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McConnell: Budget Contains Pro-Growth Policies

February 5, 2007



Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement today on the President’s FY’08 budget:



“President Bush has put forth a budget that continues pro-growth policies to keep America’s economy robust without raising taxes.



“More than seven million jobs have been created since August 2003. These gains are the result of the energizing tax relief we passed and should be kept in place. Additionally, we have used the strong economic climate to cut the deficit in half.



“We can continue this trend and balance the budget the right way: by slowing the growth of government rather than slowing the growth of the economy.”



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Department of Defense Increases Chemical Demilitarization Funding Request at McConnell's Urging

February 5, 2007

*DOD officials respond to McConnell’s call for greater funding for chemical weapons disposal at BGAD*



Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell today stated he was encouraged by the President’s FY’08 budget, which includes funding for the disposal of chemical weapons located at the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD). Senator McConnell reached out to Defense Secretary Robert Gates to highlight the importance of eliminating the stockpile of chemical weapons stored at the Richmond, Kentucky facility.



The initial budget request for the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (ACWA) program was to be $297 million, which would have been significantly below last year’s level. At McConnell’s urging, the Department of Defense (DOD) revisited the issue and requested additional funds, bringing the FY’08 request to $351 million.



“I appreciate Secretary Gates taking this issue very seriously,” said McConnell. “This increase in funding is welcome news to the people of Kentucky. While this is only the first step in the budget process, the citizens of Madison County can rest assured that I remain committed to the safe disposal of chemical weapons at the Blue Grass Army Depot.”



The President’s FY’08 budget was delivered to lawmakers today.



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McConnell Praises Passage of Minimum Wage Package

February 1, 2007

“This is a victory for both those who earn the minimum wage and those who pay it”



Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement on Thursday after the passage of the bipartisan minimum wage increase with tax and regulatory relief for small businesses:



“The President and the Republican Congress were clear on the need to couple an increase in the minimum wage with small business tax relief, and this legislation does just that. This is a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together to move critical legislation forward.



“An overwhelming majority of Senators acknowledged creating new jobs and expanding the economy are more important than partisan wrangling. We look forward to working with the House of Representatives to send a final bill to the President that will be a victory for both those who earn the minimum wage and those who pay it.”



H.R. 2 as amended passed by a vote of 94-3.

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