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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement Thursday regarding President Obama’s proposed $3.9 trillion budget:

“Republicans agree with the President that our highest priority is to restart our economy and create jobs. We stand ready to work with him on areas where we can find a bipartisan path, such as entitlements and education reform. However, I have serious concerns with this budget, which demands hardworking American families and job creators turn over more of their hard-earned money to the government to pay for unprecedented spending increases.

“We should be following the lead of American families during these tough economic times and cut unnecessary spending. I agree with the President that we need to make some tough decisions regarding how we spend taxpayer dollars. Unfortunately, at this juncture, while the American people are tightening their belts, Washington seems to be taking its belt off.

“In the coming weeks, we need to see further details and go line by line through the budget. The President has outlined a strong case for giving all Americans, not just members of Congress, a chance to properly review legislation, and I would like to hear what American taxpayers think about how we plan to spend their money.”

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‘The Founding Fathers enshrined the right to free speech in the very first amendment to the Constitution because they knew it was fundamental – that it was the one right without which the others would lose their force’

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Thursday regarding the DeMint Amendment to abolish the so-called Fairness Doctrine:

“In recent months a number of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have expressed support for reinstating the so-called ‘Fairness Doctrine.’

“But let’s be honest: the Fairness Doctrine was anything but fair.

“It amounted to government control over political speech – and in the end it actually resulted in less, not more, political discourse over the airwaves because broadcasters didn’t want to deal with all of its red tape.

“That’s precisely why the Federal Communications Commission repealed it in 1987, and why we must keep it from being reinstated now.

“The reality behind this so-called Fairness Doctrine is that some of my friends on the other side don’t like what they’re hearing on the radio these days.

“So instead of addressing the criticisms head on, they want to silence them.

“Americans won’t stand for that, and we won’t let it happen.

“Government is not the speech police, and I will not support these efforts to restrict free speech.

“The Founding Fathers enshrined the right to free speech in the very first amendment to the Constitution because they knew it was fundamental – that it was the one right without which the others would lose their force.

“They also knew that future generations would have to continue to defend that right from those who viewed it as an obstacle to their goals.

“We should pass the DeMint amendment to kill the so-called ‘Fairness Doctrine’ once and for all.”

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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks Tuesday evening following President Obama’s address to a joint-session of Congress:

“Tonight Kentuckians and all Americans were proud eyewitnesses to history as an African American president addressed a joint session of Congress for the first time.

“Over the years, there have been many important markers in our nation’s long journey toward racial equality. Few have been as compelling as seeing President Obama in the Speaker’s rostrum tonight.

“The President’s message was important and timely: America faces great challenges in the months and years ahead, and I was heartened to hear of his commitment to the millions who are struggling to hold onto homes and jobs and who are worried about what the future holds for themselves and their children.

“As we work to address all these concerns, we will have our differences. Republicans believe the road back to prosperity is paved with greater personal freedom, not bigger government, and that in this moment of economic hardship, we should be more vigilant about spending taxpayer dollars, not less.

“But one thing is clear: working through the current troubles will require a shared commitment as we address America’s challenges ahead.”

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Recent Press Releases

McConnell Statement Regarding the President’s Budget

February 26, 2009

McConnell: ‘The Fairness Doctrine was anything but fair’

February 26, 2009

McConnell: Working Together Necessary to Address America's Challenges

February 24, 2009