FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is calling on his colleagues to take action on a "multitude of crisis-level issues" facing the United States.

McConnell said in a floor speech Thursday that constituents sent their federal lawmakers to Washington to make a difference. But with an election approaching, he said little is being done to confront major challenges facing the country.

He specifically cited a $16 trillion national debt, Middle East turmoil and high gas prices.

McConnell told his colleagues: "We've got jobs to do. It's about time we did them."

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