[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 16, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4829-S4830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            ECONOMIC GROWTH

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, economic data continue to confirm 
what we have been hearing from American workers and job creators for 2 
years now: This is a pro-worker, pro-family, pro-opportunity economic 
moment. Hardly a day goes by without new headlines highlighting the new 
prosperity in communities that the last administration's policies 
overlooked and the red-hot market for American workers.
  Since January 2017, Republican policies have focused on letting the 
American people control more of their own money and letting American 
businesses create jobs more easily.
  So what are the results? On our watch, unemployment has fallen to 
near 50-year lows and stayed there. Underemployment has fallen too. 
Wages are growing. Month after month, we have had more job openings 
nationwide than Americans looking for work. Specifically, there are 
currently about 1.6 million more job openings than Americans looking 
for work, the widest margin ever recorded.
  Now, these aren't Washington accomplishments. They are the American 
people's accomplishments, but public policy can certainly change the 
conditions. Government can either create the conditions that help lead 
to success or to stagnation.
  For example, bad public policies under the Obama administration help 
to explain why the insufficient and unfair economic ``recovery'' left 
so many places behind. High taxes, heavy regulation, and a hostile 
climate for business--these things all add up. They took a real toll in 
many places.
  Take my home State of Kentucky, for example. Kentucky is proud of our 
diverse economy. We are proud of our great healthcare and aviation 
sectors. We are proud that we are a tourist destination. It turns out 
that Bourbon and horse races are a winning combination.
  We also take huge pride in the kinds of industries that liberal 
policies tend to either forget about or actively work against. I am 
talking about manufacturing and agriculture and mining and coal-fired 
electricity--the things that keep the lights on in America's heartland. 
We could not be prouder of the huge role these sectors play in our 
Commonwealth.
  So it is not surprising that leftwing policies dreamt up in places 
like New York and San Francisco, for places like New York and San 
Francisco, were not too kind to Kentucky--growth that was too slow, 
jobs that were hard to come by. Some so-called experts said it was just 
the ``new normal,'' but we knew better. We knew Kentucky could get back 
on track if we could only get a fair shot and fewer hurdles from 
Washington. We needed the government to stop creating headwinds and 
maybe even create a few tailwinds. That is exactly what happened over 
the last 2\1/2\ years.
  Since January 2017, Republicans in Congress have partnered with the 
Trump administration to get our Nation's opportunity economy going and 
growing again--for everyone. We passed the first comprehensive overhaul 
of the Federal Tax Code in more than a generation. We cut regulations 
that had reduced liberty and stifled our competitiveness. We helped 
American workers and entrepreneurs hang up a big, bright neon sign 
saying ``Open for Business.'' And--no surprise here--working Americans 
have taken the ball and they have run with it.

[[Page S4830]]

  I have already read the national statistics. I am even prouder about 
this. Instead of being left behind, Kentucky is helping to lead the 
charge. The State's unemployment rate has hit and sustained its lowest 
level on record. Again, that is recordbreaking low unemployment.
  Last year, Governor Bevin helped Kentucky to welcome more than $5.3 
billion of planned business investment. This new growth isn't just 
concentrated in urban areas. Rural communities in the Bluegrass are 
seeing more jobs, investment, and expansion as well.
  Of course, it takes more than 2 years to unwind the mistakes of the 
past. Parts of Kentucky are still struggling from the effects of 
liberal policies, and this Republican Senate, the administration, and 
leaders in Frankfort are laser-focused on continuing to invest in and 
fight for recovery.
  In many communities, particularly in rural Kentucky, the lingering 
pain has been hard to shake--the damage to the coal industry, the 
devastation caused by opioid and substance abuse. So more work is 
certainly needed, and I am honored to lead the charge in Washington to 
help Kentuckians confront these challenges.
  Through programs like the Appalachian Regional Commission and the 
abandoned mine land pilot program, we are investing hundreds of 
millions of dollars into struggling areas and out-of-work Americans. In 
Eastern Kentucky, Congressman Hal Rogers and I have partnered with 
local organizations to secure Federal resources for everything from 
skills training to water infrastructure improvements.
  I have helped to secure tens of millions of dollars to aid the 
retraining efforts of the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment 
Program and job-creating programs like the Kentucky Highlands Community 
Development Corporation. We have also secured grants to bolster good 
jobs, support the environment, attract tourism, and promote healthy 
lifestyles.
  These are just a few examples from just one State. There are stories 
like this all over our country. While the previous administration left 
these men and women behind, Republicans recognize their skills and 
their drive. We are investing in their futures.

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