What Mitch McConnell said, and what was done

“Mr. President, as Republican leader, I always enjoyed calling our colleagues' attention to longtime Senate staff as they notched milestones of service in our institution, but today, I would like to reflect for a few moments on a longtime advisor who is an institution in his own right.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a good friend of mine and a titan of Kentucky politics. He is the steady hand that has led the Kentucky State Senate as president for a record of more than 12 years--and counting--during which time his leadership has delivered exceptional wins for the Commonwealth.”

“Robert is a champion for Kentucky businesses, tirelessly pushing for significant incentives that attract investment to the Commonwealth. These include lowering the State income tax, providing tax credits to the entertainment industry, and a host of other policies, all of which have helped foster a business-friendly atmosphere in Kentucky.”

“Mr. President, later today, the Senate will consider a resolution from my good friend and colleague Senator Kaine of Virginia. The purpose, as our colleague puts it, is to prevent the Nation from sending our young people to die in war without legitimate justification.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a true patriot, proud American, and good friend of mine, Sanford ``Dan'' Caudill. Sadly, Dan passed away on December 17 of last year after a private battle with cancer.”

“Madam President, hard power is the cornerstone of U.S. national security. It is the credibility behind our commitments to defend our core interests, and investing accordingly is one of Congress' core responsibilities.”

“Mr. President, for years, the most pressing concern about the future of NATO was whether and when European allies would take the obligations of collective defense more seriously.”

“Mr. President, I would like to make just a few brief observations ahead of the vote on Senator Kaine's War Powers Resolution. The War Powers Act is not the law I would have written, and there are reasonable questions about its constitutionality.”

“The President's authorities to conduct military operations may be wide and well-established, but they incur a responsibility to situate decisive actions in broader, longer-term strategy. Maduro is an authoritarian thug.”

“Mr. President, the language I helped secure in the Agriculture appropriations bill addresses a serious concern regarding the manufacturing and selling of unregulated, intoxicating THC products nationwide. I led the effort to legalize industrial hemp through the 2014 pilot program and the 2018 farm bill.”

“Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to my good, longtime friend, U.S. District Court Judge for the Western District of Kentucky Charles R. Simpson III, in special celebration of the upcoming ceremony at the Gene Snyder U.S.”

“Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to an accomplished and compassionate Kentucky business leader Dr. Laurence ``Larry'' Benz, the founder of Confluent Health. I have had the opportunity to work alongside Larry, and we have developed a strong friendship.”

“Mr. President, I know that many of our colleagues and the American people have seen the tragic news out of my hometown just yesterday. And I am grateful for their thoughts and their prayers this morning directed toward the people of Louisville.”

“Mr. President, government shutdowns have real consequences. I have said that countless times during my time here. Incredibly, it seems to have taken Democrats a month to remember that the proverbial stove is, in fact, already hot.”

“Mr. President, my position on government shutdowns is pretty well-known. There is absolutely nothing to gain in taking basic government functions hostage for eleventh-hour partisan demands. I hope our Democratic colleagues will relearn that lesson in short order because the American people have plenty to lose from freezing important functions of the Federal Government.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to discuss the original intent of the 2018 farm bill's Federal hemp legislation and the need to restore it. Earlier this year, a report from the University of Kentucky found that cannabis-related poisonings among Kentuckians under 18 rose by 43 percent between 2023 and 2024.”

“Mr. President, today I would like to pay tribute to my friend Candance Castlen Brake, president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. Candance is retiring this year after a decade leading the chamber, and I ask my colleagues to please join me in recognizing Candance for her devotion to serving the public and making her community a better place.”

“Mr. President, as a University of Louisville sports fan, Saturday, June 28, 2025, is going to be a memorable day for me. My friend and Louisville legend Tom Jurich is receiving a long-overdue honor from the University he helped build into a national sports powerhouse.”

“Mr. President, as sports lovers, we all have our local columnists who are the go-to source for the ins and outs of our favorite sports teams. In my hometown of Louisville, KY, Rick Bozich, is one of my favorite go-to guys.”

“Mr. President, on March 11, 2025, Kentucky lost a distinguished athlete, businessman, and mentor to many. Ulysses Lee Bridgeman, known to most as ``Junior,'' wrote history on the basketball court, throughout Kentucky and beyond.”

“NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, then quickly traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, where he spent 10 out of his 12 seasons playing professional basketball. He played 711 games and scored 9,892 points, where he holds the record for third most games played and the ninth most points in franchise history.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a driven and highly accomplished Kentuckian Alecia Webb-Edgington. Alecia was recently named 2025 Person of the Year by the Covington Education Foundation in honor of her work impacting the northern Kentucky community as president of the Life Learning Center.”

“Board. Community is the heart of her focus in all her endeavors. She is a proven leader with exceptional experience whose talent inspires her peers and colleagues to follow her with a high level of confidence.”

“Mr. President, I rise today to honor Dr. Robert ``Bob'' Jackson, the 14th president of Murray State University, who will be stepping down from the helm after more than 6 years of leadership.”

“Mr. President, I want to take a moment today to recognize a friend and leader from western Kentucky, State Senator Danny Carroll, who continues to represent his home district, Kentucky's second District, so well since elected in 2014.”

“Madam President, I rise today to congratulate my friend and fellow Kentuckian Craig Williams for receiving the Defense Community Champions Award. He is one of 18 recipients this year across the country honored for making a difference in the defense community.”

“Madam President, I rise today to recognize Katy Hagan, who has retired after 18 years of service on the staff of the Senate Appropriations Committee. As a budget analyst at the Defense Subcommittee, Katy dedicated her career to the security of our Nation and the well-being of servicemembers and their families.”

“Mr. President, I want to take a moment today to congratulate Candace McGraw, CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), on her upcoming retirement. Candace has been a friend and a leader in northern Kentucky for many years, and I would like to join her family, friends, and colleagues in celebrating her great success.”

“Mr. President, my views on America's interest in Ukraine are well known. I spent the better part of the last 3 years, here on this floor, pointing out the glaring connections between European security and the security of America's interest all across the globe--core national security interests that determine our prosperity.”

“Mr. President, the Committee on Rules and Administration has adopted rules governing its procedures for the 119th Congress. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, on behalf of myself and Senator Padilla, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the committee rules be printed in the Record.”

“Mr. President, I have never liked calling too much attention to today's date, February 20, but I figured my birthday would be as good a day as any to share with our colleagues a decision I made last year.”

“During my time in the Senate, I have only really answered to two constituencies: the Republican conference and the people of Kentucky. Over the years, that first group trusted me to coordinate campaigns, to count votes, to steer committees, to take the majority, and, on nine occasions, to lead our conference.”

“Mr. President, in the early 1800s, a band of pioneers settled in Kentucky's Jackson Purchase founding what would become McCracken County. At the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers, this settlement grew over time into a bustling center for business, agriculture, and the arts.”

“Another important moment in McCracken's history came in the Cold War, when the community bolstered American security at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, which began production of enriched uranium in 1952.”