Kentucky's senior U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell, toured tornado damage today in Laurel County.

17 people died there as a tornado hit a week ago.

Speaking at Heart Baptist Church after his tour, Senator McConnell talked about the bad timing for the tornado to hit at night.

So this is a worst case scenario with everybody presumably being asleep in the middle of the night.

And, that heroic effort that I've witnessed on behalf of volunteers and local officials is really inspiring.

And I wanted to come and thank them, for all they're doing.

And the people they're comforting and praying for all of those who were injured because of this.

A devastating occurrence.

And Senator McConnell talked about whether President Donald Trump will sign off on a federal disaster declaration here.

Yeah, I think it's going to happen.

The governor's made his request.

Congressional delegation of all signed it.

The next step is from the white House.

And I have no indication that he won't sign it.

If ever there were a clear case of this is dead.

Senator McConnell also discussed the president's tax and budget plan that just passed the U.S. House by one vote earlier this week.

He says the Senate will make changes, and that process could take weeks.

Senator McConnell's Kentucky colleague, Rand Paul, says the bill adds too much to the national debt.