U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell✓

RT @WSJopinion: Coddling Putin won’t bring peace to Ukraine. Trump’s obeisance to the Kremlin also imperils his legislative agenda in the lame-duck Congress, writes @SenMcConnell

As a lifelong college sports fan, I’m proud to join our Kentucky universities in supporting the Protect College Sports Act. I care deeply about the traditions, rivalries, and communities that make college athletics so special. A national framework for NIL can bring much-needed clarity, consistency, and stability to the evolving landscape of college sports and provide greater certainty for student-athletes.

Kentucky mourns the loss of Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips, who was killed in the line of duty. Trooper Phillips gave his life protecting the people of Kentucky. We are grateful for his courage and service, and we will remember his sacrifice. May God comfort his loved ones as well as all who served alongside him.

RT @SenMcConnell: I want to commend Chairman Boozman for his work on the Farm Bill. As a member of the Agriculture Committee since my first day in the United States Senate, I was proud to vote yes on the Farm Bill on behalf of the hardworking farm families across Kentucky. America’s farmers are the cornerstone of our nation and the backbone of Kentucky’s economy and I wish our Democrat colleagues would have joined Republicans supporting the many important provisions in this Farm Bill. My hope is the bill receives robust bipartisan support on the Senate floor and demonstrates our commitment to our Nation’s farmers and rural communities. @SenateAgGOP

Today, I’ll cast my first Senate vote since I took a bad fall back in June. I’m really looking forward to being back on the Senate floor and seeing my colleagues. My recovery has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio haven’t made it any easier. I’m still not quite back to 100%, but I’ve assured Leader Thune that, as I continue with physical therapy on the advice of my doctors, I will do my best to be present for tough votes when our Conference needs me. Elaine and I are very grateful for all the continued well wishes from our fellow Kentuckians, and I’m glad to get back to more of business as usual on their behalf this month.

I was encouraged by the President’s nomination of Jay Clayton to be the Director of National Intelligence. Mr. Clayton is known to the Senate, and his distinguished prior service, overseeing sensitive financial investigations as SEC Chair and leading consequential national security prosecutions as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, suggests he has the intellect, temperament, managerial capacity, discretion, and experience required by statute for this position. I look forward to the Senate’s consideration of his nomination.

Democrats’ reckless blockade of border security and law enforcement is finally behind us. If there’s a lesson to take from their months of madness, it’s the importance of regular-order, full-year funding bills. And that’s where I’ll continue to put my full attention.

I’m grateful for President Trump’s announcement today that provides significant federal funding for the coal industry in Kentucky. The President’s continued support of coal is a welcome contrast from the Obama-Biden years, when the federal government actively undermined the livelihood of thousands of miners and industry professionals. Those days are no longer. People across the country still depend on coal-fired power for reliable and affordable energy, and it still helps keep the lights on in Kentucky. Support for coal is critical to our nation’s security and the economic well-being of everyday Americans.

It was great to be at Chad Meredith’s investiture today in Lexington, Kentucky, as he officially takes his seat on the federal bench. I’m confident in Chad’s future, and I’m excited for all his coming success as a federal judge.

Families across Kentucky have suffered from the opioid and substance abuse epidemic for far too long. After years of heartbreaking loss, there is finally a glimmer of hope: overdose deaths in Kentucky declined by nearly 23% last year. This progress is encouraging, but our work is far from over. We must keep dangerous drugs out of our communities and support those in recovery. As long as I serve in the Senate, I will keep fighting to prevent and treat addiction in Kentucky.

This week, I’m honored to join communities throughout the U.S. in celebrating National Police Week. Every day, law enforcement officers across the country answer the call to serve and defend our communities. I’m proud to continue my work in the Senate supporting these devoted public servants—federal, state, and local—who put their lives on the line for the security of the American people, and I’m grateful for their bravery and tireless efforts to protect Kentuckians across the Commonwealth.

It was great to attend the groundbreaking of the Brent Spence Bridge today. I was proud to champion this project in the Senate, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that provided billions in federal funding for Kentucky’s infrastructure. Many thanks to all those involved with getting this done. I’m glad that we could celebrate this accomplishment together, and I’m excited to see this bridge go up.

I’m proud to cosponsor @SenJoniErnst’s resolution recognizing this week as National Small Business Week. Kentucky is home to 393,860 small businesses that employ more than 710,000 people and make up the backbone of the Commonwealth’s economy. I’m glad to honor so many hardworking people across our state, and I remain committed to supporting pro-growth policies in the U.S. Senate that help Kentuckians achieve the American Dream.

With the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby this Saturday, the President’s decision to roll back tariffs on bourbon and whiskey is timely and welcome news. 95% of the world’s bourbon is produced in the Commonwealth and the industry employs more than 23,000 hardworking Kentuckians. This move will give businesses the certainty they need to increase investment in Kentucky’s economy. After more than a year of looming high prices and increased costs, Kentucky’s bourbon industry and the consumers that support it can be hopeful for the future.

Three months ago, Congress passed more aid for Ukraine, and @POTUS signed it into law. It’s not charity – it is an investment in a partnership with the world’s leaders in drone technology. Who is withholding appropriated funds from Ukraine? Are senior defense officials unwilling or not allowed to visit Ukraine?

I enjoyed visiting with my friends from @KyElectricCoops. I appreciate their advocacy efforts at the federal level, and I’m grateful for their work providing customers across the Commonwealth with reliable electricity.

Clearly, King Charles wants America to know our allies, who came to our aid after 9/11, still look to us for leadership. On the importance of NATO and handing Russia a defeat in Ukraine, his message is crystal clear.

On Memorial Day, we remember those who put their lives on the line in defense of American freedom. My father was a foot soldier who fought during World War II on the Eastern front. His bravery, and the bravery and determination of his fellow soldiers helped us achieve victory over evil, and so many of his brothers in arms did not make it home. So today we honor them and pledge to move forward with pride and the continued strength to come together to protect and defend our country.