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Senate Passes McConnell-Sponsored Bill to Honor our First Responders

September 19, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell applauds Senate passage of "Don’t Tax Our Fallen Public Safety Heroes Act,” which clarifies that both federal and state death benefits for the survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty should be treated the same and not be subjected to federal income tax. Survivor benefits for federal law enforcement officers are currently not subject to federal income tax, but there is some ambiguity about the treatment of these benefits for similar state-based programs. Senator McConnell is a cosponsor of the legislation.

“This legislation is about honoring the sacrifices of those on the front-line in protecting Kentucky communities, state and local law enforcement officers, and ensuring the surviving families of those killed in action are treated the same as federal officers,” Senator McConnell said. “I have heard from friends in Kentucky law enforcement who support this common sense measure and I proudly stand with them.”

McConnell Welcomes Passage of Legislation to Help Sexual Assault Victims

September 18, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell issued the following statement following Senate passage of the Debbie Smith Act, legislation that would help to ease the backlog of DNA samples from victims of sexual assault:

“The Senate did the right thing today by passing the Debbie Smith Act, which will help speed up the testing of rape kits to solve crime, provide relief to the victims of sexual assault and help ensure that more perpetrators of these terrible crimes are brought to justice. This important bill has already passed the House of Representatives and is now on the way to the White House where President Obama is expected to sign it. I have been privileged to meet several times with the namesake of this bill, Mrs. Debbie Smith, and honored to have Debbie and her husband Rob join me at the Kentucky State Police Laboratory last month where she explained in compelling terms the real world implications of the legislation and need for its passage. It is just and fitting for Congress to pass this bill that is named for such a tireless advocate for those who suffer terrible abuse.” 

Background: Debbie Smith was the victim of a violent attack in 1989 but the rape kit used to gather evidence sat on a shelf untested for years while her attacker was free to prey on more victims. Years later, the rape kit was finally tested and Debbie’s attacker was brought to justice.

Senator McConnell Unveils Legislation to Make College Savings Plans More Accessible to Lower- and Middle-Income Kentucky Families

September 18, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell introduced legislation today to make it easier for Kentucky families to pay for their child’s higher education. Senator McConnell’s bill, the Enhanced 529-Setting Aside for a Valuable Education (Enhanced 529-SAVE) Act, will make 529 college savings plans more accessible to lower- and middle-income Kentucky families.

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan that is designed to encourage Americans to save for future college costs. 529 plans can be sponsored by states, state agencies, or educational institutions and they are authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.

“My legislation will help families and individuals pay for higher education expenses, and I urge my colleagues to consider and pass this measure,” Senator McConnell said. “I remain committed to making higher education more affordable and accessible for our nation’s students, and this bill will help lower- to middle-income families and individuals in Kentucky save for their child’s future.”

Senator McConnell championed efforts to ensure that 529 plans would be 100-percent tax-free at the federal level. In 2001, he authored the Setting Aside for Valuable Education, or SAVE, Act, which was included in a tax package that became law.  In 2006, he helped make permanent the tax benefits under these accounts.

The Enhanced 529-SAVE Act would make 529 plans more accessible by encouraging employers to contribute to an employee’s 529 plan and up to $600 of the employer’s contribution would be excluded from an employee’s gross income.  The Enhanced 529-SAVE Act would also create an incentive for lower-income families and individuals to save money for college by allowing the individual who contributes to the 529 plan to qualify for the Saver’s Credit, which is an income-based, non-refundable tax credit up to $4,000.

The Enhanced 529-SAVE Act is similar to H.R. 529, introduced in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins of Kansas.

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