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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor calling on Senate Democrats to end their filibuster of the DHS funding bill:

“Democrats are blockading Homeland Security funding in order to defend executive overreach the President said himself he couldn’t take — many times over.

“As I indicated yesterday, this is the reason the Senate can't move forward. So it needs to end. And here's the simplest and most obvious way it can.

“Many Democrats previously indicated opposition to the kinds of overreach described by President Obama as ‘unwise and unfair.’

“So all they have to do is back those words up with action.

“If Democrats claim to be against overreach and claim to be for funding the critical activities of the Department of Homeland Security, then there’s no reason for them to continue their party’s filibuster.

“So vote with us to allow the Senate to actually debate Homeland Security funding instead.

“We’ve already offered a fair and open debate that would allow for amendments from both parties.

“If the bill needs to be amended, that’s when it could be.

“So this is about Democrats being confronted with a choice: filibuster funding for Homeland Security to protect overreach President Obama himself referred to as ‘ignoring the law,’ or allow the Senate to debate, vote on, and amend the very funding they claim to want.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the President’s proposed AUMF:

“This morning, we received the President’s proposed Authorization for the Use of Military Force against ISIL and its affiliates.

“It was clear from the outset that a successful military campaign to defeat ISIL would require a multi-year effort. So it’s certainly in order for Congress to debate an authorization like this.

“And because Congress must meet its responsibility to decide whether our military should use force, the Senate will review the President’s request thoughtfully. Individual Senators and committees of jurisdiction will review it carefully, and they’ll listen closely to the advice of military commanders as they consider the best strategy for defeating ISIL.

“Because this issue demands such serious consideration, I want our members to have an early opportunity to discuss the President’s request. That’s why, later today, our Conference will meet for a discussion led by Senators Corker and McCain.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the effects of Obamacare on tax returns:

“Many Americans have already started the process of filling out their tax returns.

“It’s a stressful time of year.

“But thanks to Obamacare, many are sure to find it even more stressful.

“Part of this is because of Obamacare’s trillion-plus dollars in tax increases.

“If you have health insurance, Obamacare now has a tax for that.

“If you don’t have health insurance, Obamacare has a tax for that too.

“And whether government bureaucrats deem your coverage too generous or not generous enough, Obamacare has a tax for you.

“Some of these taxes are paid by consumers directly. Others are passed along in the form of higher premiums, increased costs, and lost opportunities. But many fall on the shoulders of the Middle Class.

“And there’s more to the issue too. Because Obamacare has done what many thought impossible: it’s made a mind-numbingly complex tax code even more so.

“For the first time, the government will be asking on your tax returns if you had health insurance for every month of last year.

“And if you didn’t, well, you guessed it—Obamacare has a tax for that.

“But this is only a portion of the cost and complexity Obamacare threatens to impose on millions this tax season.

“Here’s how one health law expert put it:

‘It will be very easy to find people who are unhappy with [Obamacare’s]…new tax obligations — people who have to pay a penalty, who have to wait forever to get through to somebody at the I.R.S. or have to pay back a lot of money because of overpayments of premium tax credits.’

“And this is from an expert who supports Obamacare.

“The truth is, Obamacare is a law that just keeps on giving — giving headaches to the middle class. It meant millions of cancellation notices. It’s meant higher costs for many. And now, this.

“Remember too: The IRS, the same agency charged with processing your tax return, is now in charge of implementing vast sections of Obamacare.

“The same agency that spent so much time trying to silence free speech.

“The same agency that awarded bonuses to employees who owed back taxes.

“This is an agency charged with enforcing Obamacare’s web of complexity.

“Americans are right to question the IRS’ competence to handle so much sensitive information.

“We just received another reminder of that recently.

“One of the Obama Administration’s own Inspectors General released a damning report on this troubled agency.

“The report found that the IRS recently rehired hundreds of individuals who’d left the agency under clouds of misconduct.

“It took back individuals who’d engaged in sexual harassment, criminal misconduct, and fraud.

“On at least one occasion, it ignored case-file notes that warned: ‘do not rehire.’

“The tax collector for America even rehired people who willfully failed to file their tax returns.

“I know the Chairman of the Finance Committee plans to dig into issues like these. He wants answers. We all do. The American people deserve them.

“They’re tired of a seeing a government that’s lost focus on them.

“And they’re tired of enduring Obamacare’s growing list of failed promises.”

Recent Press Releases

McConnell Calls on Senate Democrats to Drop Their Filibuster of DHS Funding Bill

‘If Democrats claim to be against overreach and claim to be for funding the critical activities of the Department of Homeland Security, then there’s no reason for them to continue their party’s filibuster.’

February 11, 2015

McConnell Promises Close Senate Review of President’s Proposed AUMF

February 11, 2015

Thanks to Obamacare, Many Will Face New Tax Penalties This Year

‘The truth is, Obamacare is a law that just keeps on giving — giving headaches to the middle class. It meant millions of cancellation notices. It’s meant higher costs for many. And now, this.’

February 10, 2015