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McConnell Receives 100% Rating from American Conservative Union

February 21, 2013

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell today was named one of the most conservative members of the Senate by leading conservative grassroots organization the American Conservative Union (ACU). In its 2012 Rating of the United States Congress, the ACU gave Senator McConnell a 100%.

Senator McConnell said: “For nearly five decades, the American Conservative Union has advanced the great cause of constitutional conservatism. I am honored to be recognized as one of those who have stood with them in this fight, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with the ACU in the years ahead and to fight for conservative principles on behalf of Kentuckians.”

ACU chairman Al Cardenas said, “I congratulate Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on receiving one of only seven perfect scores in ACU’s 2012 Senate Ratings. With a lifetime ACU rating of 90% we depend on Senator McConnell’s commitment to conservative ideals to counteract the liberal policies prescribed by this White House and Senate majority.”  

McConnell Statement on White House Sequester Event

February 19, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement today as the President held another campaign event on the sequester:

“Today’s event at the White House proves once again that more than three months after the November election, President Obama still prefers campaign events to common sense, bipartisan action. Surely the President won't cut funds to first responders when just last year Washington handed out an estimated $115 billion in payments to individuals who weren’t even eligible to receive them, or at a time when 11 different government agencies are funding 90 different green energy programs. That would be a terrible and entirely unnecessary choice by a President who claims to want bipartisan reform.”

 

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Sens. McConnell and Paul Co-sponsor Industrial Hemp Legislation

Industrial Hemp Farming Act Introduced Today in U.S. Senate

February 14, 2013

Washington, D.C. – Today, Sen. Rand Paul and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, both of Kentucky, joined Oregon Democratic Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden in introducing legislation to allow American farmers to cultivate and profit from industrial hemp.

The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013 would remove federal restrictions on the domestic cultivation of industrial hemp. Specifically, the bill would remove hemp from the Schedule I controlled substance list under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, and would define it as a non-drug so long as it contained less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Prior to World War II, Kentucky provided 94 percent of the nation’s industrial hemp. Today the U.S. is the world’s largest consumer of hemp, but it remains the only major industrialized country that bans farming the product. U.S. imports have consistently grown over the past decade – increasing by 300 percent over that period.
 
Earlier this week, the Kentucky State Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously approved legislation that would set up a state permitting program for the growth of industrial hemp. And today, the Kentucky Senate passed SB 50, which establishes oversight for Kentucky farmers to cultivate legalized industrial hemp. It now awaits a vote in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

“The Industrial Hemp Farming Act paves the way to creating jobs for Kentucky,” Sen. Paul said. “Allowing American farmers to cultivate industrial hemp and benefit from its many uses will boost our state’s economy and bring much-needed jobs in the agriculture community. Today’s State Senate victory, coupled with the efforts Sen. McConnell and I are making here in Washington increase my confidence that they will soon payoff, to the benefit of Kentuckians.”

“I am proud to introduce legislation with my friend Rand Paul that will allow Kentucky farmers to harness the economic potential that industrial hemp can provide,” Sen. McConnell said. “During these tough economic times, this legislation has the potential to create jobs and provide a boost to Kentucky’s economy and to our farmers and their families.”

The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013 is the Senate companion bill to H.R. 525, which was introduced last week in the House with 28 original co-sponsors. 

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