Chair Largest Future Forum in History,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 10, 2024) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) announced that he has been elected to serve as a Co-Chair for Communications of the Future Forum Caucus for the 119th Congress. “I’m honored to have been elected co-Chair of the Future Forum for the 119th Congress,” said Congressman Morgan McGarvey. “Too often, young people in America are undervalued and overlooked—we have to do better. By investing in the next generation of leaders and making sure their voices are not just heard, but valued, we’re investing in a stronger America. I look forward to working with my fellow co-chairs and the entire Future Forum Caucus as we continue this mission.” In the 118th Congress, Rep. McGarvey introduced several bills to fight for America’s youth—including legislation to create a Young Adult Tax Credit and lift young adults out of poverty, the Child Safety and Well-Being Act to establish a long-overdue independent children’s commission to advise on how best to support children, and the School Meals Expansion Act to reduce student hunger. As a member of the Child Labor Prevention Task Force, Rep. McGarvey has also fought to keep kids safe and protect them from labor violations. Following a federal investigation into several child labor violations in Louisville, McGarvey introduced the Workers POWER Act to better prevent the exploitation of kids and workers. Rep. McGarvey also established the first Congressional Youth Advisory Council in Louisville, a nonpartisan initiative that provides students with the opportunity to advise him on policy issues and have their voices better represented in Washington, D.C. Rep. McGarvey with fellow Future Forum co-chairs Rep. Gabe Amo (RI-01) and Rep. Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) About Future Forum: Established in 2015, Future Forum is a generational caucus. In the 119th Congress, the Caucus will be comprised of 54 members from a diverse cross section of the Democratic Caucus who are 50 years and younger. Future Forum represents the next generation of leaders in Congress and includes members of all ideological and identity caucuses in the House, members of the Democratic leadership, and the first Gen Z Member of Congress. Future Forum is dedicated to amplifying the voices of younger Americans on the issues that matter most to the next generation while inspiring future leaders to engage in public service. Throughout the 119th Congress, Future Forum’s leadership will collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders and advocates—both on and off Capitol Hill—to advance a forward-thinking policy agenda. Key priorities include addressing gun violence, combating climate change, tackling student loan debt, and lowering the cost of health care. Since its inception, Future Forum has engaged with Millennial and Gen Z Americans in over 50 cities where they live, work, and learn—and this is just the beginning. ### Congressman Morgan McGarvey represents Kentucky’s Third Congressional District, including Louisville and Jefferson County. He serves on the House Veterans Affairs and House Small Business Committees.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=49AFD03F-8CD1-43E7-9047-FC850EE46D6D,McConnell Meets With Pam Bondi,2024-12-09,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today on his meeting with Pam Bondi: “I was glad to meet today with President-elect Trump’s nominee to serve as Attorney General, Pam Bondi. The American people deserve federal law enforcement authorities worthy of immense public trust. Ms. Bondi’s extensive legal and executive experience make her well-qualified to lead the Department of Justice.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=8CB982EA-5C67-4457-8EA0-EC6B962091A5,McConnell Remarks On Fall Of Assad Regime In Syria,2024-12-09,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"‘It’s quite clear that the recent lightning success of Syrian rebel groups is due in part to the distraction of the Assad regime’s essential patrons. For more than a decade, assistance from Russia and Iran has shored up the twin pillars of Assad’s rule: repression and fear. But today, Russian attention and resources are tied up in protracted war of aggression in Ukraine. And Iran is busy propping up a network of terrorist proxies that Israel has dealt savage blows.’ WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Syria: “In a matter of weeks, President Biden will hand off his authority to a new Commander in Chief, and his administration will submit its stewardship of U.S. foreign and national security policy to the judgment of posterity. “Already, the contours of history are coming into focus: on this Administration’s watch, and frequently at its tacit invitation, the gravest threats to America, our allies, and our global interests have grown and aligned more closely. “Senior Administration officials insist that the exact opposite is true, and that they’re preparing to hand off a world that is safer and more stable than they found it. “This sort of spin isn’t surprising… It’s just profoundly untrue. “And nowhere is the Administration’s revisionist gaslighting more blatant or bizarre than in its account of events in the Middle East. “Yesterday’s collapse of the Assad regime in Syria was a stunning close to half a century of authoritarian rule and thirteen years of senseless slaughter, torture, and innocent suffering. “Bashar Assad is an agent of Iran… An ally of Russia… And a butcher whose hands are stained with so much innocent blood that the death toll defies precise counting. “The destination of this butcher’s flight from Damascus over the weekend is telling. Fellow dictators still find a warm welcome in Putin’s Moscow. And, I might add, so do unrepentant traitors like Edward Snowden. “It’s quite clear that the recent lightning success of Syrian rebel groups is due in part to the distraction of the Assad regime’s essential patrons. “For more than a decade, assistance from Russia and Iran has shored up the twin pillars of Assad’s rule: repression and fear. “But today, Russian attention and resources are tied up in protracted war of aggression in Ukraine. And Iran is busy propping up a network of terrorist proxies that Israel has dealt savage blows. “If you ask the Biden Administration, this was all part of the plan. The President, himself, said as much yesterday. “He noted that the Assad regime’s strongest backers – Russia, Iran, and Hizballah – are weaker today than they were four years ago… as if to suggest that it was his Administration’s policy that made these events possible. “But my colleagues – and for that matter, America’s allies and partners – know a lot better than that. We know that to the extent that our adversaries are weaker today than they were when the President took office, it’s in spite of his chronic hesitation and half-measures in the conduct of American foreign policy. “Ukraine has blunted Russian military power in spite of this Administration’s unfounded fear of escalation and repeated withholding of lethal assistance. “Israel has put Iran and its proxies on the back foot in spite of the Administration’s repeated attempts to dictate the terms of Israeli military operations – and its ongoing freeze on transfers of essential precision munitions. “If the Assad regime’s brutality was an abiding concern for the President, or if the ongoing plight of the Syrian people factored meaningfully into his Administration’s policy, then his National Security Advisor’s description of the Middle East last fall as ‘quieter than it has been for decades’ is even more incongruous than the horrors of October 7th already made it. “If the President now intends to claim credit for bringing a potential end to Syria’s grinding civil war, it begs the question why, as Vice President, he agreed with President Obama’s decision not to enforce his self-imposed red line on Assad’s use of chemical weapons. “The last Democratic administration’s approach to Syria helped Russia displace American influence and helped Iran turn it into a staging ground for its terror proxies’ war on Israel. “The current Democratic administration’s scolding and hectoring of the Jewish state has made defending against this war more difficult. “The Commander in Chief’s record will speak for itself. History will reflect that, if his Administration wanted to heed the urging of leaders of both parties in Congress and deliver the sort of lethal capabilities and permissions Ukraine needed to defend against Russian aggression at the speed of relevance, it was fully empowered to do so. “And had this President even once expressed a willingness to take a serious, bipartisan approach to the Middle East’s primary agents of chaos in Tehran – and its proxies and vassals from Yemen to Syria – it would have found willing partners on this side of the aisle. “I made this much crystal-clear from the first days of his Administration. “At best, the Biden Administration has been an impassive observer. At worst, it restrained America’s friends from defending themselves and hampered the otherwise transformational success of Israel’s operations against the enemies who started this war. “In spite of the Administration’s fixation on de-escalation, Israel decimated Hizballah, the crown jewel of Iran’s terror web. “While the Administration obsessed over the illusion of returning to a stable status quo ante, Israel has turned the tables on Iran and its proxies. “Today, there is no longer such a status quo in Syria. “After years of war stoked by Russia and Iran, the prospects of a beleaguered Syrian people are complicated and uncertain. “But the fall of the Assad regime is an opportunity for our partners in the Middle East to chart a new future… “And to press the advantage earned by Israel’s decisive operations and uproot Iran’s remaining influence throughout the region.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/icymi-senators-paul-and-markey-statement-on-tiktok-court-decision/,ICYMI: Senators Paul and Markey Statement on TikTok Court Decision,2024-12-09,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"“The Court of Appeals decision to uphold the TikTok ban is disappointing and a serious threat to TikTok and its users’ constitutional rights across the country. Congress pushed through this law with limited debate about its impact on TikTok’s diverse base of users and creators and their rights. As public support for the ban wanes, we urge Congress to reconsider the law and intend to work with our colleagues to do so.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=6D1F91EB-F901-4308-B049-0148F042DE52,McConnell Remarks Accepting ‘Peace Through Strength’ Award At Reagan National Defense Forum,2024-12-07,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"“The task before us is urgent. We can’t afford to miss opportunities to restore American hard power and industrial capacity before conflicts ignite. We need to be investing – yesterday – in long-range fires, munitions, air and missile defenses, shipbuilding, and more. It’s all well and good to spend time talking about grave threats. But our enemies care much more about what we do than what we say… We have an obligation to provide for the common defense.’ SIMI VALLEY, C.A. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks at the Reagan National Defense Forum. Below is the text as prepared for delivery: “I’m glad to be with all of you. And I’m so honored by this recognition. “I believe in American primacy and in the power of alliances. I make no apology for these beliefs, and I trace them directly to the example of our 40th president. “President Reagan’s leadership was a source both of professional wisdom and personal inspiration to me. I suspect the same is true for so many of you here today. Even in the climactic moments of a struggle that defined half a century, the consummate cold warrior spoke for posterity. “President Reagan knew that the principles that guided the West’s triumph were not to be discarded with the rubble of Soviet tyranny. He called our attention to the old adage that ‘America is great because it is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.’ “And just as greatness follows goodness, he reminded us of another principle, no less important: peace through strength. “The value of these lessons is timeless. But as we all know, their endurance is hardly certain. “At the Reagan Library, I’m preaching to the choir. But in Washington, as we face down a new era of great power competition, influential voices want to leave the lessons of the last such competition, the Cold War, at the door. “At both ends of our politics, a dangerous fiction is taking hold – that America’s primacy and the fruits of our leadership are self-sustaining. Even as allies across NATO and the Indo-Pacific renew their own commitments to hard power, to interoperability, and to collective defense, some now question America’s own role at the center of these force-multiplying institutions and partnerships. “Within the party Ronald Reagan once led so capably, it is increasingly fashionable to suggest that the sort of global leadership he modeled is no longer America’s place. But let’s be absolutely clear: America will not be made great again by those who are content to manage our decline. “So how do we turn back this tide? How do we renew a firm American commitment to peace through strength? As I take on my next role as Chairman of the Defense Appropriations subcommittee, these are some of the questions I’ll be focused on. “The answers will be rooted in the centrality of hard power and the importance of alliances and partnerships – things our 40th president understood well. “It’ll mean standing with friends in need – whether they’re resisting neo-Soviet imperialism in Ukraine, Iran-backed terrorist slaughter in Israel, or PRC hegemony in the Indo-Pacific. “And we’ll have to bring back into focus another lesson of President Reagan’s leadership: the link between capability and credibility. The 40th Commander-in-Chief knew that changing Soviet behavior required both the military capability to prevent or punish hostile action and the will to exercise this power and follow through on threats. “Today, the United States has given the world reason to doubt both our capability and our credibility. For years, we’ve neglected our military readiness, the depth of our magazine, and our defense industrial base. We’ve allowed our deterrent capabilities to atrophy. And we’ve let hesitation and half-measures drain the potency of the capabilities we have maintained. “Rebuilding this mechanism of deterrence and influence begins with generational investments in the national defense enterprise. We are right to call out the growing alignment and coordination of China, Russia, and Iran. They represent the gravest combined threat to U.S. security since the Cold War – or even the Second World War. “But if we mean what we say, then we ought to invest accordingly. As the bipartisan National Defense Strategy Commission recently argued, a challenge this great requires an effort at least on par with that of the Cold War. “Put that in perspective. In 1945, America had just finished pouring untold human sacrifice, and a material investment reaching 37% of our GDP, into winning the Second World War. “Over the course of the Cold War, we invested nearly 14% of GDP during Korea, over 9 percent during Vietnam, and 6 percent in 1986. “Today, we spend roughly 3% of our GDP on defense, barely half of the Reagan buildup that buried the Soviet Union. In this House of Reagan, I should point out that even Jimmy Carter invested more in defense than America does today. “There is no escaping the fact that quantity has a quality all its own. The sort of great power war America’s military must prepare for today would entail staggering requirements we haven’t seen since World War II. “The Pentagon is not equipped to meet the demands of protracted or multi-theater conflict. Neither is our defense industrial base. “Blame for this chronic deficiency is plentiful. It begins with anemic defense budget requests that encourage using critical munitions as bill-payers for other priorities… And, of course, Congress bears blame for the glacial pace of appropriations. Consistent demand signals for critical capabilities are a square-one requirement. “At the same time, the need for interceptors and long-range munitions is obvious. The demand from both American forces and our allies and partners isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Industry partners should recognize it and plan accordingly. “Patriotic companies have more work to do to expand production capacity. And they need to do it today, rather than wait for contracts we all know are coming. We need to adopt new technologies more quickly and expand production capacity at the same time. “This is not the time for idle, abstract promises. The challenges before us require serious, sustained commitments and durable solutions. The threat of simultaneous conflict in multiple theaters is real. And half-measures are not enough. “As Admiral Harold Stark, CNO through the early months of the last war in the Pacific, put it: ‘Dollars cannot buy yesterday’. “The task before us is urgent. We can’t afford to miss opportunities to restore American hard power and industrial capacity before conflicts ignite. We need to be investing – yesterday – in long-range fires, munitions, air and missile defenses, shipbuilding, and more. “It’s all well and good to spend time talking about grave threats. But our enemies care much more about what we do than what we say. Merely invoking ‘peace through strength’ is not enough. We have an obligation to provide for the common defense. And it calls us to actually build and maintain that strength. “Unless we’re willing to spend the necessary resources to address them, talk is cheap. And a defense authorization bill that fails to set topline funding above the President’s request would be a tragic missed opportunity we would likely come to regret. A re-run of the Budget Control Act’s harm to military readiness would be a devastating abdication of our responsibility. “We need to make the sort of investments in American primacy and hard power that the world hasn’t seen since Ronald Reagan was calling the shots. And it’s not just proud Reagan Republicans saying so. By the Institute’s latest survey, the American people understand intuitively what this particularly dangerous world demands of its greatest military and the arsenal of democracy. “A clear majority – seventeen points greater than just two years ago – agrees that America should be more engaged and take the lead. And – surely to the dismay of proponents of ‘managed decline’ or ‘leading from behind’ – when asked what objectives the U.S. military should be prepared to achieve if faced with simultaneous major-power conflicts, the largest share said: ‘victory’. “These citizens have it exactly right. America shouldn’t play for a tie. And to accept decline is to invite defeat. “The American people’s message echoes a chapter of history that Washington would do well to brush up on. Think back to 1940. Isolationism had already lost its grip on American public opinion. In the Nazi conquests of Poland and France, and in the blitz over London, Americans saw an aggressor who wouldn’t stop at the water’s edge. “They saw their own security and prosperity hanging in the balance. And they said so. Overwhelming majorities of Americans told pollsters they supported massive new investments in defense and even the institution of the draft. But as we know, their leaders didn’t feel the same urgency. “At critical moments, their president waited for events to force his hand. Meanwhile, the anti-intervention bloc in Congress continued to protest equipping frontline allies and partners to fight back and scoffed at the notion that war overseas threatened America’s interests. “That is… until 83 years ago, today. “Arthur Vandenberg, one of the Senate’s staunchest anti-interventionists, confessed that December 7th, 1941 ‘ended isolationism for any realist.’ And thank God it did – American industry already had its work cut out for it after years of neglect for military might. “It is reckless to assume once again that we can buy readiness overnight. It is dangerous to pretend that America’s credibility is divisible. President Reagan knew better than to wait for calamity to force his hand. “So should we.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=1F1A6320-8652-477D-8A7B-C1B0A6B828FF,Reps. Barr & Bera Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging House and Senate Leadership to Pass Taiwan Double Taxation Relief,2024-12-06,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Andy Barr (KY-06) and Ami Bera, (CA-06), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, led a bipartisan letter with over 100 members of Congress urging House and Senate leadership to pass the U.S.-Taiwan double taxation relief measures before the end of the year. The House passed Taiwan-related provisions in the bipartisan Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act this January which would provide targeted relief from double taxation on U.S. – Taiwan cross-border investment and provide authority for the President to enter into a tax agreement relative to Taiwan. However, efforts to get Taiwan tax relief across the finish line have not yet succeeded, as the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act remains stalled in the Senate. In the letter, the Members wrote in part: “Currently, tax disincentives discourage Taiwanese and American companies from expanding reciprocal investments in both economies due to the absence of a bilateral tax arrangement. “Without double tax relief, these disincentives will hinder additional Taiwanese investments in critical sectors, such as semiconductors, within the U.S. economy. The absence of these investments and expertise will make it even more difficult for the United States to lessen its foreign dependency on imports of critical technologies and avert supply chain disruptions that pose ongoing threats to U.S. national security and economic growth. “We can make real progress in removing tax disincentives on U.S. and Taiwan cross-border investments by enacting the U.S.-Taiwan double taxation relief measures this year. We believe there is overwhelming support in the Senate for doing so, as was the case in the House. We urge you to collaborate actively to pass the Taiwan tax provisions passed in the House before the 118th Congress adjourns. U.S. and Taiwanese investors shouldn’t have to wait for the next Congress to act.” Click here for the full text of the letter: ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/12/house-passes-comer-s-bipartisan-bill-to-reauthorize-the-office-of-national-drug-control-policy,House Passes Comer’s Bipartisan Bill to Reauthorize the Office of National Drug Control Policy,2024-12-05,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) today praised the House of Representatives’ passage of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 9598). Congressman Comer introduced this bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the ONDCP and related programs, ensuring federal agencies are properly equipped to hold drug traffickers accountable, particularly at the southwest border. The bipartisan bill will also reauthorize the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program—which will help local law enforcement in Logan, Simpson, Marion, and Adair County coordinate efforts to take down drug traffickers. . “Today, the House of Representatives took action to address the drug crisis claiming too many lives across our nation. The Office of National Drug Control Policy plays a key role in combating the fentanyl and drug epidemic devastating communities across the United States. My bipartisan ONDCP Reauthorization Act provides the necessary tools to combat this crisis. It ensures federal agencies responsible for securing the border and prosecuting drug traffickers are effectively using their resources to prevent illicit drugs from pouring across the southwest border. I urge the Senate to act swiftly on this bill so we can deliver it to the president’s desk for signature,” said Congressman Comer. . Key Provisions of H.R. 9598: Reauthorizes the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program and the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) program at FY 2024 enacted funding levels through FY 2031. Similarly reauthorizes related ONDCP programs including the Drug Court Training and Technical Assistance program, the Model Acts Program, the Community-Based Coalition Enhancement Grants program, and the National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute. Incorporates key aspects of the HIDTA Reauthorization Act (H.R. 7185), led by Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.) and Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), to bolster local law enforcement resources and temporarily reassign prosecutorial resources to combat fentanyl. Codifies the Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act (H.R. 920), led by Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón (R-Puerto Rico) and Rep. Stacy Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands), to ensure ONDCP continues to deliver strategies to address drug trafficking in the Caribbean. Requires the ONDCP Director to conduct a study on life saving opioid overdose reversal agents. Directs the ONDCP Director to coordinate with the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and State to ensure appropriate agencies are properly resourced to ensure that traffickers of illicit drugs are held accountable under Title 8 immigration authorities. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to include in a report to the ONDCP Director the effects of current trends of encounters at the southwest border on CBP’s ability to interdict deadly, illicit drugs. Original cosponsors are Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), John Duarte (R-Calif.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Jenniffer González-Colón (R-Puerto Rico), and Stacey Plaskett (D-U.S. Virgin Islands).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-morgan-mcgarvey-elected-to-key-progressive-leadership-role,Congressman Morgan McGarvey Elected to Key Progressive Leadership Role,2024-12-05,2024,2024-12,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 5, 2024) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) announced that he has been elected a Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) for the 119th Congress. “Right now, we need bold, progressive leadership to push back against an increasingly extreme Republican majority and put power back where it belongs—with the people,” said Rep. McGarvey. “As the sole Democrat representing Kentucky in Washington, I carry the voice of working-class communities from metro Louisville to rural Appalachia, and I understand the unique challenges we face. I’m honored to be elected a Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and I’m looking forward to joining my fellow progressive champions in the fight for policies that create a better future for all Americans.” In the 118th Congress, Rep. McGarvey passed bills to protect veterans from being scammed out of their education benefits and to support entrepreneurs with disabilities. He worked to ban no-knock warrants to ensure no American is wrongfully killed by police in their own home. He also stood up for workers through the Workers POWER Act and fought for America’s youth with the Young Adult Tax Credit and the Child Safety and Well-Being Act. He pushed to protect our environment with the Appalachian Communities Health Equity Act and led efforts to clean up toxic mine lands, while championing the idea of a sovereign wealth fund to ensure future generations have the resources they need. Rep. McGarvey most recently served as a CPC Special Order Hour Convener and hosted discussions on the House Floor with fellow progressive members about gun violence prevention and LGBTQ+ rights. Rep. McGarvey joins fellow CPC leadership to announce results of 119th Congress leadership elections ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=F2BC915B-085B-4F85-98D3-5648CE32B031,McConnell Remarks on Israel-Hizballah Ceasefire,2024-12-04,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Israel: “It’s been a week since Israel and Hizballah agreed to a ceasefire. War is hell, and I hope sincerely that this marks a durable end to the immediate conflict. “But hope is not a strategy, and I know better than to expect honest dealing from hardened terrorists. “It would be naïve enough a year and a half ago to believe Iran and its proxies had suddenly decided to accept Israel’s right to exist. “But in light of the horrors of October 7th and the sustained campaign of terror since then, it’s more likely that Iran and its proxies mean to alleviate the pressure of Israel’s successful operations and give Hizballah – the A-team of international terrorism and the vanguard of Iran’s axis of anti-Semitic violence – a chance to catch its breath. “In the weeks and months to come, the strength of this ceasefire will be tested repeatedly. “Will it prevent Iran from resupplying and regenerating Hizballah’s capacity to wage terror? “Will it enable Lebanon’s political leaders to chart a new path out of Hizballah’s stranglehold of the country? “Will it allow residents of northern Israel to feel safe enough to return home? “It’s important to remember why Israel faced this terror in the first place: despite Chapter 7 UN Security Council resolutions demanding compliance, the ceasefire agreement that ended hostilities in 2006 was never enforced. “Even with Lebanese Armed Forces and UN peacekeepers on the ground, Hizballah re-armed and Iranian influence reached deeper into Lebanon. Such a tragic farce must not be allowed to repeat itself. “This ceasefire is not a solution. If regional powers want peace, they will need to act. “First, Israel’s neighbors must decide whether they want to be peaceful and sovereign countries… or vassals of Iran and legitimate targets of war. This applies to Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon’s fractured government. “The United States, for its part, must ensure Israel has the freedom of maneuver to target and destroy Iran’s military and logistical lifelines. And America should move quickly to restore Israel’s munitions stockpiles. “As I expect the incoming administration already knows, this means removing restrictions on the sale of needed weapons like 2000-pound smart bombs. “But there’s a broader, more fundamental lesson I hope we’ll take away from Israel’s stunningly successful campaign against Hizballah – it’s about the credibility of threats. “It was Israel’s bold and decisive operations, not the overly cautious calls for restraint from Washington, that made a cessation of hostilities possible. The Jewish state has left Iran no reason to doubt Israel’s capacity and willingness to protect its citizens and restore its sovereignty by force. “America ought to apply this lesson to our own approach to the Iran-backed groups that continue to attack American forces across the region. And to Ukraine, as well. Too many in Washington still believe that the path to peace lies in restraining our friends. “The evidence of coordination between our adversaries – China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea – is incontrovertible. It’s high time that America’s support for our friends carried real weight.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=38E31512-AF02-42D7-B6CD-3096D4BD8B98,"McConnell On Judges Un-Retiring: ‘If You Play Political Games, Expect Political Prizes.’",2024-12-02,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding judicial nominees: “Just before Thanksgiving, the Senate reached a deal on judicial nominees. “Republicans would forego our available procedural roadblocks on the remaining nominations to district courts—which have the votes to be confirmed—and in exchange the Democratic Leader won’t bring any of the remaining nominations to circuit courts to the floor—because they don’t have the votes to be confirmed. “As a result, President Biden is getting around a dozen more district judges and the next president will get four more circuits to fill. At least, I expect he will. “We have already seen two partisan Democrat district judges ‘un-retire’ after the American people voted to fire Democrats last month. This is noteworthy. Looking to history, only two judges have ever ‘un-retired’ after a presidential election—one Democrat in 2004, and one Republican in 2009. “But now, in just a matter of weeks, Democrats have already met that all-time record. “It’s hard to conclude that this is anything other than open partisanship. “They rolled the dice that a Democrat could replace them and now that he won’t, they’re changing their plans to keep a Republican from doing it. “It’s a brazen admission. And the incoming administration would be wise to explore all available recusal options with these judges, because it’s clear now that they have a political finger on the scale. “This sort of partisan behavior undermines the integrity of the judiciary. It exposes bold Democratic blue where there should only be black robes. “But it would be especially alarming if either of the two circuit judges whose announced retirements created the vacancies currently pending before the Senate—in Tennessee and North Carolina—were to follow suit. “Never before has a circuit judge unretired after a presidential election. It’s literally unprecedented. And to create such a precedent would fly in the face of a rare bipartisan compromise on the disposition of these vacancies. “It was no surprise to hear the New York Times bemoan this deal. But its editorial didn’t doubt that these vacancies now properly belong to the next President. “To borrow from President Obama, elections have consequences. But those consequences are for the political branches of government. For sitting judges to change their announced retirement plans because of presidential election results or the Senate Executive Calendar puts them three zip codes away from their proper judicial role. “If these circuit judges unretire because they don’t like who won the election, I can only assume they will face significant ethics complaints based on Canons 2 and 5 of the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges, followed by serial recusal demands from the Department of Justice. And they’ll have earned it. “As I have repeatedly warned the judiciary in other matters, if you play political games, expect political prizes. “So let’s hope these judges do the right thing and enjoy their well-earned retirements. “Leave the politics to the political branches, where we just demonstrated that even on an issue as contentious as judicial nominations, both sides can still come together for a good deal.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=7C3C9D9A-A948-4D2D-88E0-3DD1F950B9EC,"McConnell: It’s Well Past Time For The Senate To Pass NDAA, Government Funding",2024-12-02,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding outstanding business: “The Senate has three weeks to complete some of the most important business of the year. And at this late hour, we’ll have to act on legislation that comes to us from the House. “But let’s be absolutely clear: December drama is not the way to demonstrate we’re serious about our most basic governing responsibilities. “With the exception of urgent supplemental assistance to states and communities hit hard by natural disasters in recent months, essential and predictable annual assignments like the NDAA and government funding are now well overdue. “Our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee completed their work on the NDAA back in June. They conducted extensive hearings, considered a wide array of amendments, and – thanks to the work of Ranking Member Wicker – secured an increase to topline authorization with bipartisan support. “They handed the legislation off to the Democratic Leader with months to spare. “Similarly, in the Appropriations Committee worked diligently to present full-year funding bills ahead of the start of the fiscal year. I’m particularly proud of the work of committee Republicans, under Vice Chair Collins’ leadership, to secure higher topline funding for the national defense. “The most important power in the Senate is the power to set our agenda. Only the Majority Leader holds that power. “And last year, the Majority Leader said publicly that ‘The United States is ready to compete vigorously with the PRC.’ “The overwhelming consensus of U.S. national security experts contradicts that view. “But even if we once were ready to compete and deter aggression from the adversaries who are working together to threaten us… “…Letting critical national security legislation collect dust for months while the Senate rubber-stamps radical nominees is one heck of a way to sustain that elusive readiness or project American resolve. “The full Senate was denied a chance to work its will on the NDAA. “As a result, the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee was forced to negotiate against the House’s much lower top line for defense spending from a weaker position. “The same is true for Defense appropriations and Vice Chair Collins’ efforts. “As Ranking Member Wicker has pointed out repeatedly, we’ve got a lot of work to do to repair America’s military and rebuild our defense industrial base. “And finishing urgent business in December won’t be cause for celebration. “It’ll just be the end of an utterly avoidable delay.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=183CABD6-B9D0-41B8-B197-52ACB0146A45,McConnell Announces Kentucky Selected as U.S. Army TNT Production Facility,2024-11-08,2024,2024-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"MUHLENBERG COUNTY, KY – At a press conference today, U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced the U.S. Army will award Repkon USA $435,000,000 to construct a Trinitrotoluene (TNT) production facility in Graham, Kentucky, the first domestic source of TNT in the United States since the 1980s. Senator McConnell was instrumental in securing this investment, a top strategic priority for the U.S. Army, through his work to shepherd the FY 2024 National Security Supplemental to Senate passage. Senator McConnell was joined by U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Repkon USA, Army officials, and County Judge-Executive Mack McGehee for the announcement in Muhlenberg County. TNT is a critical explosive our military uses for artillery shells, bombs, grenades, and other materiel. The Muhlenberg County facility will utilize state-of-the-art technology, maximizing the use of automation and digitization, and a novel waste neutralization process. “For the first time in decades, America will produce TNT on its own soil, manufacturing the explosive material our military uses for everything from hand grenades to 155mm artillery. I’m proud that the National Security Supplemental I championed in the Senate will bring home $435 million in federal funding to establish this TNT capability right here in Kentucky, helping retool the defense industrial base our military relies on. Through this partnership with the Army and Repkon USA, our state is proving once again that we have the infrastructure, workforce, and logistics edge to take on projects critical to our national defense,” said Senator Mitch McConnell. “Working alongside Congressman Guthrie and CJE McGehee, I will continue to ensure Western Kentucky always punches above its weight.” “I was proud to support today’s announcement of a significant military investment in Muhlenberg County led by Leader McConnell and joined by Repkon USA President Bryan Van Brunt, Muhlenberg County Judge-Executive Mack McGehee, and Department of Defense officials. This critical investment in Muhlenberg County will not only make a direct and positive economic impact on our community bringing in more than 50 jobs, but will also help to reshore our military supply chains by producing TNT on American soil for the first time in decades. I am pleased to support this project and the partnership that is now formed between our Western Kentucky Community, the Army and Repkon USA,” said Congressman Guthrie. “Today marks the beginning of the return of TNT production to American soil, a capability we have not had since 1986. This history making initiative underscores our commitment to strengthening our national security and reducing reliance on foreign sources for critical materials. A domestic source of TNT is a crucial step in strengthening and building resilience in our Defense Industrial Base to ensure our armed forces have timely access to essential resources,” said Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition and Commanding General of Picatinny Arsenal located in New Jersey. “I would like to thank Senator McConnell and fellow members of Congress for placing their trust and confidence in the Army and the men and women of Picatinny Arsenal who work tirelessly to support the Warfighter. The authorities and resourcing entrusted to us is clearly reenergizing the defense industrial base and is enabling our efforts to rebuild the Arsenal of Democracy and we look forward to the continued partnership with Repkon USA and the great people from Kentucky in making this new facility a reality.” “Repkon USA is honored to perform this project for the US Army. This is a historic opportunity to build a brand new domestic capability that is vital to our military services and will be used for decades to come. We are grateful to leaders at the Army for their trust in us to establish this facility, and to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell for his steadfast leadership and advocacy on behalf of our nation's military, without which we would not be here today,” said Bryan Van Brunt, President, Repkon USA Holdings, Inc.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:02:12Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/11/comer-we-must-uphold-our-solemn-pledge-to-care-for-our-nation-s-veterans,Comer: We Must Uphold Our Solemn Pledge to Care for Our Nation’s Veterans,2024-11-07,2024,2024-11,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) published an op-ed recognizing Veterans in Kentucky's 1st Congressional District and their unwavering dedication and service to this country. As the nation prepares for Veterans Day, Congressman Comer discusses his commitment to advocating for the men and women who fought to safeguard our freedoms. . Read Congressman Comer’s op-ed below: .",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=1EC5405A-B253-430B-A548-B83ACEE81707,McConnell Statement On The Passing Of Bernie Marcus,2024-11-05,2024,2024-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today on the passing of Bernard “Bernie” Marcus: “Elaine and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Bernie Marcus, a good friend and a great American. “Bernie’s life story bears every hallmark of the American dream. A son of immigrants made something out of nothing, and now leaves his entire nation better than he found it. This is especially true of Bernie’s adopted home of Atlanta, Georgia, where he built a great American company and where he returned so many of the fruits of his success in generous philanthropy. “Creating an engine of hundreds of thousands of American jobs is a monumental legacy, in itself. But Bernie rightly took greatest pride in honoring the Jewish calling of “tzedakah”, making a tremendous difference for worthy causes – from autism and cancer research to veteran and community support. “Countless lives improved and saved are an enduring testament to Bernie Marcus’ generosity. Today, we join his wife, Billi, and the entire Marcus family in remembrance of a big heart and a life well lived.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:02:12Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-files-bipartisan-bicameral-amicus-brief-urging-supreme-court-to-restore-federal-accountability-in-wrong-house-raid-case/,"Dr. Rand Paul Files Bipartisan, Bicameral Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court to Restore Federal Accountability in Wrong-House Raid Case",2024-11-01,2024,2024-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 1, 2024 Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 Dr. Rand Paul Files Bipartisan, Bicameral Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court to Restore Federal Accountability in Wrong-House Raid Case WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), alongside Representatives Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Nikema Williams (D-GA-5), Thomas Massie (R-KY-4), and Dan Bishop (R-NC-8) filed a bipartisan, bicameral amicus brief, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Martin v. United States and address the alarming gap in federal accountability created by the Eleventh Circuit’s ruling in this case. This case centers around a mistaken, forceful raid by federal agents who entered the wrong home in the early hours of the morning. The family inside was jolted awake by a flashbang grenade exploding within their walls. This raid left the family not only traumatized but physically harmed. Despite the evident toll on these innocent individuals and the assault that they suffered, the Eleventh Circuit’s ruling currently bars them from any avenue for recourse under the FTCA, even though Congress designed this law in the wake of several wrong house raids to ensure accountability for federal overreach. This brief asserts that the Eleventh Circuit’s interpretation of the FTCA contradicts the FTCA’s legislative intent and threatens Americans’ protections against federal overreach. “Congress specifically designed the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to ensure that individuals harmed by government overreach—such as the wrongful raiding of an innocent person’s home—have a means of recourse. By blocking Trina Martin’s right to seek redress, the Eleventh Circuit’s decision not only undermines Congress’ intent and the FTCA’s fundamental purpose but also establishes troubling precedent that places government actions beyond accountability, compromising Americans’ rights. We must ensure that when the government makes a mistake, citizens can hold it accountable and seek justice. This case is a critical step in preserving that protection,” said Dr. Rand Paul. “Through the Federal Tort Claims Act, Congress provided a remedy for federal wrong-house raids, but the Eleventh Circuit has taken it away,” explained Patrick Jaicomo, a Senior Attorney at the Institute for Justice, which represents the innocent family. “The brief filed by members of Congress today confirms the availability of that federal remedy, and that the constitutional role of the courts is to enforce—not revoke—the remedy Congress has provided.” In Martin v. United States, the Eleventh Circuit ruled that victims of the wrong-house raid could not recover damages due to the Supremacy Clause, despite the FTCA’s purpose to hold federal law enforcement accountable for wrongful actions. Congress introduced the FTCA’s law enforcement provision specifically to protect citizens harmed in cases like these, yet the Eleventh Circuit’s stance nullifies that protection, leaving innocent citizens vulnerable. The Supremacy Clause was intended to assert the primacy of federal statutes—not to obstruct claims explicitly permitted by Congress. The bipartisan, bicameral brief makes it clear that if the Eleventh Circuit’s interpretation is upheld, it will fundamentally undermine the FTCA’s role in federal accountability, allowing agents to act with impunity and without fear of recourse from innocent citizens. By granting review and overturning the Eleventh Circuit’s decision, the Supreme Court would reinforce the FTCA as Congress intended—empowering Americans to hold federal agents accountable for intentional harms, particularly in cases like these that carry such personal and constitutional significance. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:02:12Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-joins-call-for-potus-to-engage-on-stalled-u-s-china-adoptions/,Dr. Rand Paul Joins Call for POTUS to Engage on Stalled U.S.-China Adoptions,2024-11-01,2024,2024-11,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 1, 2024 Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 Dr. Rand Paul Joins Call for POTUS to Engage on Stalled U.S.-China Adoptions 103 members of Congress amplify adoptive families’ plea to Biden: ‘Your leadership could be life altering for these families’ WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD) to urge President Biden to stand up for families navigating the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) decision to end intercountry adoptions for those without Chinese familial ties. Representatives Erin Houchin (R-IN-9) and Val Hoyle (D-OR-4) are co-leading the bipartisan effort, which garnered a total of 103 bicameral signatories, in the House of Representatives. “We request that you act in the best interest of these children and families by urging the PRC to fulfill and uphold the commitment the country has made,” the lawmakers wrote, noting approximately 300 children in the PRC – some with various health conditions – are already paired with families in the United States. “The American families that have been matched with their adoptive children are prepared to meet their long-term medical and emotional needs, and to give them the love and nurturing they need,” they continued. “Many of these children know that they have a home, which in many cases have been prepared for their arrival since the families were notified that they were matched and moving forward with the adoption process.” Dr. Paul and his colleagues also acknowledged the PRC may complete adoptions for families in some countries, per a State Department notice last week. They called on President Biden to ensure such an action would pertain to the United States, too.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:02:12Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=9E266722-594B-4F6B-A2C0-D27D33D7B027,Leader McConnell Comments on Gov. Beshear's Call to Abolish Electoral College,2024-10-31,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"LOUISVILLE, KY - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement regarding Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear's comments today in support of abolishing the Electoral College: ""I wish I could say I’m surprised by Governor Beshear’s latest calls to abolish the Electoral College – but I’m not. Democrats’ disregard – and borderline disdain – for the constitutional guardrails that safeguard our political system has lurked below the surface of their rhetoric for a long, long time. ""No institution is too dear if it stands between a Democrat and their progressive ‘reforms’ to ‘preserve democracy’ – the standard euphemism for partisan power grabs on the Left. Those genuinely concerned about the future of our country should call for strengthening our constitutional guardrails, not obliterating them. ""At its core, the Electoral College protects Americans from the whims of the majority, something I’m familiar with in the Senate. It’s what makes our democracy, and our sprawling nationwide elections, feasible. And it’s what compels presidents to govern nationally rather than pandering to the interests of New York and California. Without it, no presidential candidate would ever travel to a small state in Middle America, like Kentucky.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=6658802F-C655-40C9-BDCC-761E76134F82,McConnell Helps Secure $1 Million in Federal Funding for Capital City Airport in Frankfort,2024-10-30,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the U.S. Department of Transportation will provide $1 million to the Capital City Airport in Frankfort, Kentucky to support the redevelopment of the terminal. According to airport officials, the federal funding will be used to construct a new, modern two-story facility that will expand passenger access, increase airfield safety, and support aviation career training programs. Senator McConnell contacted the U.S. Secretary of Transportation in support of the airport’s competitive grant application for this project. The federal grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Terminal Program, established in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Senator McConnell led the IIJA to Senate passage in 2021, and the President signed the bill into law. The IIJA gives Kentucky billions of federal dollars over five years to improve the Commonwealth’s roads, bridges, railroads, riverports, airports, broadband, and more.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=BBE57EB5-72F0-4D8B-8690-DE85AD504C7C,"Barr, Gonzalez Introduce CFPB CID Reform Legislation",2024-10-29,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC – On Friday, U.S. Representatives Andy Barr (R-KY-06) and Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX-34) introduced the Civil Investigative Demand Reform Act of 2024. This bipartisan legislation would reform the process the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) uses when issuing civil investigative demands (CIDs) to financial services providers to ensure these industry participants are given due process. Through the extortionary CID request, the CFPB issues broad information requests that amount to a fishing expedition without specific evidence of wrongdoing. This legislation would require the CFPB to explicitly reference any alleged violations as well as allow companies the ability to raise concerns such as vagueness or undue burden of CIDs. The CFPB would then have 20 days to narrow or justify their CID. Additionally, financial firms would be able to bring CIDs to federal court for relief if the CFPB denies a reasonable petition to modify or set aside a demand. Finally, the legislation would impose a 6-year statute of limitations on CIDs. “Recent activity shows that the CFPB has abused its ability to examine consumer financial services providers through CIDs by producing vague statements of purpose without specifying alleged wrongful conduct; ultimately limiting procedural relief available to respondents,” said Congressman Barr. “The financial services industry needs to comply with the CFPB’s CIDs, but they also have the right to know what the CFPB is asking for and what it is pursuant to a stated violation. The Civil Investigative Demand Reform Act of 2024 will give industry the regulatory clarity they deserve.” “Small financial institutions are vital to our local economies as they provide greater loan access and financial stability to many,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “I’m proud to join Congressman Barr and introduce the Civil Investigative Demand Reform Act of 2024. This bipartisan legislation will ensure that our financial institutions can provide important services to our communities by reducing burdensome bureaucratic barriers while still prioritizing consumer safety.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-morgan-mcgarvey-returns-over-5-million-to-louisvillians,Congressman Morgan McGarvey Returns Over $5 Million to Louisvillians,2024-10-29,2024,2024-10,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"LOUISVILLE, KY (October 29, 2024) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) announced that his team has closed nearly 2,500 constituent cases since taking office last year, saving Louisvillians over $5 million in benefits, backpay, and owed federal dollars. “Whether it’s making sure veterans receive their earned benefits or clearing up an issue with a passport renewal, Team McGarvey is here to help,” said Rep. McGarvey. “My constituent service team works hard to quickly and compassionately to resolve federal issues on behalf of Louisville families, and over the past two years, we’ve been able to close nearly 2,500 of these cases and put $5,000,000 back in constituents’ pockets. It’s an incredible milestone, and I’m proud of the positive impact our work has had on the lives of our fellow Louisvillians.” See what constituents are saying about the help they received below: “I waited 9 months for survivors benefits from Social Security, then I called these amazing people and I received it in 3 days. Thank you so much” - Sherry O. “I wanted to thank you for your incredible support with my brother’s complicated case involving the Embassy and USCIS. Your prompt and effective handling made a significant difference, and we are truly grateful for your assistance. Your dedication and swift action were greatly appreciated. Thank you for your outstanding support!” - Ibrahim W. “I had given up any possibility of going on my trip to Antigua. I had been trying to change my last name on my passport for 5 months. I could never talk to anyone at the passport customer service center that could clearly answer any of my questions, so I was mailing forms back and forth constantly. My travel agent suggested, with 12 days to spare, that I reach out to my local Congressman’s office. I honestly didn’t think they would be able to assist me but boy was I wrong!! Within minutes of them inquiring on my behalf, they were informed that my passport would be printed, and they were also provided tracking information. This was on Monday, TUESDAY my passport was in Louisville. I do not believe this would have happened if not for the quick and efficient help received from this office. I can’t thank them enough!!” - Bridgette M. ""Exceptional! Your professionalism and efficiency have lifted so much stress that my family was going through. Your timely updates were invaluable. Grateful for your help.” - Mohammad M. For more casework success testimonials, click here. For assistance with a federal agency, please visit mcgarvey.house.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/10/photo-release-congressman-comer-receives-friend-of-farm-bureau-award-in-calloway-county,Photo Release: Congressman Comer Receives Friend of Farm Bureau Award in Calloway County,2024-10-28,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – On Saturday, October 26, 2024, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) was presented the “Friend of Farm Bureau” award at Furches Farm in Calloway County by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The award recognizes Congressman Comer’s work and unwavering support for the agriculture industry in the 118th Congress. Presenting the award was Sharon Furches with Calloway County Farm Bureau and Glenn Howell with Fulton County Farm Bureau. .",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=43C5F7B1-9489-4B0D-8E12-6A901ED4D699,Congressman Rogers Announces Approval of Letcher Prison Construction,2024-10-28,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"ROXANA, Ky. – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers announced that the Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) next federal prison facility has been approved for construction in Letcher County. Colette Peters, BOP Director, published her official Record of Decision in the Federal Register on Monday, approving the medium-security prison facility and camp for construction in Roxana. Director Peters called Congressman Rogers on Friday to share the good news. “I’m thrilled that the many years of hard work by local leaders in Letcher County have paid off. They have improved broadband and strengthened local infrastructure, in effort to show the BOP that they were committed to supporting a new prison and the hundreds of jobs it will bring to the region,” said Congressman Rogers. “Director Peters said the BOP is going to build a new modern, state-of-the-art facility in Letcher County that focuses on safety and wellness.” According to the Record of Decision, the BOP will acquire approximately 500 acres of land in Roxana, Kentucky to construct and operate a new Federal Correctional Institution and Federal Prison Camp. It will be designed to house a population of 1,408 adults in custody. The decision cites the need for a new modern facility in light of the BOP’s “growing number of aged and obsolete federal correctional facilities, which are no longer cost-effective or sustainable to operate and maintain.” In August, Congressman Rogers and the Letcher County Planning Commission hosted BOP Director Peters and her staff in Letcher County for a regional meeting, including leaders from seven neighboring counties, to discuss ongoing economic development to prepare for the prison, including the region’s workforce. “We have worked for nearly 20 years to bring these much-needed jobs to Letcher County. Regardless of the decision, our county has benefitted from all the improvements that have been made to prepare for this prison. I can’t thank Congressman Rogers enough for believing in us and being our champion along the way,” said Elwood Cornett, cofounder of the Letcher County Planning Commission. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Rogers has secured and protected more than $500 million for construction of the Letcher County FCI and Camp. Congressman Rogers said the BOP estimated it will take about one year for design work and property acquisitions before construction can begin for the facility in Roxana. The Federal Bureau of Prisons currently employs more than 1,300 people in Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District, investing more than $83.7 million each year in wages in our region. For more information about Congressman Rogers' work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media. Photo: Elwood Cornett, BOP Director Colette Peters & Congressman Rogers discuss the proposed Letcher County FCI & Camp after a regional meeting, Aug. 30, 2024",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=605CA0C0-47DC-43B6-9CA5-64F509A6B08D,McConnell Announces Over $38 Million in Federal Funding for Kentucky’s Railroads,2024-10-28,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation will award $32,183,290 to the R.J. Corman Railroad Group and $6,492,000 to the Louisville and Indiana Railroad Company (LIRC) through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. R.J. Corman will use today’s award to rehabilitate tracks across multiple rail lines in Central and Western Kentucky, enhancing the efficiency and timeliness of its rail operations. The federal funding awarded to LIRC will support critical repairs to Clagg Bridge, an important rail bridge traversing the Ohio River between Louisville, Kentucky and Clarksville, Indiana that services both rail and waterway traffic. Today’s awards are funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as well as annual appropriations from Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024. Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, contacted the U.S. Secretary of Transpiration in support of both railways’ competitive grant applications and advocated for CRISI funding in both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the annual appropriations process. ""As a transportation and logistics hub, Kentucky’s railroads have been the linchpin of economic growth for generations of workers and job creators in the Commonwealth. The grants announced today will increase the speed, efficiency, and safety on two of Kentucky’s keystone rail operations, improvements that support good jobs and commerce across our state. I supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law precisely for projects like these, and I’ll continue to be a fierce advocate for Kentucky’s railroads, riverports, and waterways in years to come,"" said Senator McConnell. ""We are incredibly grateful to the Federal Railroad Administration for this grant, as well as to Senator McConnell, officials, and communities that supported this initiative. This partnership with R. J. Corman and Logan Aluminum underscores the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors. By leveraging federal infrastructure dollars alongside private investment, we are maximizing economic development opportunities for rail infrastructure in Kentucky. These enhancements will not only strengthen our ability to serve our customers but will also benefit a range of manufacturing companies and industries in central Kentucky. By improving the transportation of key commodities—such as agricultural products, automotive components, and raw materials—this project will bolster the region’s economy, expand market access, and enhance the overall efficiency of our supply chain,"" said R. J. Corman Railroad Group President and CEO Ed Quinn.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=08B94C77-71AB-4941-93A0-3319D506C4EE,Congressional Taiwan Caucus Co-Chairs Express Concern Over South Africa's Request to Relocate Taiwan Liaison Office,2024-10-25,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representatives Andy Barr (R-KY), Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, issued a statement expressing concern over South Africa's request to relocate Taiwan Liaison Office: ""South Africa's demand that Taiwan relocate its liaison office from Pretoria raises serious concerns about the extent of the PRC's influence in South Africa's affairs. We urge the South African government to reconsider this decision and reconfirm its commitment to its democratic partner Taiwan."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=5CBC805B-A26E-4098-B09A-182D1EF4B193,Leader McConnell and Speaker Johnson to VP Harris: End The Dangerous Rhetoric,2024-10-25,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Leader McConnell and Speaker Johnson released the following statement: “This summer, after the first attempted assassination of a presidential candidate in more than a century, President Biden insisted that ‘we cannot allow this violence to be normalized.’ In September, after President Trump escaped yet another close call, Vice President Harris acknowledged that ‘we all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence.’ “These words have proven hollow. In the weeks since that second sobering reminder, the Democratic nominee for President of the United States has only fanned the flames beneath a boiling cauldron of political animus. Her most recent and most reckless invocations of the darkest evil of the 20th century seem to dare it to boil over. The Vice President's words more closely resemble those of President Trump's second would-be assassin than her own earlier appeal to civility. “The man who was caught waiting in ambush in Florida left others with a chilling call to arms: ‘It is up to you now to finish the job’. Labeling a political opponent as a ‘fascist,’ risks inviting yet another would-be assassin to try robbing voters of their choice before Election Day. “Vice President Harris may want the American people to entrust her with the sacred duty of executive authority. But first, she must abandon the base and irresponsible rhetoric that endangers both American lives and institutions. We have both been briefed on the ongoing and persistent threats to former President Donald Trump by adversaries to the United States, and we call on the Vice President to take these threats seriously, stop escalating the threat environment, and help ensure President Trump has the necessary resources to be protected from those threats.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/10/comer-oversight-committee-delivered-transparency-accountability-and-solutions-for-the-american-people,"Comer: Oversight Committee Delivered Transparency, Accountability, and Solutions for the American People",2024-10-24,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON- Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) published an op-ed highlighting the accomplishments of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability during the 118th Congress. As Chairman of the Committee, Congressman Comer restored the House Oversight Committee to its proper role of rooting out waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in the federal government and holding the Biden-Harris Administration accountable. .",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=064493E9-CF8B-48C2-9A63-B8B5A00E57DB,McConnell Statement on the Passing of Senator Johnnie Turner,2024-10-23,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Kentucky State Senator Johnnie Turner: “Elaine and I were saddened to hear of the passing of our friend, Senator Johnnie Turner. Throughout his service to Kentucky and the nation – in the U.S. Army, the State House, and the State Senate, representing Eastern Kentucky’s communities – Johnnie lived his life for others. In recent years, I remember crossing paths with Johnnie to survey the damage left by the devastating floods that hit Eastern Kentucky. Johnnie was on the scene, ankle-deep in mud, his equipment from home in tow, ready to help folks in Letcher County. That’s just who he was: a good man who loved the mountains and its people. We send our condolences to the entire Turner family, Johnnie’s colleagues in the Senate, and all those touched by his service.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=6EAAAF11-2470-407A-A52E-3A4C5E9F84A4,"McConnell Helps Secure Over $500,000 in Federal Funding for Workforce Development Facility in Western Kentucky",2024-10-22,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) will award $509,000 to the Murray-Calloway Industrial Development Authority (MCIDA) through the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program. Today’s funding will support the development of a skills training and workforce development facility for underemployed and unemployed workers in the community, which will help boost the earning potential of program participants and address worker shortages in the region. This federal funding is made possible through a DRA assistance program, which is funded by the FY2023 government funding bill and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, advocated for DRA funding in both the annual appropriations process and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Senator also wrote a letter to Dr. Corey Wiggins, Federal Co-Chair of the Delta Regional Authority, in support of this project. “Last year’s government funding bill, as well as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provide big investments for Western Kentucky’s communities, including assistance for Murray and Calloway counties’ first workforce development facility. This project will help hardworking Kentuckians get back to work in their communities while addressing the growing needs of job creators in the Commonwealth. I was proud to support funding for this project and I'll continue to do what I can to ensure federal resources go toward Kentucky’s communities that need them most,” said Senator McConnell.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/10/media-advisory-congressman-comer-to-host-coffee-with-the-congressman-in-hickman-county,MEDIA ADVISORY: Congressman Comer to Host Coffee with the Congressman in Hickman County,2024-10-18,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, October 29, 2024, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) will host a “Coffee with the Congressman” at the Hickman County Cooperative Extension Service Office in Clinton, Kentucky at 10:30am CST. Constituents will have the opportunity to speak with Congressman Comer about local and national issues. Tuesday, October 29, 2024 10:30-11:30 AM CST Hickman County Cooperative Extension Service Office 329 James H. Phillips Drive Clinton, KY 42031",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/10/media-advisory-congressman-comer-to-host-coffee-with-the-congressman-in-monroe-county,MEDIA ADVISORY: Congressman Comer to Host Coffee with the Congressman in Monroe County,2024-10-18,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – On Monday, October 28, 2024, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) will host a “Coffee with the Congressman” at 8:00am CST in the 2nd Floor Court Room adjacent to his District Office located at the Monroe County Courthouse in Tompkinsville, Kentucky. Constituents will have the opportunity to speak with Congressman Comer about national issues. Monday, October 28, 2024 8:00 – 9:00 AM CST Monroe County Courthouse 2nd Floor Court Room (Adjacent to Congressman Comer’s District Office) 200 N. Main Street Tompkinsville, Kentucky 42167",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=5F17FC60-CD93-4816-9EC5-5E43F0356F9E,"Rogers, McConnell Introduce Legislation for Kentucky’s first National Heritage Area",2024-10-18,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"PIKEVILLE, KY – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers and U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell introduced mirroring legislation to designate the Kentucky Wildlands as Kentucky’s first National Heritage Area. Congressman Rogers announced the news on Friday during the annual SOAR Summit in Pikeville. “Our beautiful Appalachian Mountains in southern and eastern Kentucky are full of outdoor adventures, incredible wildlife, and communities filled with a rich heritage of talented musicians and artisans. The National Heritage System links our region to tourism benefits that will boost our economy, adding a national spotlight here at home,” said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House. “This legislation will be the final step in getting the designation to highlight our rich Appalachian culture in Kentucky, and I’m proud to partner with Senator McConnell to get it over the finish line.” “Securing Kentucky's first National Heritage Area has been a project years in the making, and I'm grateful to see our state move one step closer to securing this designation. I've been proud to partner with Congressman Hal Rogers over the years to help advance this effort and tap into Eastern Kentucky’s great potential. Our state’s Appalachian region deserves to be preserved for families to enjoy, and this project will help do just that while driving more visitors and economic activity into Eastern Kentucky communities,” said Senator Mitch McConnell. Last month, the National Park Service (NPS) determined that 35 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky are eligible to become part of the National Heritage System. It was the result of a feasibility study that Rogers and McConnell secured federal funding for in 2019. Eastern Kentucky PRIDE received a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in 2019 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 NPS study concluded that the region embodies the concepts of self-reliance, sustainability and community recognized as the foundation of central Appalachian identity. Through the area’s rich natural resources that fueled the rise of late 19th and 20th century industry, local musicians’ enduring influence on popular American music, the accomplishments of community-driven civic leaders, and the resilience of groups calling Eastern Kentucky home, the reach of the people and products of Kentucky Wildlands extends far beyond the mountainous terrain where they originate. The NPS determined the 35 counties directly supporting the themes for a potential NHA boundary include: Bath, Bell, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Clay, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Madison, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe. Within these counties, natural, cultural, historic and recreational resources support the overall landscape, cultural tradition of the area, and the nationally important heritage of the Kentucky Wildlands.? For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=EC065F38-D1D7-418D-9EC3-1527E5A78F4E,"Congressman Rogers, Gov. Beshear Announce More Than $30 Million To Support Economic Revitalization in Eastern Kentucky",2024-10-18,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"PIKEVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 18, 2024) – Today, U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) and Gov. Andy Beshear announced $30.2 million to help support Eastern Kentucky’s efforts to rebuild from natural disasters and boost economic growth in the region. Twelve recipients in eight counties are receiving the funds as part of the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program. When completed, the projects are expected to retain or create up to 250 jobs, train up to 1,000 Kentuckians annually and serve more than 100,000 people via tourism, infrastructure development or training opportunities. Projects receiving funding will expand quality health care throughout the region, provide clean drinking water for underserved communities, improve wastewater treatment facilities, enhance high-tech training and employment opportunities, and support economic development and tourism. “Kentucky’s economy has been on fire for several years now, and these projects are proof of the vitality of this region and the innovative thinking that is bringing jobs to Eastern Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “The work isn’t finished, and we have a lot more to do.” Congressman Rogers, who championed the program as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has overseen $1 billion in federal funding go to the AMLER since 2016, of which more than $224 million has been awarded to projects in 25 Kentucky counties. Once completed, these projects will have protected more than 3,000 new jobs for the region. “The AMLER grant program has invested nearly one quarter of a million dollars in Southern and Eastern Kentucky coal communities that are still working hard to rebound from the thousands of coal mining jobs that we have lost in recent years,” said Congressman Rogers, who authored the grant program for coal-producing states. “The program has become highly competitive in our region with innovative local projects that will generate revenue and new opportunities to help grow and sustain our rural communities.” Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman selected the projects for initial vetting by the U.S. Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE). Eighty-one applications for 2024 funding were received by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s (EEC) Division of Abandoned Mine Lands. “Each of these projects will make their communities stronger and peoples’ lives better,” Secretary Goodman said. “I appreciate the vision and effort that go into making each of them happen.” The projects selected for funding through the $28.66 million 2024 AMLER grant funding include: AdventHealth Manchester was selected to receive $3.89 million for Phase 1 of a hospital renovation project that will allow the Clay County facility to accommodate more patients, increase the capacity to care for patients with complex needs and increase employment opportunities in the region. “This funding will significantly enhance our ability to deliver whole-person care by expanding our capacity to serve patients and meet complex health care needs, in addition to creating new jobs in Clay County,” said Jamie Couch, the AdventHealth Manchester interim administrator/ vice president of operations. “We are grateful for the opportunity to improve health care access and contribute to the long-term health and prosperity of our community.” The city of Campton was selected to receive $2.54 million to extend a waterline and replace a booster pump station to serve 80 households in Wolfe County. “We are thrilled to receive $2.5 million in funding for the waterline extension project, which will significantly improve access to clean and reliable water for the residents in this section of the Hazel Green community,” said Mayor Kathi May. “This investment is not just in infrastructure but in the health, growth and future of our residents.” Letcher County Fiscal Court was selected to receive $3.3 million to build a waste digester system to allow solid waste collected in the county to be mixed with sewer sludge. This will create five to 10 new jobs while serving over 7,000 households. “Thanks for choosing our digester project for grant funding,” Letcher County Judge/Executive Terry Adams said. “When completed this will create new jobs in the county plus eliminate recyclable?material from going into a landfill. This process will be more environmentally friendly than current practice and could become a pilot program for other counties and municipalities.” Mine Made Adventures Lodge & Attractions in Knott County was selected to receive $1.7 million to develop new attractions such as a general store, a 1,750’ zipline, bathhouse and a 10,000-square-foot lodge. “Mine Made Adventures became a rest-haven for several families and volunteers in the immediate aftermath of the deadly flood in July 2022. We’re grateful for the opportunity to celebrate better days in Knott County as we continue to recover and rebuild a stronger community. This grant will go a long way to create new jobs and build a new multipurpose lodge as we host a growing number of events and tourists in our beautiful region,” said Knott County Judge/Executive Jeff Dobson. “I want to thank Congressman Rogers for the vision to create this grant program to help our coal communities. We’re proud of this project in Knott County and we appreciate Gov. Beshear and Secretary Goodman for supporting economic growth throughout the whole region.” Knott County Water and Sewer District was selected to receive $5.69 million to construct 16,000 feet of waterline, a pump station and storage tank and a lift station, along with 17,000 feet of sewer lines to service the planned 130 households and two businesses of the Olive Branch Residential Development Area Project. “We thank Gov. Andy Beshear, Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman, along with Congressman Hal Rogers, for this much needed funding,” said Don Gibson, KCWSD chairman. “This funding will assist in providing the opportunity for 130 new higher-ground houses in Knott County. It will also allow us to provide for economic growth by providing the opportunity for new jobs to be created in the area.” Boyd County Fiscal Court was selected to receive $2 million to engineer and design an access road to connect the Camp Landing entertainment district in Boyd County to the quarter horse racetrack at Sandy Ridge. “We are thankful to the selection committee for believing in what we are trying to accomplish in Boyd County,” said Boyd County Judge/Executive Eric Chaney. “This funding will help us maintain the momentum we’ve gained over the last few years and continue to push Northeast Kentucky to new heights.” Magoffin County was selected to receive $3.18 million for the engineering, design and site prep of the expansion of the TEK Center training campus at the Gifford Industrial Park. This project is expected to create 36 full-time permanent jobs and serve 400 students annually. “Receiving this funding is not just a milestone for the TEK Center, it’s a transformative opportunity for our entire community,” said Angelina Reynolds, president of the TEK Center. “With these resources, we can expand our services, create jobs and empower those around us to thrive. This investment not only enhances our educational offerings but also strengthens our community by equipping individuals with essential skills needed in today’s workforce.” The University of Pikeville was selected to receive $5 million for Phase 1 construction of a football stadium and soccer facility at Bear Mountain in Pike County. Once completed, the facilities will host regional athletic contests, concerts and community events including Hillbilly Days, and will serve 195 students. “The funding from AMLER represents more than just financial support – it’s a transformative investment in the future of our university and the surrounding community,” said Dr. Burton Webb, president of the University of Pikeville. “With the creation of Bear Mountain, we are building a legacy of innovation and opportunity that will benefit generations to come. This initiative will not only elevate UPIKE as a leader in creating an environment of wellness and recreation, but it will also ignite economic growth and enhance the quality of life for the entire region.” Four projects received reallocated AMLER funding: Floyd County Area Technology Center was selected to receive $812,000 to repair damage from mine drainage. The funds will be used for design and grading, new drainage controls, as well as repairs to tile, plumbing and lighting within the building. “Receiving this grant will have such a positive economic impact on Floyd County and surrounding areas,” said Floyd County Area Technology Center Principal Dr. Jeff Shannon. “These upgrades empower our Floyd County ATC students to reach their training goals and fill the many skilled trades positions in our region.” Pike County Fiscal Court was selected to receive $882,000 for the purchase of equipment for wood disposal, including a whole-tree chipper and an air curtain burner incinerator. This is projected to retain 68 jobs and create $1.5 million in landfill revenue and $5.5 million in trash pick-up revenue. Phase 1 will extend the landfill by 15 years while Phase 2 will extend it by an additional 35 years. “This grant is vital to making sure that the Pike County Landfill and our solid waste system can operate more efficiently and address long-standing issues related to the disposal of natural debris,” said Pike County Judge/Executive Ray S. Jones II. “Without a reliable and efficient solid waste system, our efforts to create jobs and bring new tourism opportunities to Pike County and Eastern Kentucky will be much more difficult.” The Salyersville Water Works in Magoffin County was selected to receive $700,000 to purchase and install approximately 1,000 radio-read water meters throughout the water system. This will create more efficient monitoring and reduce water loss. “Being able to bill correctly for services will completely turn things around at Salyersville Water Works (SWW),” said Salyersville Water Works Superintendent Nora Howard. “The new meters will take us from being in the negative to the positive. Salyersville and Magoffin County are growing, and with this project SWW will be able and ready to serve new business and development.” Floyd County Fiscal Court was selected to receive $500,000 for the installation of drainage controls, a sanitary sewer and access to parking areas on a site adjacent to U.S. Highway 23 in order to recruit new businesses. “The AML funding allocated to the U.S. 23 project is not just about environmental reclamation; it’s a catalyst for economic development in the region,” said Floyd County Judge/Executive Robbie Williams.?“Our goal is to transform underutilized spaces into opportunities for new business ventures, tourism and community growth. We thank Gov. Beshear and his staff for their continued commitment to assist our community.” ------ Information about the AMLER program can be found at AMLER or by contacting Mr. James Cable, director, Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands, 300 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, KY 40601. Office: 502-782-9913, e-mail: James.Cable@ky.gov. At SOAR, Congressman Rogers also celebrated the $40 million Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration federal award to Shaping Our Appalachian Region to connect Eastern Kentucky residents to resources and training for good jobs. Congressman Rogers also helped secure a $116 million federal grant to help complete the Mountain Parkway expansion, which will finalize the 13-mile stretch of new road between Magoffin and Floyd counties. At the 2023 SOAR Summit, Congressman Rogers and Gov. Beshear also presented more than $26.6 million in Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization program funds to support economic development projects in nine counties.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=7CBA2DA6-5E00-4D76-890B-168EF2DA1985,Congressman Rogers Announces $10 Million Earmark to Expand Morehead State University’s Space Science Network,2024-10-17,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,Harold Rogers,R000395,halrogers.house.gov,halrogers,https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Recognizes U.S. Lunar Mission “Saviors” with Congressional Tribute MOREHEAD, KY (Oct. 17, 2024) – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) visited Morehead State University’s Space Science Center on Thursday to announce a federal earmark totaling nearly $10 million in Community Project Funding to broaden the region’s highly competitive deep space network. The funding will be used to enhance the two space tracking stations on campus to support future government-funded and commercial space programs. “The staff and students at Morehead State are now involved in some of the United States’ most innovative and historic space missions. This project will allow the space science center to support future NASA programs, including NASA’s Near Space Network, Artemis and the Moon to Mars Program,” said Congressman Rogers, chairman of the House appropriations subcommittee that funds science-related federal agencies. “This means that students here at MSU will have first-hand access to more lunar and deep space tracking services that they cannot get anywhere else in the country.” “We are incredibly grateful for the support and leadership of Congressman Hal Rogers in securing this critical funding for Morehead State’s Space Science Program. His dedication to advancing science and technology in our region has been instrumental in positioning MSU as a leader in space research and exploration,” said Dr. Jay Morgan, President of Morehead State University. “This funding will allow us to expand our capabilities, provide our students with unmatched hands-on experiences, and contribute to the growing space economy in our region and in Kentucky. It’s an exciting time for Morehead State, and we thank Congressman Rogers for helping make this possible.” Congressman Rogers also requested a $7.5 million Community Project Funding earmark for fiscal year 2025 MSU’s Space Science Center to provide payload operations for government and commercial space stations. The funding request was approved by the House Appropriations Committee and is pending on-going budget negotiations. “This funding is a game-changer for Morehead State’s Space Science Program. It enables us to further enhance our research and technological capabilities, allowing our students and faculty to participate in groundbreaking projects that contribute directly to the future of space exploration,” said Dr. Ben Malphrus, Director of the MSU Space Science Center. “We’re deeply thankful to Congressman Hal Rogers for his vision and continued support, which is helping us shape the next generation of space scientists and engineers right here in Eastern Kentucky.” To highlight the importance of investing in Morehead State’s work at the Space Science Center, Congressman Rogers recognized the staff and students who saved the United States’ latest mission to the moon after a troubled landing damaged the Odysseus Lander, “Odie,” cutting-off communications back to Earth. “Morehead State was the only conduit between NASA and the private company that sent the lunar lander to the moon to conduct research. The multi-million-dollar mission was in jeopardy of failure, until the staff and students here in our Appalachian Mountains worked around the clock for 72 hours to save that historic mission,” said Congressman Rogers. “I submitted a tribute in the Congressional Record to commemorate the team that NASA Administrator Bill Nelson dubbed as the ‘saviors’ of the nation’s first lunar landing since the Apollo era.” The Congressional Record is preserved in the Library of Congress, recognizing the work of MSU staff members, Dr. Malphrus, Chloe Hart from Ashland, Emily Walter from Pikeville, Nathan Fite, Christopher Smith and Seifala Moustaffa, as well as students Mila Shearer and Carrie Bruce. For more information about Congressman Rogers work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=94EBB26E-0BD6-4687-ADD8-FB3BF843BD74,McConnell Secures Over $33 Million in Federal Funding for the Paducah and Louisville Railway,2024-10-17,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will provide $33,780,304 in federal funding to Paducah and Louisville (P&L) Transportation to support several infrastructure projects along its 280-mile main line between Louisville and Paducah, Kentucky; including upgrades to signals and track infrastructure, installation of a wheel truing machine, and rehabilitation of five rail bridges in Hardin and Muhlenberg Counties. DOT awarded this grant as part of the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program, which awards competitive grants for freight and highway projects. Senator McConnell helped secure $3.2 billion for the INFRA program in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which passed Congress with the Senator’s support and was signed into law by the President. Senator McConnell also wrote to the Secretary of Transportation in support of P&L Transportation’s grant application. The P&L main rail line connects with four major railroads in North America, transporting equipment for Kentucky’s military installations, materials used for manufacturing, and other freight vital to interstate commerce. “As a transportation and logistics hub, Kentucky keeps millions of American goods and people on the move. From strengthening our regional economy to facilitating interstate commerce nationwide, our rail infrastructure – and investments to sustain it – has benefits that ripple across the entire country. Projects like this one are precisely the reason I supported the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has delivered billions for Kentucky’s roads, ports, railroads, and waterways. I look forward to watching this much-needed investment spur development along the entire P&L corridor,” said Senator McConnell. “P&L is excited to continue our work to rebuild critical freight railroad infrastructure. This project will benefit all Kentuckians by keeping employers in the Commonwealth connected to markets around the world. I want to especially thank Senator McConnell for all of his hard work to ensure that Kentucky infrastructure projects receive their fair share of funding. These projects and the funding announced today would not be possible without his support,” said Chairman, President, and CEO of P&L Transportation Tom Greene. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-morgan-mcgarvey-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-help-expedite-veterans-appeals-claims-through-stronger-workforce,Congressman Morgan McGarvey Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Expedite Veterans Appeals Claims through Stronger Workforce,2024-10-16,2024,2024-10,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC (October 16, 2024) – Recently, Congressman Morgan McGarvey alongside Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL- 12) introduced H.R.9046, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act, which would allow the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) to increase the salary of its top attorneys to better recruit and retain experts in veterans law. “Veterans in Louisville and across the US deserve a speedy and efficient VA – especially when appealing a denied claim,” said Rep. Morgan McGarvey. “These decisions don’t come out of thin air, they require staffing by expert attorneys in veterans law which takes years to master. Whether in the public or private sector, the same principle applies: you can’t retain top talent by denying your employees competitive compensation. I’m proud to champion this bipartisan legislation to empower BVA with the tools needed to address the claims backlog, retain talented attorneys, and ensure our veterans get the benefits they’ve earned.” “Too often, the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) continues to be a roadblock for timely processing of VA claims,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “The Veteran Appeals backlog unnecessarily delays our nation’s heroes from accessing the benefits they’ve earned and is a concern that has been raised by many of my constituents. Our bill addresses BVA performance and staffing concerns by creating a level playing field with BVA and other federal agencies. When coupled with the quality assurance metrics and accountability measures we have recently pushed, this important piece of the legislation is a key part of the overall solution.” ""AFGE and the National Veterans Affairs Council commend Representative Morgan McGarvey and Representative Gus Bilirakis for leading H.R. 9046, the ‘Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act,’"" said Douglas Massey, President of AFGE Local 17 which represents Board of Veterans' Appeals attorneys. ""This critical legislation will both raise the career ladder of the dedicated board attorneys who diligently process veterans' appeals and will improve the recruitment and retention of experienced attorneys at the Board, which will greatly reduce the backlog of Veterans' appeals."" The Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) adjudicates appeals on veteran benefits, such as disability compensation and pension benefits. Though progress has been made, BVA is currently mired in a 200,000-case backlog with many citing staff turnover – due to lower relative compensation and lack of support by management – as the cause. In the May 2024 Partnership for Public Service “Best Places to Work in Federal Government” rankings, BVA ranked 444th out of 459. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act would allow BVA attorneys in non-supervisory roles to reach a GS-15 level on the federal pay scale, which represents about a $10,000 difference in salary from the current BVA cap of GS-14. Other entities within VA, such as the Office of General Counsel (OGC), allow non-supervisory attorneys to reach GS-15, often leading to attorneys “jumping” to OGC for higher pay. The legislation does not mandate new hiring or promotion of attorneys; it grants BVA the flexibility and tools to increase pay within its existing appropriations, just as in other entities at VA. Rep. McGarvey previously spoke about the need for the bill at a Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs legislative hearing, asking VA Deputy Under Secretary Glenn Powers about the bill here and asking Mr. Nicholas Keogh, 2nd Vice President, Local 17, American Federation Government Employees, about the bill here. The bill text is linked here. ### Congressman Morgan McGarvey represents Kentucky’s Third Congressional District, including Louisville and Jefferson County. He serves on the House Veterans Affairs and House Small Business Committees.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=8011787F-883E-4911-9B61-9D42B410E1C1,"McConnell Announces Nearly $2 Million for West Industrial Park in Russellville, Kentucky",2024-10-15,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the Logan Industrial Development Authority, Inc., in collaboration with Logan Economic Alliance for Development (LEAD), will receive $1,920,000 in federal funding to support the construction of a new two-lane roadway at the West Industrial Park in Russellville, Kentucky. Funded by the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bill, this federal grant is distributed through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, contacted the EDA in support of LEAD’s competitive grant application and advocated for EDA funding during the annual appropriations process. ""Impactful organizations like LEAD – and their work to drive industry into the Commonwealth – form an integral part of Western Kentucky’s growing economy. I was proud to work with LEAD to help bring home today’s funding which will lay the groundwork for new jobs and economic opportunity in Logan County. I look forward to seeing these funds go to good use and I'll continue to do what I can to ensure Western Kentucky is a place full of growth and opportunity,” said Senator McConnell.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=DAB6CE7B-BCD1-4FE3-A194-7DF84324DDCE,McConnell Statement On The Passing Of Tom Donohue,2024-10-14,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today on the passing of former U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue: “Elaine and I were saddened to learn of the passing of our good friend, Tom Donohue. Around Washington and across the country, so many people will remember Tom as exactly that: a friend. And no doubt, that is what Tom would prefer. “But those fortunate to call Tom a friend also knew a visionary leader, an extraordinary advocate, and a tireless builder of coalitions whose transformative work left the U.S. Chamber, the broader business community, and our entire nation stronger. “Job creators and entrepreneurs across America could hope for no greater partner than Tom. He was a seasoned navigator of the halls of power and a clearinghouse for professional connections who turned the Chamber into an unmatched champion of American enterprise. “Today, our prayers are with the entire Donohue family as they mourn an incredible life.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/10/congressman-comer-accepting-applications-for-military-academy-nominations,Congressman Comer Accepting Applications for Military Academy Nominations,2024-10-10,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) is accepting applications from individuals in Kentucky’s First Congressional District wishing to attend one of the United States Military Academies. Each year, Congressman Comer has the privilege of nominating a limited number of applicants to four of the five service academies. In addition to submitting an application to Congressman Comer’s office, individuals are required to apply directly to their desired academies. The deadline to submit an application to Congressman Comer’s office is Friday, October 25, 2024. . .",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=1B040BEB-33F6-4CA7-9933-E1AC8AF80FB7,McConnell Helps Secure Nearly $2 Million to Combat Opioid Abuse in Kentucky,2024-10-09,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"The funding comes from the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will distribute $1,908,214 to three Kentucky organizations through the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP). Baptist Health Foundation (Baptist Health) in Corbin, Kentucky, will receive $750,000, Memorial Hospital Inc. in Manchester, Kentucky will receive $500,000, and WestCare Kentucky in Ashcamp, Kentucky, will receive $658,214 through today’s distribution. Senator McConnell sent a letter of support to Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Carole Johnson on behalf of Baptist Health. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell supports funding for RCORP during the annual appropriations process. To date, the Senator has helped secure more than $700 million in competitive and block grant funding to combat drug abuse in Kentucky. “The substance abuse epidemic has hollowed out communities across the nation, especially here in the Commonwealth. Now more than ever it’s important that we utilize every tool we have to combat this crisis and save lives,” said Senator McConnell. “The funding announced today will help several Kentucky recovery centers fund programs that treat opioid addiction, helping Kentuckians struggling with substance abuse return to healthy and productive lives. I’m proud to support RCORP in the Senate and am glad to see its resources go to impactful organizations in the Commonwealth.” We are honored to be awarded federal funding that will allow us the opportunity to create new access points for mental health and addiction treatment and recovery services. Additionally, this grant will give us the resources to develop a workforce development plan aimed to address the shortage of addiction and mental health professionals in the region. We are extremely grateful to Senator McConnell for his advocacy for quality healthcare services that improve the quality of lives of Kentuckians,” said CEO of Baptist Health Gerard Colman. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/10/comer-presses-usda-for-answers-on-arbitrary-enforcement-of-horse-protection-act-seeks-transcribed-interview-with-key-official,"Comer Presses USDA for Answers on Arbitrary Enforcement of Horse Protection Act, Seeks Transcribed Interview with Key Official",2024-10-08,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON—Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) is continuing to conduct oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) enforcement of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) and its promulgation of a final rule titled Horse Protection Amendments. Information obtained by the Oversight Committee and recent actions at Tennessee Walking Horse shows reveals USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) may be exceeding its authority in inspections related to horse shows. In a letter to USDA Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack, Congressman Comer is now requesting that USDA make Dr. Aaron Rhyner, Assistant Director of APHIS, available to participate in a transcribed interview. . “The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is continuing to conduct oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) enforcement of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) and its promulgation of a final rule titled Horse Protection Amendments that will update USDA’s standards regarding the HPA. The Committee initiated its oversight due to concerns about USDA’s compliance with the HPA in light of recent actions at Tennessee Walking Horse shows. To further inform the Committee’s investigation, the Committee requests that USDA make Dr. Aaron Rhyner, Assistant Director of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), available to participate in a transcribed interview,” wrote Chairman James Comer. . The Committee received allegations that the Assistant Director of USDA’s APHIS sent an e-mail to horse show representatives on new competition inspection requirements two hours prior to a competition without warning or prior notification of forthcoming guidance. On August 9, 2024, Congressman Comer called on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to initiate a review of the USDA’s policies and practices regarding implementation of the HPA. In addition, the Committee sought documents and information to enable oversight of APHIS’s role in enforcing the HPA. To date, USDA has produced only limited documents in response to some of the Committee’s requests. . “It is imperative that USDA enforces HPA in a manner that is fair, consistent, and within the bounds of its statutory authority. The Committee is concerned about USDA’s compliance with the HPA, particularly considering allegations received by the Committee of arbitrary enforcement, lack of due process, and potential retribution against horse trainers and owners by disqualifying horses or changing inspection procedures at the last minute as retribution for filing a lawsuit. The Committee’s role in this oversight is to safeguard the integrity of HPA’s implementation and to protect the rights of those within the horse industry who depend on fair and consistent enforcement of the law as Congress intended. It is imperative that the Committee hear directly from Dr. Rhyner to understand USDA’s approach to HPA enforcement and any related policy changes.,” concluded Chairman James Comer. .",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=7FB3520D-AD56-4E27-B935-910B60EC1699,McConnell: The United States Must Recommit to Stand with Israel in its Righteous Fight,2024-10-07,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today regarding the one-year anniversary of the brutal terrorist attacks on Israel: “Time has not dulled the pain inflicted on the people of Israel one year ago today, nor eased the grief left in its wake. October 7th confronted the world with the irredeemable evil of Iran-backed terror, and drew emboldened strains of the world’s oldest hatred out of the shadows. “The Jewish state has met a year of trial with unshakeable resolve. In the face of resurgent anti-Semitism, Jewish families and communities around the world have refused to live in fear. And in steadfast vigil, families of innocent hostages have kept the faith. “Israel’s determined response to the barbaric attacks of October 7th casts in stark relief the difference between a sovereign democracy’s effort to minimize innocent suffering and savage terrorists’ effort to exploit it. No matter how many leaders or elite institutions attempt to draw moral equivalence, the difference is unmistakable. “The stakes of Israel’s fight against the terrorists surrounding it are as clear today as they were one year ago. So are the obligations of free societies across the civilized world. The terrorists and their patrons seek not only to destroy Israel, but to challenge the very American-led order that preserves our way of life. “Make no mistake: a future of peace in the Middle East must include a secure and sovereign Israel. There is no place in such a future for terrorists like Hamas, Hizballah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or the Houthis. Today, as Americans and free people around the world remember the victims of October 7th and pray for peace, let us recommit to stand with Israel in its righteous fight.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/10/media-advisory-congressman-comer-to-host-coffee-with-the-congressman-in-allen-county,MEDIA ADVISORY: Congressman Comer to Host Coffee with the Congressman in Allen County,2024-10-03,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) will host a “Coffee with the Congressman” at the Allen County Fiscal Court Room in Scottsville, Kentucky at 3:30pmCST. Constituents will have the opportunity to speak with Congressman Comer about local and national issues. Tuesday, October 15, 2024 3:30-4:30 PM CST Allen County Fiscal Court Room City-County Building 201 W. Main St. Scottsville, KY 42129",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/10/media-advisory-congressman-comer-to-host-coffee-with-the-congressman-in-metcalfe-county,MEDIA ADVISORY: Congressman Comer to Host Coffee with the Congressman in Metcalfe County,2024-10-03,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) will host a “Coffee with the Congressman” at the Old School Café in Edmonton, Kentucky at 8:00amCST. Constituents will have the opportunity to speak with Congressman Comer about local and national issues. Wednesday, October 16, 2024 8:00-9:30 AM CST Old School Café 701 W. Stockton St. Edmonton, KY 42129",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=9F6DF130-AFCF-410D-9F0A-9FB624C60CE0,McConnell Comments on the Passing of Elizabeth Tori,2024-10-03,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today on the passing of former Kentucky State Senator Elizabeth Tori: “Elaine and I were saddened to hear of the passing of former Kentucky State Senator Elizabeth Tori. The daughter of a veteran and wife of a retired Army Major, Elizabeth was a constant advocate for Kentucky’s active duty military and the many veterans who call the Commonwealth home. Serving Kentucky’s 10th District for over 16 years, Elizabeth was always looking for ways to improve the lives of our servicemembers and to give them the thanks they deserve. Now it’s our turn to give thanks to Elizabeth for all her years inside and outside the state legislature serving Kentucky’s veterans, students, and families. We send our condolences to Elizabeth’s four children and all her friends and family at this difficult time.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/10/congressman-comer-accepting-applications-for-spring-2025-internships,Congressman Comer Accepting Applications for Spring 2025 Internships,2024-10-02,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) is accepting Spring 2025 internship applications for college students interested in serving in his Washington, D.C. or Tompkinsville, Kentucky office. This opportunity provides local students with a unique chance to gain hands-on experience in public service and the deadline to apply for a Spring 2025 internship is Friday, November 1, 2024. 0 /",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/10/photo-release-congressman-comer-recognizes-franklin-county-law-enforcement-officers,Photo Release: Congressman Comer Recognizes Franklin County Law Enforcement Officers,2024-10-01,2024,2024-10,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky) recognized local Franklin County law enforcement officers for their commitment and efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. Mr. Shane Terrell, Mr. Ron Wyatt Jr., and Mr. Chris Quire were recently recognized by the National Sheriff’s Association and the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association for their work. . . Mr. Shane Terrell was the recipient of “Reserve Deputy of the Year” for the National Sheriff’s Association. . . Mr. Ron Wyatt Jr. was the recipient of “Deputy Sheriff of the Year” for the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association. . . Mr. Chris Quire was the recipient of “Sheriff of the Year” for the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=04197721-88B0-4DB0-964B-6944213D4D7F,Congressman Rogers Says Iranian Attack on Israel Requires Escalated Response from the US,2024-10-01,2024,2024-10,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 Iran attacked Israel on Tuesday with nearly 200 ballistic missiles. The Pentagon confirmed that the U.S. military coordinated closely with the Israeli Defense Forces to help defend Israel. Two US Navy destroyers deployed to the Middle East region supported the defense of Israel by firing approximately a dozen interceptors against the incoming Iranian missiles. ""I salute the United States Navy for intercepting Iranian missiles fired at Israel, protecting our allied nation from any further loss of life. This escalated attack by Iran magnifies the need for an escalated stance from the United States. Iran’s terrorist regime has grown even more defiant and emboldened under the weak Biden/Harris Administration. Iran must face severe consequences and full enforcement of U.S. sanctions to reaffirm that America will always stand with Israel and will not tolerate threats to our U.S. Troops in the region,"" said Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=9E72D574-EA58-4C8F-BE84-93DB027295B0,"McConnell: Iran, Proxies Must “Face Severe Consequences”",2024-10-01,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today regarding the Iranian attacks on Israel: “Israel has a right to defend itself against terrorists bent on destroying it. The United States must stand with our friend under fire. “The Biden Administration has repeatedly threatened Iran with ‘severe consequences’ for its campaign of terror against Israel and the United States, but failed to impose them. It has pledged ‘ironclad’ support for Israel, only to delay and withhold the security assistance that would give this pledge any weight. “It is not enough to issue statements. It is not enough to intercept missiles and drones moments before they reach civilians in Israel or U.S. personnel in the Red Sea. It is time for America to act like the friend of Israel we claim to be. It is time to replenish Israel’s supply of critical munitions. “It is time for the world’s leading architects of terror, and their proxies, to face severe consequences.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/9/comer-kentuckians-are-paying-far-too-much-for-life-saving-prescription-drugs-and-it-s-time-to-act,Comer: Kentuckians Are Paying Far Too Much for Life-Saving Prescription Drugs and it’s Time to Act,2024-09-30,2024,2024-09,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON- Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) published an op-ed on his Oversight Committee investigation which has exposed how the three largest Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)—CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and OptumRx—monopolized the pharmaceutical marketplace by deploying anticompetitive pricing tactics that are raising prescription drug prices, undermining community pharmacies, and harming patients across the United States. . Read Congressman Comer’s op-ed below: . As I travel across Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District, rarely a day goes by that I don’t hear from Kentuckians concerned about the high cost of prescription drugs. The numbers don’t lie. Cost of life-saving medications have gone up every single year for the past fifteen years. Americans now spend more on prescription drugs—about $1,200 per person—than any other country. Patient out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions were $91 billion in 2023 alone. This is definitely not what the doctor ordered. Despite these increases in healthcare costs, life expectancy in America has remained stagnant. That means someone is benefitting here, and it clearly isn’t Kentuckians. In 2021, I began to use the power of the House Oversight Committee to examine the pharmaceutical marketplace and the middlemen of the drug supply chain: pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). PBMs were first created to benefit the entire health care system. Dozens of large PBMs nationwide competed and initially provided clear details about costs, fees, and rebates to pharmacies and patients. But now, instead of fierce competition, three large PBMs—CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum Rx—collectively control 80 percent of the market. Today, these three PBMs operate in the dark and engage in self-benefitting practices that line their own pockets and pass the costs on to you. As Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, I recognized that Congress must act and made it a top priority to expose these anticompetitive tactics pushed by PBMs that are driving up the cost of prescription drug prices for all Americans. Over the course of my investigation, the Oversight Committee has collected over 140,000 pages of documents, communications, and information on America’s three largest PBMs. We now know PBMs share patient information and data across their many integrated companies for the specific and anticompetitive purpose of steering patients to pharmacies a PBM owns. We now know PBMs have sought to use their position to artificially reduce reimbursement rates for competing pharmacies. We now know PBMs push spread pricing schemes to overcharge plans and payers by hundreds of millions of dollars. We now know PBMs prioritize higher cost medications, even when there are lower-cost and equally safe and effective competing options. This evidence obtained by the Oversight Committee and released to the public shows PBMs raise prescription drug prices, like insulin, undermine our local pharmacies, and harm Kentuckians who need access to affordable medication. Since 2023, I have also led three Oversight Committee hearings to conduct oversight and examine these abusive PBM practices. I even dragged the Chief Executive Officers from the three largest PBMs before Congress. I made it clear their Pharmacy Benefit Mafia is coming to an end. I am working with my colleagues across the aisle to advance bipartisan solutions to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the PBM industry. I’m supporting the Pharmacists Fight Back Act, bipartisan legislation that aims to combat price gouging deployed by PBMs. Earlier this year, the Oversight Committee passed—with broad bipartisan support—the Delinking Revenue from Unfair Gouging (DRUG) Act which would reign in abusive practices by some PBMs that offer health plans under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) just announced it is taking action against the three largest PBMs and suing their group purchasing organizations for engaging in anticompetitive tactics that are inflating the price of insulin drugs. This move by the FTC is a direct result of the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into PBMs. Kentuckians and Americans across the nation deserve access to affordable, life-saving drugs. Republicans and Democrats on the House Oversight Committee will continue to consider legislative solutions to hold PBMs accountable. It’s time for PBMs to have a taste of their own medicine. Our work is not done. . Rep. James Comer is a United States Congressman for Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District and Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=7829DF50-643F-47A8-9178-E8F9FDF4655E,"Barr, Hagerty Sound Alarm on Europe's Regulator Encroachment",2024-09-27,2024,2024-09,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"The letter was co-signed by Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Thune (R-SD), John Barrasso (R-WY), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jim Risch (R-ID), Jerry Moran (R-KS), John Boozman (R-AR), Mike Lee (R-UT), Tim Scott (R-SC), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Braun (R-IN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Katie Britt (R-AL), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE), along with Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19), Dan Bishop (R-NC-08), Buddy Carter (R-GA-01), James Comer (R-KY-01), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-02), John Curtis (R-UT-03), Byron Donalds (R-FL-19), Jeff Duncan (R-SC-03), Tom Emmer (R-MN-06), Drew Ferguson (R-GA-03), Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI-05), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03), Mike Flood (R-NE-01), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02), Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09), Erin Houchin (R-IN-09), Bill Huizenga (R-MI-04), Young Kim (R-CA-40), Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23), Jake LaTurner (R-KS-02), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA-11), Dan Meuser (R-PA-09), Carol Miller (R-WV-01), Alex Moony (R-WV-02), Ralph Norman (R-SC-05), Zach Nunn (R-IA-03), Andy Ogles (R-TN-05), August Pfluger (R-TX-11), Bill Posey (R-FL-08), John Rose (R-TN-06), David Schweikert (R-AZ-01), Bryan Steil (R-WI-01), Claudia Tenney (R-NY-22), Glenn Thompson (R-PA-15), William Timmons (R-SC-04), Ann Wager (R-MO-02), Roger Williams (R-TX-25), and Rob Wittman (R-VA-01). A copy of the letter can be found here and below. ""Secretary Yellen, The European Union (EU) has long been known for implementing vague, broadly scoped, and complex regulations that hinder business growth and raise consumer costs. The EU’s longstanding regulatory overreach has had deleterious effects on its member states’ economies and diminished the competitiveness of their firms on the global stage. According to the International Monetary Fund, the Eurozone economy grew only 6% in the 15-year period ending in 2023, compared to 82% growth for the United States. European companies have been quick to identify overregulation as an impediment to growth; in one study, more than 60% of EU companies deemed regulation to be a barrier to investment, while 55% of small and medium-sized enterprises cited regulatory obstacles and administrative burdens as their greatest challenge. Now, the EU is attempting to impose its debilitating regulatory agenda on American companies through its Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (also known as “CSDDD” or “CS3D”). Formally adopted by the Council of the EU on May 24, 2024, the CSDDD will impose significant legal obligations on U.S. businesses. The directive effectively converts the U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights—and the provisions of three international human rights conventions, eight conventions of the International Labour Organization, eleven environmental law conventions, and the climate mitigation targets of the Paris Agreement—into binding laws. CSDDD will include governmental enforcement mechanisms, including the possibility of substantial monetary penalties, and will also create private rights of action for those adversely affected by violations. EU member states must implement regulations and administrative procedures required by the directive within two years. Many U.S. companies will be harmed by this enormous compliance burden. After EU member states incorporate the European Parliament’s broad legislation into their own national laws, the CSDDD will ultimately apply to U.S. multinational businesses with annual EU market revenue of more than €450 million, regardless of their corporate “footprint” in the EU. While the full effect of CSDDD may not be clear until the member states begin to transpose the regulations into their own laws and the EU provides additional guidance, it is clear that “in-scope” U.S. businesses will be forced to ensure that their supply chains and other business partners are compliant. Companies will need to “identify, prevent, mitigate and account for how they address actual and potential impacts in their operations, supply chains and other business relationships.” That is neither practical nor realistic—nor does it genuinely constitute “due diligence,” which is generally defined as review and analysis prior to actions being taken (e.g., “prevent” and “mitigate”). Notably, American companies will be required to comply with CSDDD even though the U.S. has not ratified many of the international conventions underlying the directive. The CSDDD’s extraterritorial scope amounts to a serious breach of U.S. sovereignty and a direct threat to the global competitiveness of American companies. Given this, the Biden-Harris Administration must meaningfully respond. Although you acknowledged the issue in your testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, there has been little evidence that the Administration has an effective strategy for engaging with European officials on the issue. To date, no other senior officials in the Biden-Harris Administration have expressed opposition to CSDDD despite the threat it poses to U.S. interests. We are deeply concerned that the Administration is surrendering its regulatory responsibilities to European officials, allowing them to dictate draconian social and climate policies to American companies. The EU is attempting to mitigate the relative damage of its onerous regulatory framework by forcing Americans to bear the burden as well. If implemented in any manner substantially similar to its current form, the CSDDD could force companies to divest or reduce ties with European businesses, causing significant economic harm to both the U.S. and EU. Any policies impacting U.S. businesses should be debated and determined by the elected representatives of the American people, not overseas bureaucrats advancing their own agendas. Accordingly, we strongly encourage you and your colleagues at the relevant federal agencies to actively and publicly engage with your counterparts in Brussels and EU member-state capitals to delay implementation of CSDDD and work with the new European Parliament to repeal or substantially modify the directive. Such action is necessary to preserve U.S. sovereignty and sustain America’s economic competitiveness. Sincerely,""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=BDB32922-C902-4104-93DC-B73D343D8C96,Barr Introduces Camp Nelson National Monument Act,2024-09-27,2024,2024-09,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) introduced legislation that amends the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act which was signed into law in March 2019. This bill will sync the legislative and executive branch naming of the park. Specifically, it will change from ""Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument"" to ""Camp Nelson National Monument"". This will allow the monument to receive signs with the correct name to highlight the importance Camp Nelson had during the Civil War. Camp Nelson, located in Nicholasville, Kentucky, was established by the Union Army in April 1863 as a supply depot and hospital. This site evolved into a key emancipation site, recruitment and training center for African American soldiers, and a refugee camp for their families during the Civil War. In October 2018, Camp Nelson was designated as a National Monument by President Trump as a result of a recommendation from U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. ""Camp Nelson has a special place, not only in the history of the Commonwealth but also in the history of our nation,"" said Congressman Barr. ""This legislation will provide an accurate representation of Camp Nelson's name on its national monument which is a tribute to the men and women who fought for their freedom."" ""Camp Nelson National Monument is an invaluable asset to our community and one of the many attractions that makes Jessamine County beautiful and unique. It is my understanding that when Camp Nelson received its National Monument status that it was incorrectly named, therefore making it impossible to obtain proper signage,"" said Nicholasville Mayor Alex Carter. ""I would like to give my full support to the name being corrected so that we may continue to properly honor this historic site."" ""Continuing to properly honor Camp Nelson is crucial to preserving the history and culture of Jessamine County, Kentucky,"" said Jessamine County Judge Executive David West. ""I support the proposed legislative name correction from Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument to Camp Nelson National Monument."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/9/congressman-comer-meets-with-cumberland-county-4-h,Congressman Comer Meets with Cumberland County 4-H,2024-09-27,2024,2024-09,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON – In Washington D.C., Congressman Comer met with students and parents of the Cumberland County 4-H organization. The students were able to speak with Congressman Comer about his experiences in 4-H and then took a tour of the Capitol with members of the Congressman’s staff. .",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mcgarvey-introduces-bill-to-better-support-children-in-policymaking,Rep. McGarvey Introduces Bill to Better Support Children in Policymaking,2024-09-27,2024,2024-09,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 27, 2024) – Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) introduced the Child Safety and Well-Being Act, which would establish a long-overdue and much-needed independent children’s commission to advise Congress, agencies, and states on how best to support children. The legislation was co-led by his colleagues Reps. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chair of the Babies Caucus; Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Chair of the Dad Caucus; Sara Jacobs (CA-51); and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Chair of the Mamas Caucus. “Our communities can only thrive if our children thrive,” said Congressman Morgan McGarvey. “Right now, we’re seeing increased rates of child poverty and food insecurity, declining child literacy, and high rates of illness and mortality among our kids—we need bold action to address these issues. A national commission on children would help identify the biggest challenges facing kids and families so that the federal government can better support and care for the next generation. We can’t afford inaction.” “When crafting policy, stakeholders often have a seat at the table to advise on the interests of their industry,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. “Sadly, our nation’s children are often excluded. Our children are our future, and that future is only secure when they are prioritized in policymaking. That's why I’m joining my colleagues to introduce the Child Safety and Well-Being Act, which will establish an independent children’s commission to ensure policymakers consider children’s best interests.” “As founder of the Dads Caucus, I'm committed to doing all possible to ensure the wellbeing of kids and families. Today's youth face new challenges that we couldn’t have imagined even a decade ago, and we have to make sure all of the federal policies that we create keep kids in mind,” said Congressman Jimmy Gomez. “I’m proud to co-lead this bill with fellow Dads Caucus member Rep. McGarvey, and to work to create a Children’s Commission that will help ensure legislation on everything from gun violence prevention to education to health care and beyond centers the needs of our nation’s youngest generations.” “Our country's children face unique challenges from the gun violence epidemic to childhood poverty to the climate crisis, and yet, they're too often left out of policy conversations,” said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs. “That’s why it’s long overdue to revive a National Commission on Children to solely focus on the needs of children and strategize on how to best support their health, safety, well-being, and success. I’m proud to co-lead the Child Safety and Well-Being Act to help ensure that the next generation of leaders know we understand the problems they face and we’re mobilizing to solve them.” “As Chair of the Congressional Mamas’ Caucus, I know how critical it is to ensure that every child has the resources they need to reach their full potential,” said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. “Our children, especially marginalized youth, deserve to lead healthy and thriving lives which means that we must ensure that their needs and best interests are represented in every level of decision-making. I am proud to co-lead this legislation to uplift the voices of our most vulnerable children and families who deserve every opportunity to thrive.” ""Our children lack political power and are often invisible in policy debates,” said Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus Campaign for Children. “We strongly support this legislation by Rep. Morgan McGarvey, which will provide children with a needed voice that prioritizes their well-being and amplifies their needs. Establishing a Commission for Children is a critical step toward ensuring that government and policymakers no longer overlook the rights, safety, and future opportunities of our nation’s children. This Commission would provide the focus and coordination needed to make children’s issues a greater priority in our national agenda, protect them from harm and foster environments where they can thrive."" “UNICEF USA believes all children have the right to be healthy, educated, protected, and respected,” said Michael Nyenhuis, President and CEO, UNICEF USA. “The Child Safety and Well-Being Act of 2024 puts the interests of children at the forefront of policymaking and ensures youth voices are heard.” The Child Safety and Well-Being Act would: Establish a 15-member Children’s Commission: The Commission would appoint an independent Children’s Commissioner to evaluate how federal policy affects children’s well-being, monitor the development and implementation of laws affecting children, and inform Congress and the states on the views and interests of children. Members of the Commission would include a mix of different professions, broad geographic representation, and diverse racial and ethnic representation to reflect the demographic makeup of children and marginalized youth in the nation. Represent the views and interests of children and marginalized youth: The Commission would advise Congress, agencies, and states on policies impacting child well-being, publish reports on matters relating to the interests of children and marginalized youth, examine international issues impacting children domestically and abroad, collaborate, and when appropriate, coordinate with children’s commissioners in the states and in other countries. It would also recommend specific measures for creating an environment in which all children have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. Grant the Commissioner authority: The Commissioner would have the authority to hold hearings, secure necessary information from government agencies related to the goals of the Commission, submit policy recommendations to Congress, collect and access data from federal agencies, conduct studies on child impact statements, and ensure all reports are made publicly available and accessible to children and families. BACKGROUND: More than 30 years ago (in 1991), a previous National Commission on Children that was created during the Reagan Administration delivered its final report to the George H.W. Bush Administration and Congress. That report served as a catalyst for enacting groundbreaking bipartisan legislation for children and families, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and changes to child welfare policy. Compared to our peer nations, the U.S. performs poorly in terms of child poverty and other indicators of child well-being. The November 2017 GAO report on child well-being said it best when it stated, “the long-term success of a nation depends in large part on how well families and society care for their children.” A fact sheet is available here. Full text of the bill is available here. Original cosponsors include: Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR- 01), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Summer Lee (PA-12), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Dina Titus (NV-01), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12). The Child Safety and Well-Being Act is endorsed by First Focus Campaign on Children, American Psychological Association, Child Labor Coalition, GLSEN, MomsRising, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Women's Law Center, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Save the Children, Teach For America, UNICEF USA, 11:11 Media Impact, ACTION Ohio (Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now), Bank Information Center, Bethany Christian Services, Center for Childhood & Youth Studies, Children First, Children Now, Children’s Rights, Coalition on Human Needs, Comic Relief US, Committee for Children, Disability Rights International, EDGE Consulting Partners, Education for All Coalition, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Families USA, Family Focused Treatment Association, Family Promise, Futures Without Violence, Georgetown University Collaborative on Global Children's Issues, Global Campaign for Education-US, Human Rights for Kids, Jewish Women International, Kentucky Youth Advocates, Kids Impact Initiative, Kids in Need of Defense, Leading for Kids, Learning Disabilities Association of America, Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., Media Voices for Children, Miracle Foundation, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Diaper Bank Network, National League for Nursing, Office of Colorado's Child Protection Ombudsman, Partnership for Early Childhood Development & Disability Rights (PECDDR), Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky, Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK), RISE Institute, School-Based Health Alliance, SchoolHouse Connection, The Arc of the United States, The Children's Partnership, Together for Girls, and the United Church of Christ. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mcgarvey-introduces-bill-to-invest-in-entrepreneurship-reduce-recidivism,"Rep. McGarvey Introduces Bill to Invest in Entrepreneurship, Reduce Recidivism",2024-09-26,2024,2024-09,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 26, 2024) – This week, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03) and Congressman Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) introduced H.R. 9841, the Prison to Proprietorship for the Formerly Incarcerated Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide in-depth entrepreneurship training to formerly- incarcerated individuals looking to start a business or enter the workforce. “Nearly all incarcerated people will complete their sentence and return to their community—we have to make sure that we’re laying a strong foundation for success post-incarceration,” said Rep. McGarvey. “By providing a path to entrepreneurship for formerly-incarcerated Americans, my bill not only works to reduce recidivism, but also gives returning citizens the tools they need to start a business and achieve their American dream."" The Prison to Proprietorship for the Formerly Incarcerated Act would direct SCORE—a program within the Small Business Administration that offers free or low-cost mentorship and training to entrepreneurs—to provide formerly incarcerated individuals with one-on-one mentoring, workshops, and online instruction specifically tailored to their unique needs. “Around 95% of incarcerated people get released and end up back on the streets,” said Rep. Burchett. “We need to make sure they’re prepared to rejoin their communities, and teaching them entrepreneurial skills helps them get a fresh start.” BACKGROUND: Despite steps to reform and improve our criminal justice system, returning citizens face significant barriers to reentering the workforce, and studies have shown that recidivism rates tend to be higher for those individuals who lack employment. As reported by the Council for State Governments, states spent an estimated $8 billion on reincarceration costs for people who exited prison in 2022, and The Department of Justice estimates that 82 percent of individuals released from state prisons were rearrested at least once during the 10 years following release. Programs that teach formerly incarcerated individuals leadership skills, financial literacy, networking, and how to develop a business plan reduce recidivism and create more opportunities for returning citizens. As the flagship agency tasked with supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, the Small Business Administration has the expertise and experience to teach those skills. View text of the bill here. A one pager for the bill is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=E62ED531-095B-4CC7-AB12-59DDA78151DF,"McConnell, Warner Introduce Vital Bill To Support Bourbon Production And Environment",2024-09-26,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) announced today the introduction of the White Oak Resilience Act of 2024, which will mobilize greater federal resources and direct research into safeguarding our nation’s White Oak tree population. White Oak trees are vital to the environmental ecosystem, as well as several trademark American industries, like bourbon and furniture production. Considered the most important hardwood tree in the eastern United States, White Oak trees provide sustenance and shelter for a host of wildlife species across the country. White Oak trees can take up to 25 years to reach full maturity, but a lack of seedlings has created an impending shortage that threatens the future of this species and the billions of dollars in economic impact they generate nationwide. This bipartisan legislation will help reverse the depletion of this iconic tree and address the threat its extinction poses to the American economy. “Kentucky bourbon is synonymous with the White Oak tree, used to age our state’s signature spirit in its wooden barrels. As we face an impending White Oak shortage, I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation that will help protect this species and preserve Kentucky's iconic bourbon industry that bolsters our economy and supports thousands of jobs across the Commonwealth. This is commonsense conservation at its best,” said Senator McConnell. “Virginia is home to one of the highest concentrations of White Oak trees in the country, and they play an indispensable role in our ecology and our economy,” said Senator Warner. “These trees have tremendous utility as both food for many species and material for the forestry industry, but without further action, we could face a severe shortage soon. I’m glad to sponsor bipartisan legislation that will get ahead of that crisis by bolstering a plan to regenerate our White Oak trees, keeping Virginia beautiful and investing in one of the forestry industry’s most valuable species.” In a statement from Brown-Forman, the largest American-owned spirits and wines company: “We are pleased to see the introduction of the White Oak Resilience Act to the Senate. Brown-Forman depends on healthy forests to provide the white oak for our bourbon barrels. White Oak barrels are more than just a container, they’re an important ingredient that provides all of the color and more than half the flavor to our whiskeys. We are committed to the conservation of the existing hardwood forests we rely on and have undertaken several initiatives to support sustainable forestry practices. We are appreciative of the leadership from Senators McConnell and Warner, supporting this key legislation will provide critical resources for white oak restoration.” “Sazerac commends Senators McConnell and Warner for introducing the Senate companion to HR 5582, the White Oak Resilience Act. Although Sazerac has locations in numerous states, we have distilleries in both Kentucky and Virginia (Buffalo Trace and 1792 in Kentucky; A. Smith Bowman in Virginia) making it particularly significant that these two senators have come together to recognize the importance of this species. The spirits industry has found the ideal wood in White Oak for our barrels and has endeavored to regenerate it for years to come,” said Elizabeth Wise, Chief Global Government and Public Affairs for Sazerac. “On behalf of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the worldwide voice of Bourbon, we applaud Leader McConnell and Senator Warner for their leadership in introducing the White Oak Resilience Act,” said Kentucky Distillers’ Association President Eric Gregory. “White Oak is instrumental to our signature industry as the new charred oak barrel is where the magic happens, transforming young whiskey into the mellow, amber nectar that is Kentucky Bourbon. The KDA and its 68-member companies have an enduring commitment to the sustainable and conscientious use of our natural resources that our legendary distilleries depend on to make the world’s greatest whiskey. The White Oak Resilience Act will help ensure the future of this important species for our communities, our homegrown Bourbon industry, and generations to come.” “On behalf of the University of Kentucky, I want to extend our sincere thanks to Leader McConnell and Senator Warner for introducing the White Oak Resilience Act that addresses White Oak sustainability, which is crucial to Kentucky's signature bourbon industry. The research this measure directs will allow us to leverage our scientific expertise, particularly in genetics and genomics, to support the health and resilience of White Oak tree populations. As a land-grant institution committed to the Commonwealth's economic development, we are well-positioned to translate our findings into practical applications for the bourbon industry,” said University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto. “White Oak is a keystone species that supports over 500 types of wildlife while also bolstering rural economies and providing wood products to cities and towns across America,” said Jason Meyer, Executive Director of the White Oak Initiative. “We’d like to thank Senators Warner and McConnell for their leadership in bringing this bill forward and working together to ensure a long, sustainable future for this critical American resource.” “Virginia's upland oak forests are on the decline and are incredibly important for wildlife and sustainable forestry,"" said Virginia State Forester Robert W. Farrell. “The White Oak Resilience Act will help Virginia's forest landowners care for their hardwood forests and ensure White Oak is on the Virginia landscape for generations to come.” Earlier this year, Senators McConnell and Warner supported Senate passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 and the President signed it into law. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell secured measures to help preserve the nation’s natural beauty, including language instructing the U.S. Forest Service to work on White Oak restoration, used for barrels that only bourbon can be aged in. U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) introduced the companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:46:43Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-introduces-hemp-act-to-relieve-unnecessary-constraints-on-hemp-industry-provide-transparency-and-certainty/,"Dr. Rand Paul Introduces HEMP Act to Relieve Unnecessary Constraints on Hemp Industry, Provide Transparency and Certainty",2024-09-26,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 26, 2024 Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 Dr. Rand Paul Introduces HEMP Act to Relieve Unnecessary Constraints on Hemp Industry, Provide Transparency and Certainty WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) continued his efforts to address Kentucky hemp farmers’ concerns with federal overreach and bring clarity, transparency, and certainty to regulation by introducing the Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan (HEMP) Act. “For years, I’ve led the fight in Washington to restore one of Kentucky’s most historically vital crops by legalizing industrial hemp. We achieved a hard-won victory, but there is still work to do to prevent the federal government from weighing down our farmers with unnecessary bureaucratic micromanaging. My legislation will help this growing industry reach its full economic potential and bring transparency to government regulations,” said Dr. Paul. This legislation creates transparency and certainty by defining a margin of error in hemp testing and provides real solutions to help Kentucky hemp farmers and processors. The HEMP Act amends the definition of “hemp” from 0.3 percent THC to 1 percent THC. It also requires testing of hemp-derived products rather than the hemp flower or plant itself. Additionally, to help prevent legal hemp from being seized during transport, the bill requires that hemp shipments be accompanied by one of two easily accessible types of documentation. Dr. Paul is proud to be a leading voice for removing government restrictions on hemp, including championing legislation, testifying before the Kentucky legislature, and advocating for Kentucky farmers in Washington. This legislation ensures Kentucky can rebuild its hemp industry and push forward to a prosperous future. You can read Dr. Paul’s HEMP Act HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:46:43Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=D2C4207C-1388-4661-81DC-5CD60FD3BAF1,House Passes Barr's White Oak Amendment,2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC - Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the ""Fix Our Forests Act,"" which included Congressman Andy Barr’s amendment to establish the White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition in response to the projected decline of white oak populations over the next two decades. Currently spanning 104 million acres across the United States, white oak plays a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and the economy. As one of the most valuable tree species in the eastern U.S., white oak is indispensable to a variety of industries, from furniture and flooring to cabinetry and, most notably, barrels used for aging wine, whiskey, and Kentucky bourbon. “White oak is essential to Kentucky’s bourbon industry and the broader economy of the Sixth District. The creation of the White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition is a proactive step to ensure that this critical resource continues to thrive,” said Rep. Barr (KY-06). “This initiative will not only support the preservation of white oak for the future, but it will also safeguard the jobs and industries that rely on it. I’m proud to champion this effort to protect one of Kentucky’s most valuable natural assets.” “You can’t have bourbon without white oak,” said Rep. McGarvey (KY-03). “Rep. Barr has been a great partner on this effort, and I’m proud to see it advance out of the House under his amendment. This is a key step in making sure we have enough white oak to support our environment—and bourbon—for generations to come.” “I am proud to have joined a bipartisan majority of House lawmakers in supporting the White Oak Resilience Act to provide long-term sustainability for our White Oak forests,” said Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06). “Covering millions of acres across America, White Oak forests support numerous wildlife and plant ecosystems while serving as a critical resource for several American industries from furniture to wine and spirits. This bill is a comprehensive investment in the conservation and restoration activities across several federal land management agencies for White Oak trees. I look forward to working with the Senate to get the White Oak Resilience Act signed into law so we can conserve this critical resource for generations to come.” The amendment also encourages the US Forest Service to work alongside private and state partners at no cost to the taxpayer, asks the Forest Service and the Department of Interior to regenerate white oak through a series of pilot projects on national parks and volunteered private lands, and allows the Forest Service to enter memorandums of understanding with land grant institutions to conduct much-needed research on white oak. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=EE99FEA5-2E95-4AD7-B553-0AED432D51E4,"Barr, McGarvey Introduce Bourbon Heritage Month Resolution",2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, DC - Yesterday, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Bourbon Caucus, Representatives Andy Barr (KY-06) and Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate the month of September as National Bourbon Heritage Month. This resolution is a testament to the bourbon capital of the world and in celebration of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail's 25th anniversary. ""Bourbon is more than just a beverage - it's a proud symbol of Kentucky's rich heritage and craftsmanship,"" said Congressman Barr. ""I'm honored to join my colleague, Rep. Morgan McGarvey, in introducing a resolution to designate September as Bourbon Heritage Month, celebrating an industry that supports thousands of jobs and contributes significantly to our state and national economy. This month, we raise a glass to the tradition, innovation, and passion that make Kentucky bourbon the best in the world."" ""Kentucky is the birthplace of bourbon - its heritage is woven throughout two centuries of our commonwealth's history,"" said Congressman McGarvey. ""I love working alongside Rep. Barr, as co-chairs of the Congressional Bourbon Caucus, to strengthen one of Kentucky's signature industries and biggest economic drivers, and I'm proud to introduce this resolution to honor the significance and history of America's Native Spirit."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=4EB7CCCA-A850-46E2-A4EA-6E6C9DBB8E9E,Congressman Rogers Votes to Extend Federal Funding and Avoid a Government Shutdown,2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,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), Dean of the House, voted for the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025 to avoid a government shutdown on September 30th and extend federal funding past the election, through December 20, 2024. Both the House and Senate passed the bipartisan bill on Wednesday, sending it on to the president's desk for his signature. The funding protects critical benefits programs and includes $231 million in additional resources for the Secret Service to ensure candidates and government leaders are protected, while also ensuring the full cooperation of the Secret Service with congressional investigations. ""We have the responsibility to protect the federal programs and funding that Americans rely on everyday. This temporary extension will get us through the election, and will allow the president-elect to engage in our next steps,"" said Congressman Rogers, a senior appropriator. ""We cannot afford a government shutdown or any disruption in our national security, especially when our nation's leadership hangs in the balance of an election that is only weeks away."" The House Appropriations Committee passed all twelve federal funding bills earlier this summer, and the House has already passed five of those bills on to the Senate for consideration.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-morgan-mcgarveys-statement-on-voting-to-avoid-yet-another-republican-led-government-shutdown,Congressman Morgan McGarvey’s Statement on Voting to Avoid Yet Another Republican-Led Government Shutdown,2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 25, 2024) – Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) released the following statement following his vote in favor of a continuing resolution (CR) that will fund the government until December 20, 2024, averting a government shutdown: “Today, I joined House Democrats to once again prevent MAGA extremists from senselessly causing chaos and shutting down the government—a move that will ultimately cost the government money. I am glad we were able to pass a short-term continuing resolution without any poison pills, but we shouldn’t have to fight tooth and nail to do the bare minimum of our job. The bar could not be lower at this point, and somehow this is the norm? Pushing ourselves to the brink of a government shutdown over and over, only to kick the can down the road yet again, is not good governing. It creates unnecessary uncertainty for our government and American families, and frankly—it’s giving us all whiplash. When we come back in November, let’s put our differences aside and come to the table in good faith to debate and pass a good, comprehensive budget.” The continuing resolution passed with a final vote of 341-82, receiving unanimous support from Democrats and 82 Republicans voting against it. If the bill is not passed by both chambers and signed into law by President Biden, government funding will expire at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/two-mcgarvey-bills-to-support-veterans-education-passed-by-house-of-representatives,Two McGarvey Bills to Support Veterans’ Education Passed by House of Representatives,2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 25, 2024) – Today, the House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 7323, the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR) Tuition Fairness Act, a bipartisan bill led by Reps. Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) and Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) to increase access to educational opportunities for veterans by requiring public higher education institutions to charge in-state tuition rates for veterans using MGIB-SR. Included in this bill is the Veterans Flight Training Responsibility Act, another bipartisan veterans education initiative led by Rep. McGarvey and Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) to give veterans expanded flexibility to use their education benefits for flight training. “Every veteran should have access to quality, affordable education when they return home—they’ve more than earned it,” said Rep. McGarvey. “As a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I’m always looking for bipartisan solutions to make sure veterans’ benefits work for them. The initiatives we passed today make sure our vets and reservists can pursue higher education on their own terms, without breaking the bank. This is a great first step, and we’ll keep working to get them signed into law.” The Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR) Tuition Fairness Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to require public higher education institutions to charge in-state tuition rates for veterans using MGIB-SR. The bill is supported by Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, Special Operations Association of America, Veterans Education Project, Military Officers Association of America, and Reserve Organization of America. Bill text is available here. The Veterans Flight Training Responsibility Act will cap flight training fees for veteran students at $108,480 for public flight training institutions and allow student veterans to use their GI Bill throughout the whole year, instead of requiring them to take time off or pay out of pocket. Bill text is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=2C9B46D2-CBA3-435C-814E-CBA00A363B78,McConnell: VP Harris’ Willingness To Throw Away Senate’s Guardrails As Disqualifying As Her Record,2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"‘There is nothing normal or rational about blowing up the dam holding back simple majority rule. And the fact that a major political party has welcomed this short-sighted radicalism into the mainstream will be to their eternal shame. To lean on today’s fill-in-the-blank justification is to miss entirely what’s at stake. The Senate’s protections against the vacillations of simple majority rule are bigger than Washington Democrats’ policy preferences.’ WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the filibuster: “’I am prepared to get rid of the filibuster to pass a Green New Deal.’ “‘I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe.’ “These are the words of the Vice President of the United States and the Democratic nominee for President. “Her willingness to shatter the institution of the Senate is not unique. Nearly every single one of our Democratic colleagues was willing to do it two years ago. And they would have succeeded had two members of their own caucus not stood in the breach. “Nor is this campaign to rip up precious safeguards for political minorities confined here to the Senate. From a sitting President all the way down to grassroots activists, Democrats have made smashing institutions a core pillar of their party’s platform. “The Vice President’s latest comments are not novel. But they are shocking – no less so than the votes our colleagues cast here on January 19, 2022. “There is nothing normal or rational about blowing up the dam holding back simple majority rule. And the fact that a major political party has welcomed this short-sighted radicalism into the mainstream will be to their eternal shame. “To lean on today’s fill-in-the-blank justification is to miss entirely what’s at stake. The Senate’s protections against the vacillations of simple majority rule are bigger than Washington Democrats’ policy preferences. They’re bigger than my own. “A Senate that can steamroll a legislative minority to codify Roe v. Wade or enshrine the lunacy of the Green New Deal into law… “…is a Senate that will drive a stake through liberal hopes as soon as the political winds change. “To gamble the guardrails that make the Senate what it is… To short-circuit the process by which dissenting views are guaranteed a hearing… That ought to be disqualifying, by itself. “Then again, so should the Vice President’s record on the issues. “In November, the Democratic nominee will own the worst border crisis in American history, and the broken policies that invited it. “She will own the worst inflation in forty years, and the reckless spending and tie-breaking votes that enabled it. “The American people may well worry, like I do, about the future of an institution designed to be the world’s greatest deliberative body. “But more than that, they worry about keeping their families safe and putting food on the table. And I expect they’ll vote accordingly.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:46:43Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=B3B83FB2-D0D0-4BE3-8A54-E08FC04DE208,"McConnell, Kaine Applaud Final Rule To Raise Minimum Age For Tobacco Sales Set By Their Bill",2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, applauded a final rule issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding ID requirements for the purchase of tobacco products at retail establishments. The rule, which will go into effect on September 30, was required by McConnell and Kaine’s Tobacco-Free Youth Act. Signed into law in December 2019, the bipartisan McConnell-Kaine legislation raised the minimum age to buy all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21. Last week, Senator McConnell delivered remarks on the Senate floor highlighting a recent survey by the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which concluded the number of young people in America smoking e-cigarettes dropped to its lowest level in the last decade. “Youth e-cigarette use was at its peak just five years ago. That’s when I introduced legislation along with Senator Kaine to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21. Today, the number of young people smoking e-cigarettes dropped to its lowest level in a decade,” said Senator McConnell. “I’m glad to see the FDA finally produce this rule that will help keep even more children from getting their hands on addictive vaping devices. While more work remains, I’m grateful to see our bipartisan legislation making a big impact.” “I’m glad the FDA issued final guidance to implement our bipartisan legislation to raise the tobacco age to 21,” said Senator Kaine. “I was proud to work with Senator McConnell to get this legislation signed into law. Our bipartisan bill has already made a huge difference in keeping tobacco products away from young people, and this final rule will only further these efforts.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:46:43Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=B581D305-80F9-4F96-B294-816D498880C6,McConnell: Subservience To Autocrats Neither An American Value Nor Strategic Interest,2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"‘Hungary’s leaders have made no secret of their conviction that the future is one of American decline. They’re not hiding the ways they’re preparing for American weakness and betting on our failure. There’s nothing tough about bowing to autocrats. And there’s nothing for America’s leaders to gain by praising those who do.’ WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding NATO: “I’ve spoken frequently about the welcome signs that America’s European allies are waking up to the strategic challenge posed by the PRC, and to the dangers of predatory Chinese influence in their own backyards. “Like America, our allies are watching the flaws of China’s statist economic model laid bare. They’re increasingly wary to hitch their wagons to a totalitarian system that stifles innovation, discourages free thought, and complicates free enterprise. “They’re hesitant to take risks in a system where the rule of law is trampled by the whims of the state, and assets are subject to expropriation by the regime. “Encouraging progress, like a German security strategy that explicitly recognizes the Chinese threat, and efforts across the EU to reduce reliance on Chinese technologies, presents opportunities for the West to work closer together. To secure supply chains. And to lower barriers to cooperation among allies. “Unfortunately, this progress is not across-the-board. China may not be a safe business partner, but it’s still an enticing one for far too many economies… including within the NATO alliance. “I’ve spoken before about Hungary’s decade-long drift into the orbit of the West’s most determined adversaries. It’s an alarming trend. And nobody – certainly not the American conservatives who increasingly form a cult of personality around Prime Minister Viktor Orban – can pretend not to see it. “Hungary’s leaders aren’t cozying up to Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran in private. They’re doing it publicly and vocally as well. “The Orban government has welcomed China’s view of a ‘European bridgehead’ in Hungary as the perfect complement to its own declared policy of an ‘opening to the East.’ And it hasn’t been shy about turning words into actions. “When Chinese state enterprise has said jump, Hungarian officials have asked, how high? “As European allies began to heed warnings from the Trump Administration to reduce reliance on Chinese industry and technology, Budapest repeatedly blocked EU progress and welcomed a geyser of Chinese Belt-and-Road investment. “Included in the torrent of PRC influence was five-hundred-million Euros from a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer to build a new facility on Hungarian soil… and another seven-billion-euro investment in a new EV battery plant. “Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of a former vassal of Russian communism has nothing but praise for the neo-Soviet imperialist responsible for the first major land war in Europe since 1945. “Viktor Orban describes the regime that has sacrificed tens- if not hundreds of thousands of Russian lives and more than $200 billion dollars in military force for its unprovoked – and thus far unsuccessful – aggression against Ukraine as ‘hyper-rational’. “But this NATO Prime Minister doesn’t just admire Putin. He helps him. His government runs interference for Moscow, gumming up European and trans-Atlantic efforts to combat Russia’s unlawful aggression at every turn. “European allies are providing more assistance to Ukraine than the US is, but Americans who complain the EU isn’t doing more to help Ukraine should look no further than to Budapest’s efforts to block additional EU assistance for the answer. “And then there’s Budapest’s relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hungary’s Foreign Minister has bemoaned that ongoing international sanctions make it ‘really challenging to build effective economic and trade cooperation’ with the world’s most active state sponsor of terror. “I have little sympathy for Hungarian companies that struggle to profit from their ties to the genocidal regime in Tehran. “Of course, that hasn’t stopped Hungarian firms from committing tens of millions of dollars to financing joint nuclear projects with Iran. “It didn’t stop a national Hungarian university from inviting the former Iranian President to a conference on ‘common values in the global environment’. “’Common values’ with Tehran. And here I thought it was American conservatives who claimed shared values with Hungary’s ruling party. Has the Orban government forgot its adoring fans on this side of the Atlantic? “No. Hungary’s leaders have made no secret of their conviction that the future is one of American decline. They’re not hiding the ways they’re preparing for American weakness and betting on our failure. “There’s nothing tough about bowing to autocrats. And there’s nothing for America’s leaders to gain by praising those who do. “Subservience to revanchist powers is not an American value. But far more importantly, it is not in America’s interests.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:46:43Z https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-rand-paul-forces-vote-on-six-penny-plan-to-balance-the-federal-budget-in-five-years/,Dr. Rand Paul Forces Vote on Six Penny Plan to Balance the Federal Budget in Five Years,2024-09-25,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,KY,Rand Paul,P000603,www.paul.senate.gov,paul,https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 25, 2024 Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 Dr. Rand Paul Forces Vote on Six Penny Plan to Balance the Federal Budget in Five Years Senate Votes 39-56 on Dr. Paul’s Six Penny Plan WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) forced the Senate to vote on his “Six Penny Plan” federal budget that will balance within five years. Dr. Paul spoke on the Senate floor ahead of the vote, below are excerpts from his remarks. “This year, the United States will spend over $6 trillion while only bringing in $4 trillion in revenue. That’s a profound gap, $2 trillion will be borrowed this year. To add insult to injury, Congress spends like drunken sailors without even bothering to pass a budget…In fact, over the past 20 years, Congress has passed a budget less than half the time. So, today, I will attempt to do what both parties have failed to do and that is pass a budget…The Penny Plan that I offer today will balance the budget in 5 years. “Americans will pay dearly for Congress’s insatiable appetite for more and more spending. The high level of spending that is currently crushing the American family is just the beginning. If we continue down this unsustainable path, American families will be forced to deal with even higher inflation, confiscatory tax rates, rising interest rates, and a weak economy. It will be harder to find a job and provide for a family because the deals made in the halls of Congress always stick the taxpayers with the bill. “As interest payments on the national debt crowd out the rest of the government’s budget, tax increases, inflation, and an eventual default on the debt are what lie ahead for the American economy. Unfortunately, a debt crisis will not just stop with our economy. A threat to our financial security is also a threat to our national security. “Even the Biden-Harris Administration’s own Treasury has admitted that our current path is unsustainable. The math is clear, and I urge my colleagues: do not get in an argument with math. You will lose. “Our current trajectory weakens our national security and drains productivity from our economy. History will remember those who had the courage to make the hard choices now and who chose to leave their children with less of the burden. For just six pennies on the dollar, we can reverse this dismal trajectory. In just five years, we can restore trust in the U.S. dollar, the U.S. economy, and walk the U.S. government off the fiscal cliff. Vote yes on this plan, vote yes on restoring fiscal sanity, vote yes on securing a future for our country.” You can watch Dr. Paul’s full floor remarks HERE and HERE. Background: The Six Penny Plan is a federal budget resolution that will balance on-budget outlays and revenues within five years by cutting six pennies off every dollar projected to be spent in the next five fiscal years. This plan is the most recent in a series of plans that Dr. Paul has introduced to address an ever-worsening budget crisis: In the 100 days between CBO’s February and June budget baselines, the federal government added an additional $540 billion to the national debt (an additional $1,600 per U.S. citizen). CBO’s June estimates increased projected deficits by $2.5 trillion over CBO’s February estimates. Interest payments on the debt account for more spending than our entire defense budget. At over $35 trillion, the national debt is nearly double the amount of total bank deposits in the U.S. In other words, emptying every bank account in the U.S. would only cover half of the government’s debt. In 2017, Dr. Paul introduced a budget that would have only required a spending freeze to balance in five years. An annual six percent cut is now required to achieve the same results. Dr. Paul’s Six Penny Plan implements these cuts while preserving congressional discretion regarding how to achieve these spending targets. This plan would: Reduce spending by $329 billion in the first year. The plan would continue to cut six percent until balance in year five, then allows spending to rise with the pace of revenues in the five years remaining. Make no specific policy assumptions. All savings are reflected in the newly defined budget function 930: New Efficiencies, Consolidations, and Other Savings. The budget sets a goal of balance and then calls on Congress to make the changes needed to achieve this objective. Assume the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is made permanent (originally set to expire in 2027). Since CBO originally assumed this would expire and federal revenues would increase, this plan accounts for the decrease in projected revenues if TCJA were to be made permanent. You can read the Six Penny Plan HERE. Dr. Paul’s Six Penny Plan has wide support: “For decades, the government has spent beyond its means and expected hardworking taxpayers to foot the bill. This reckless spending in Washington has delivered nothing but record inflation, leaving the American people unable to make ends meet. It’s past time for Congress to make the hard decisions required to put our financial house back in order. Heritage Action thanks Sen. Paul for his consistent support for fiscal responsibility and backs his ‘Six Penny Plan’ to balance the budget,” said Ryan Walker, Executive Vice President of Heritage Action. “The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste supports Sen. Paul’s amendment to cap spending for five years and achieve a balanced budget. His proposal to cut spending by 6 percent annually should be supported by every senator who believes in fiscal responsibility and getting the nation back on the right track,” said Tom Schatz, President of Council for Citizens Against Government Waste. “Senator Paul has been a true pioneer in new concepts for fiscal responsibility, with his first introduction of a Penny Plan to balance the budget back in 2017. At the time, achieving eventual balance would have only required cutting 1 cent per dollar of federal spending. However, due to continued reckless policies, a Six Penny Plan, requiring annual 6 percent savings to tackle deficits, is now necessary. Senator Paul’s legislation also locks in the pro-growth Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, preventing tax hikes on top of inflation. Also important, the Six Penny Plan wisely proposes scorekeeping reforms to identify duplicate programs in new proposals and strengthened budget enforcement in the Senate. Taxpayers can only hope that Congress acts swiftly on the Six Penny Plan, so Senator Paul won’t need to introduce a Dime Plan or, worse, a Quarter Plan,” said Demian Brady, Vice President of Research, National Taxpayers Union Foundation. “Senator Rand Paul has been fighting for fiscal responsibility and raising the alarm on federal spending with his Penny Plan since 2017. Had Congress listened to Sen. Paul and passed his plan, the country would have a balanced budget today. Instead, Congress continues to exacerbate inflationary pressures with unprecedented and obscene spending levels. As President of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, I thank Senator Rand Paul for this commonsense and much-needed solution to balance the budget and protect taxpayers,” said David Williams, President of Taxpayers Protection Alliance. “Citizens for Renewing America supports Senator Rand Paul’s Six Penny Plan, which offers a real solution to years of reckless spending policies. As Congress continues to avoid addressing the root causes of our growing national debt, Senator Paul’s plan forces genuine cuts to the woke and weaponized federal bureaucracy. This legislation is critical to restoring the fiscal sanity that Washington has sorely lacked and provides the necessary course correction to years of flawed policies that have failed to reduce our national debt or deficits,” said Wade Miller, Executive Director of Citizens for Renewing America. “Unfortunately, the Biden Administration continues to advocate for inflationary spending plans that would add to the crushing tax burden faced by hardworking Americans. As we face the real threat of stagflation for the first time since the 1970s, we need a major course correction from policymakers in Washington. Senator Rand Paul should be commended for his bold approach to address our $35 trillion national debt, while avoiding economically damaging tax increases. Sen. Paul’s common sense spending reforms put our hardworking taxpayers first by addressing the root cause of our national debt: overspending,” said Jonathan Williams, ALEC Chief Economist and Executive Vice President of Policy. “Unsustainable federal spending is driving the bloated national debt and contributes to economic weakness and elevated inflation, so I applaud Senator Paul’s Six Penny Plan to get control of the spending crisis,” said Vance Ginn, Ph.D., President of Ginn Economic Consulting and former Chief Economist of Trump White House OMB. “Senator Rand Paul has long been a champion of balancing the federal budget and protecting the American taxpayer. Senator Paul has a plan that will balance the budget in five years. Interestingly, if Congress had voted for Senator Paul’s plan five years ago, we would not be suffering runaway inflation, economic downturns, slowdowns, severe shortages, and empty shelves at the store. And we’d be celebrating a balanced budget too! And balancing the budget has national security benefits as well. If we wait even longer to take action, we will suffer more inflation, larger and larger deficits, and more economic instability and our national security will slide downhill as well. And then it will take much larger cuts to get things back on track. So now is the time to act before the problem becomes so large that it cannot practically be fixed,” said George Landrith, President of Frontiers for Freedom. “Senator Rand Paul is one of the few Senators who are serious about the fiscal challenges facing America. Quite simply, the current rate of government spending is unsustainable with interest payments on the debt for the first ten months of fiscal year 2024 reaching a staggering $763 billion fully $202 billion more than the same period the previous year. Net interest payments on the debt surpass every other spending category other than Social Security. It is astonishing that the fiscal apocalypse that we have worried about for decades is now upon us with even defense spending dwarfed by the cost of simply making interest payments on our $35 trillion national debt. Senator Paul’s Six Penny Plan forces an honest discussion about the crisis our nation faces and some of the tough decisions which will be required to reverse course from the almost $2 Trillion in debt our country adds onto the ledger every single year. Higher interest rate payments on more of the debt combined with the spending spree which has raised the debt from $26.9 Trillion on September 30, 2020 to more than $35 Trillion. America is in trouble and Senator Paul is one of the few members of Congress willing to propose solutions,” said Richard Manning, President of Americans for Limited Government Foundation ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:46:43Z https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=5EC30E93-218A-4484-A5C9-FB2F5BF38472,Barr Releases Statement on EDA Grant to City of Richmond,2024-09-24,2024,2024-09,Republican,House,KY,Andy Barr,B001282,barr.house.gov,barr,https://barr.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Richmond, KY - The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $4.7 million to the City of Richmond for building renovations to support substance abuse workforce development in the region. The facility will house 50-72 recovery beds for men. New Vista will implement a workforce program while serving as the facility's operator and employ approximately 41 full time service, support, and clinical staff. The investment will be supplemented by the City of Richmond and Madison County's agreement to provide $1.5 million each. ""Access to the right resources is vital in the fight against substance abuse, and this grant will equip Madison County with essential care, support, and job opportunities,"" said Congressman Andy Barr. ""I was pleased to advocate for this federal funding and and am humbled by the innovative approach these partners have taken to meet this need in a way that will positively impact Richmond and our region. I look forward to seeing the impact this project has on our community."" ""We want to thank Congressman Barr's office for his support on this project,"" said Richmond Mayor Robert Blythe. ""A men's rehab center is one of the missing pieces of the puzzle in our community to help people recover from addiction. This has been a long standing partnership between the City of Richmond, Bluegrass Area Development District, New Vista and the Fletcher Group. Working together as a team to get this application across the goal line was no small feat and we want to also thank Bertha Partin at the EDA office for her patience and direction.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-mcgarvey-barr-introduce-resolution-to-recognize-bourbon-heritage-month,"Reps. McGarvey, Barr Introduce Resolution to Recognize Bourbon Heritage Month",2024-09-24,2024,2024-09,Democrat,House,KY,Morgan McGarvey,M001220,mcgarvey.house.gov,mcgarvey,https://mcgarvey.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 24, 2024) – Today, Representatives Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), and Andy Barr (KY-06), co-chairs of the Congressional Bourbon Caucus, introduced a resolution recognizing the month of September as National Bourbon Heritage Month and honoring over two centuries of bourbon history in Kentucky. “Kentucky is the birthplace of bourbon—its heritage is woven throughout two centuries of our commonwealth’s history,” said Rep. McGarvey. “I love working alongside Rep. Barr, as co-chairs of the Congressional Bourbon Caucus, to strengthen one of Kentucky’s signature industries and biggest economic drivers, and I’m proud to introduce this resolution to honor the significance and history of America’s Native Spirit.” ""Bourbon is more than just a beverage – it's a proud symbol of Kentucky’s rich heritage and craftsmanship,” said Rep. Barr. “I’m honored to join my colleague, Rep. Morgan McGarvey, in introducing a resolution to designate September as Bourbon Heritage Month, celebrating an industry that supports thousands of jobs and contributes significantly to our state and national economy. This month, we raise a glass to the tradition, innovation, and passion that make Kentucky bourbon the best in the world."" Congress first declared bourbon - the only spirit distinctive to the United States - as “America’s Native Spirit” in 1964, and the U.S. Senate recognized September as National Bourbon Heritage Month in 2007, with the passage of a resolution sponsored by Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky. Representative McGarvey’s resolution declares September 2024 “National Bourbon Heritage Month” and reaffirms bourbon’s place as America’s only native spirit. The resolution also celebrates Kentucky as the birthplace and home of bourbon, acknowledges bourbon’s contribution to Kentucky’s economy and agricultural industry, and commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=8A80F6D0-07C4-4D94-A46A-8F0DE99AF851,McConnell Helps Secure Over $1 Million for Maysville Community and Technical College,2024-09-24,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"Senator McConnell advocated for this funding in the annual government funding bill WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the Maysville Community and Technical College will receive $1,004,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The federal grant will be used to build out a welding training facility on its Montgomery County campus in Mount Sterling, Kentucky. Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, contacted the EDA in support of Maysville Community and Technical College’s competitive federal grant application and advocated for EDA funding in the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding bill. “Today’s federal grant announcement is welcome news. I hear constantly about the challenges Kentucky employers face finding workers to fill open jobs across the Commonwealth. Maysville Community and Technical College’s new facility will go a long way in training Kentuckians with the hands-on skills they need to get to work in their communities,” said Senator McConnell. “I was proud to bring home today’s federal grant, and I'm thrilled to see these funds invest in the future of Kentucky’s workforce.” “I am proud of the EDA’s investment in the Maysville Community and Technical College's Mount Sterling/Montgomery County campus, and I appreciate Senator McConnell’s support in helping us secure this federal funding. This critical project not only enhances our facilities but also strengthens our capacity to meet the growing demands of the welding industry,” said Dr. Laura McCullough, President and Chief Executive Officer of Maysville Community and Technical College. “By fostering workforce development and empowering our students with high-demand skills, we are laying the foundation for new business growth, attracting private investment, and driving long-term economic vitality in the region. Together, we are building a stronger future for our community."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:46:43Z https://comer.house.gov/2024/9/comer-congratulates-michelle-grubbs-of-ballard-county-on-being-named-truck-safety-coalition-s-volunteer-of-the-year,Comer Congratulates Michelle Grubbs of Ballard County on Being Named Truck Safety Coalition’s Volunteer of the Year,2024-09-23,2024,2024-09,Republican,House,KY,James Comer,C001108,comer.house.gov,comer,https://comer.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON—In his Washington office, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) congratulated Michelle Grubbs of Ballard County on being named the Truck Safety Coalition’s Volunteer of the Year. In November 2023, Mrs. Grubbs contacted Congressman Comer’s office to advocate for road safety reforms following the tragic loss of her son and family members in a preventable accident. Her story and determination to advance legislative reforms in Congress on behalf of her son and other family members was inspiring. Congressman Comer was proud to champion bipartisan legislation that will increase road safety in Kentucky and communities across the country. . . Congressman Comer also received the “Truck Safety Champion” award and delivered recorded remarks for the Truck Safety Coalition’s event honoring Michelle Grubbs. . . Below are Congressman Comer’s video remarks as prepared: . Hello, I am Congressman James Comer, and it is an honor to address you today. The Truck Safety Coalition has helped reduce the number of deaths and injuries on the road and provides support to accident survivors and families of crash victims. Addressing road safety became a priority of mine after Michelle Grubbs, a constituent of Kentucky’s First Congressional District from Ballard County, shared her story with me. In her message, she wrote: . QUOTE . I lost my 26-year-old son, his fiancé, her mother and Mother’s boyfriend along with a 14-year-old cousin of the fiancé in a preventable truck crash. Since 2009, large truck fatality crashes have increased by 71% in Kentucky. We can do better. Your life, my family, friends and my own life mean more than these shocking events in truck fatalities, most of which can be prevented with some changes to laws. . END QUOTE .",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:43:57Z https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=EEB25A95-32C8-48A6-AD70-EE569814D9B5,"McConnell Urges Administration, Colleagues Not To Make Israel’s Job Harder",2024-09-23,2024,2024-09,Republican,Senate,KY,Mitch McConnell,M000355,www.mcconnell.senate.gov,mcconnell,https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding national security priorities: “In May, 2000, Israeli forces withdrew from southern Lebanon. But while the occupation ended, Hizballah’s appetite for waging war on Israel only grew. And its further deadly attacks on Israel invited the 2006 conflict. “The history of Israel’s fight to defend its northern border and innocent civilians against Hizballah terrorists bears eerie parallels to the story of brutal violence Hamas has perpetrated from Gaza. “Israel withdrew there in August, 2005. And by 2007, Iran-backed terrorists had bent the enclave to its all-consuming mission: war on Israel. “But the most glaring through-lines in Israel’s north and south are not the relentless bloodlust of terrorists. They’re the predictable delusion of Israel’s ‘friends’… And the shameful cowardice of international authorities that claim to stand for peace. “Take, for starters, how the Biden-Harris Administration chose to welcome the U.N. General Assembly by signaling its openness to resuming funding for UNRWA. And how it apparently still clings to the fiction that an organization so thoroughly corrupted by Hamas that nearly a dozen of its staff directly participated in the October 7th attacks is somehow reform-able. “But while the civilized world gathers in one place, the General Assembly might productively spend its time contemplating other pressing questions. For example: “Why hasn’t the U.N. Security Council managed to enforce resolutions 1559 and 1701 in Lebanon? These resolutions were passed to end and prevent further conflict between Israel and Lebanon by removing the threat Hizballah posed on Israel’s border, and to end the threat Hizballah posed to the state of Lebanon itself. “And why has the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon allowed Hizballah to build up massive stockpiles on Israel’s border in clear preparation for war? Why has the UN looked the other way as Hizballah has expanded its corrosive influence over the institutions of Lebanon’s government? “But setting aside the failures of the so-called international community, this past weekend once again cast a spotlight on America’s own naivete toward the glaring facts of Iran-backed war on our friend, Israel. “In an interview that might rightly attract scrutiny for its host’s obfuscation of the facts on Israel’s latest responses to Hizballah terrorism, the White House national security communications advisor said out loud what the Biden-Harris Administration has been saying by its actions for nearly a year. “Quote: ‘We’ve been working since the beginning of this conflict, October 8th… to try to prevent an escalation…’ “Think about it, Madam President. The only way to claim credit for working to ‘prevent an escalation’ is by pretending like Hizballah’s October 8th attacks – or Hamas’ October 7th massacre – weren’t actually escalations, themselves! “Unfortunately, the Administration official also seemed to suggest a moral equivalence between Israel and Hizballah. He suggested that ‘military action, by either side’ would not be ‘in either side’s best interest,’ and implied that an Israeli response would itself be escalation. “Second-guessing Israel’s interests. Micromanaging their defensive efforts. Blaming Israel for escalation when it’s clear Hamas and Hizballah have been the instigators of this conflict. It’s a tired playbook. “The Administration is telling the world that what America wants is a return to October 6th, as if the status quo ante was sustainable or peaceful. This, of course, is pure fantasy. Hamas broke a cease-fire on October 7th. “Or consider Hizballah’s history as the centerpiece of Iran’s ‘ring of fire’ around Israel: “Just since the 2006 conflict, Hizballah terrorists have imported tens of thousands of rockets to target Israel, deployed forces directly to Israel’s border, and constructed tunnels that would allow them to emulate Hamas’ October 7th invasion. “Recent estimates suggest the terrorists posses up to 200,000 rockets, missiles, drones, and precision-guided munitions, along with 25,000 active-duty militants. All of it is pointed south at Israel. And all of it, as Hizballah’s leader has boasted, is from Iran. “Or consider Lebanon itself. Hizballah is a cancer on the Lebanese state. It wields its power as a sectarian terror squad, and leaves a long trail of blood through the highest ranks of civilian government and civil society. Sunnis, Christians, Druze, and fellow Shiites – none are immune from Hizballah’s wrath. “Then again, National Public Radio refers to Hizballah as a ‘political’ group. Perhaps the Administration officials’ confusion is a symptom of their media diet. Or, more likely, the foundations of their foreign policy are fundamentally flawed: “Remember the declaration by the President’s national security advisor early last fall that the Middle East was ‘quieter than it has been for decades’. “The absurdity of this boast in light of October 7th is striking enough. But even when it was written, it betrayed the Administration’s naivete toward glaring and abiding threats to Israel and America’s national security interests in the region. “Iran’s agents in Syria and Iraq had already fired hundreds of rockets at American forces on this Administration’s watch. Since last October, these attacks have only metastasized, including into the Red Sea. Was this an acceptable status quo? “Was Hizballah’s steady preparation for war? Was Hamas’ expropriation of humanitarian assistance in order to build terror tunnels? “The United States ought to stand with our friend, Israel, as it faces these terrorists down. The goal should not be simply to avoid escalation or to return to the status quo ante, but to help Israel defend itself against terrorists bent on Israel’s destruction. “We have a stake in ensuring Israel emerges from this conflict stronger and these terrorist organizations and their Iranian patron weaker. These same terrorists want to expel the United States from the region. We are the Great Satan, in their own parlance. “Instead, by their misplaced obsession with escalation, the Administration and Washington Democrats are making Israel’s job harder. “If the President and Vice President want to see an end to war in Gaza and prevent greater hostilities in Lebanon, then it’s time to switch the focus of their diplomatic pressure. “Every time Administration officials try to tie Israel’s hands in public comments… And every time a U.S. Senator threatens to hold critical security assistance hostage… Hamas, Hizballah, and their patrons in Tehran are emboldened. “If our colleagues want peace, it’s time to show support for a nation founded on peace… And resolve toward terrorists whose reason for existence is chaos and violence.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:46:43Z