Update, McConnell shenanigans

First, the long-term highway bailout that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) brought to the floor and then stuffed with corporate welfare for his K Street cronies has stalled.

Thanks to pressure from the grassroots, the House refused to take up the Senate bill and will pass a short-term extension instead.

This is an important victory that has prevented the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im), but the fight is far from over.

When Congress returns from the August break, a House-Senate conference committee will write a new long-term bill, which could include Ex-Im and many other liberal provisions.

Second, the outcry from conservatives over Senator McConnell's decision to block an amendment to defund Planned Parenthood has been so intense, he decided to schedule a vote on a similar bill this week.

This wouldn't have happened without you.

Of course, this vote is just posturing by Senator McConnell who is desperate to calm the voters in Kentucky who now know that corporate welfare is more important to him than innocent unborn babies.

Everyone knows that this standalone bill can easily be vetoed by the president and has next to no chance of being signed into law.

Like the establishment's drive-by votes to repeal Obamacare, this bill isn't meant to be signed into law. Rather, Republicans hope to convince conservative voters that they stand for something without actually having to accomplish anything meaningful.

If Republicans truly want to stop taxpayer-funded abortions, they will have to add the funding limitation to a must-pass bill, and really fight for it.

This won't happen unless we keep up the pressure.

Senator McConnell has surrendered the power of the purse and will never stand up to the president when it matters.

Thank you again for making your voices heard this week. Your efforts have stalled the Senate's highway bill and forced the Senate to schedule a vote against Planned Parenthood.

We will continue to keep you updated as these issues develop and tell you what you can do to make a real difference.

Sincerely,

Ken Cuccinelli II
President
Senate Conservatives Action