Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) strong-armed $914.2 million in federal spending and tax breaks for Kentucky into the recently passed omnibus spending bill — and is making sure Kentuckians know about it.
“I saw a commercial from my likely opponent indicating that I was all that was wrong with Washington,” he said. “So I have a question for her here as we go into the new year: In what way would Kentucky have been better off without any of these items that I put in the year-end spending bill?”
Some of those items are pension benefits for coal miners, tax breaks for spirit distilleries and a new veterans medical center. McConnell claimed “direct responsibility” for those perks at the press conference.
nervously eying Google
I’m thinking the state’s largest newspaper is suitably unimpressed at his blatant attempt to buy votes.
“…In what way would Kentucky have been better off without any of these items that I put in the year-end spending bill?”
And with that, he retreated into his shell and was carted away by a gaggle of Straw Men.
Sadly, the influence of newspapers, particularly responsible ones, has declined sharply in recent decades.
The EXISTENCE of newspapers has declined dramatically in recent years, too many closing across the country and no new ones opening and tweets becoming the primary source of info. Access to the newspaper @tiowally linked to criticizing McConnell requires jumping through hoops.
“Some of those items are pension benefits for coal miners, tax breaks for spirit distilleries and a new veterans medical center. McConnell claimed “direct responsibility” for those perks at the press conference.”
" But here’s the kicker: What McConnell had removed from the must-pass funding legislation. In order to keep the government running, McConnell threw out provisions that would have forced coal companies to commit to higher payments toward the health-care costs of their employees and retirees, nixing requirements to extend the commitment period and modestly increase the tax on coal mining companies that are supposed to support the trust fund."
Keep up the good work, Mitch. Someday you’ll be a fine bitch for some lucky oligarch. Oh, wait…
When the Rs were hell bent on destroying ACA and did to some degree, some of what was going to be jettisoned was payment to miners suffering from black lung disease. So Turtle was for this but now is not.
Must be to pay for “free stuff”. Kentucky gets about 2.30 bucks back for each buck it sends Uncle Sam. A major taker state. It has a favorable balance of payment of 27 billion. It gets 27 billion more than it gives. Each citizen of the state nets about 5K from that. One billion more isn’t all that much. If Kentuckians want to reward the folks that give them money with a vote they should move to California or New York and vote there as those are the folks that give them that 27B.
Moscow Mitch brings the porkski.
Largely their own fault. As wingnuts began their MSM discrediting scheme the papers took an “above it all” stance and why they were above it was kneecapping them. Their inaction put them where they are and they deserve it.
Speaking of political commercials, I live in NJ 2 ‘Benedict’ Van Drew’s district. I saw an ad during the Eagles Cowboys game last Sunday to call him to thank him for supporting Trump.
He’s done in NJ 2. If Trump promised him a ride on Air Force 1 he better cop all the coffee mugs and stationery he can cause he’s toast after Nov 2020.
However the states whose citizens are the loudest in denouncing big government and welfare are the biggest moochers and welfare queens.
Using millions to loot billions.
Someone might want to ask how much federal loot is going into his wife’s family businesses
I lived in rural KY long enough to learn that there are many more rural counties than urban and those counties are mainly controlled by local powerbrokers that McConnell has spent decades cultivating. He is widely unpopular, rarely winning in anything close to a landslide, but win he does. I genuinely hope that enough damage has been done to the Repuglican brand to put his defeat within reach as I do for all the Repugs running but in McConnell’s case I’m not holding my breath or putting bets on it.
Wasn’t there a big stink a handful of years back about getting pork barrel spending out of Washington? Who spearheaded that movement as recently as last May? I can’t seem to recall…
Sens Ben Sasse and Ted Cruz will undoubtedly call out McConnell for this blatant violation of their efforts posthaste.
Mitch McConnell is destined to go to hell.
McGrath needs to publicize the list of bills passed that are sitting on McConnell’s desk.
At one time some but not all of these benefits were called earmarks… Republicans/tea party types were vehemently opposed to this practice. My how times have changed.