McConnell: ‘The American people Have Questions'

Press Release

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks Wednesday on the Senate floor regarding the request for the remaining TARP funding:

"Many of us originally supported the economic rescue plan because we recognized we needed to act immediately to prevent an economic disaster.

"I heard from a lot of Kentuckians last fall who were hurting and wanted the government to help -- and I am still hearing that from small business owners and others across Kentucky who need help.

"But those same Kentuckians are quick to call for assurances that, whatever the federal government does, it should be undertaken with the assurance that taxpayer money will be spent wisely and will actually stimulate economic growth.

"The American people have questions, and so does Congress.

"We want assurances that, if we decide to release additional funding, this money will not be wasted, that it will not be used for the industry-specific bailouts that some House Democrats are already requesting.

"We will be receiving briefings from President-elect Obama's team and we are eager to hear from them.

"While I feel strongly that we must continue to stabilize the economy, I would find it exceedingly difficult to support additional taxpayer funds without serious assurances from the incoming administration that the taxpayers will be protected."

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