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Currently showing results related to Burma
McConnell on Third Anniversary of Burma Coup
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Burma: “It’s been three years since a thuggish military coup derailed prospects for democracy, unity, and self-determination in Burma. “The military - or Tatmadaw - has engaged in a ruthless, systematic war against the people of Burma. “This war has displaced roughly 2.5 million people. Last year alone, it claimed over 15,000 lives. “And of course, the j… Continue Reading
02.01.23
McConnell on Second Anniversary of Burma Coup and Next Steps
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Burma: "Today marks a solemn anniversary for the people of Burma, and for all of us around the world who've spent years rooting for them to make progress towards greater freedom and more stable democracy. "Two years ago, their hopes of stable democracy were wrenched away by a brutal military coup. "To date, this takeover by the Tatmadaw has displaced 1.2 … Continue Reading
12.20.22
NDAA Contains Key Wins That Don’t Make National Headlines
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding national defense: "Last week, the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act, a landmark step forward for our Armed Forces. This year's bill was named for our distinguished departing colleague, Ranking Member Inhofe. "As I've discussed at length, this year's NDAA was a major step in the right direction to keep the U.S. the world's preeminent supe… Continue Reading
07.25.22
McConnell Condemns Burma Executions and Calls for Action
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Burma: "Over the weekend, Burma's long and difficult struggle toward democracy and freedom took another dark step backwards. "The brutal military junta controlling Burma executed four political prisoners, including the well-known activist Ko Jimmy and Phyo Zeya Thaw, a former elected official and protest musician. Yet more innocent blood shed for the crime… Continue Reading
04.27.22
McConnell on Sham Sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Burma: "Madam President, I along with others had the opportunity to say goodbye to Madeline Albright this morning. "A truly remarkable life. First woman Secretary of State. A remarkable diplomat. And a friend. "We had an opportunity to bond over an issue I'm about to discuss: the people of Burma and the plight that they've had to endure. "Over the years,… Continue Reading
06.14.21
McConnell on Burma: “Work Isn’t Over” For Friends of Democracy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Burma: "The military junta that seized power from Burma's democratically-elected leaders back in February has kept up its campaign of brutal and violent repression. "More than eight hundred people are now dead, and more than 5,000 others have been detained on various charges of resistance. "Just today, the longtime leader of Burma's democracy movement and… Continue Reading
03.01.21
McConnell Defends Democratic Activists in Burma, Hong Kong
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding foreign policy: "Last weekend brought disconcerting headlines for supporters of freedom and democracy in Asia. "In Burma, the military junta's month-long coup turned bloody. 18 protesters have been murdered and at least a thousand civilian officials have been imprisoned on farcical grounds. "In Hong Kong, China's puppet regime arrested forty-seven democra… Continue Reading
02.08.21
Diverse Protests in Burma a “Powerful Display of Courage”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Burma: "Over the weekend hundreds of thousands of protestors stood up across Burma in defiance of the military coup. "For a week now, the military has detained hundreds of civil society leaders and democratically elected officials -- some on mysterious or obviously specious charges, and others without charge at all. "Their actions were illegitimate from t… Continue Reading
11.10.20
McConnell on Sec. Mark Esper and World Affairs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Secretary Mark Esper and world affairs: "Yesterday, the President informed us that Secretary Mark Esper's tenure leading the Department of Defense has concluded. "When the Senate considered Secretary Esper's nomination, I said you could hardly invent better qualifications to run the Pentagon than his resume. From West Point and the 101st Airborne to his time… Continue Reading
09.14.17
McConnell Speaks With Aung San Suu Kyi About Humanitarian Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the humanitarian crisis that is currently taking place along the Burma-Bangladesh border: "In recent weeks, the plight of the Rohingya has received great international attention. Even in the best of times, this beleaguered ethnic minority has eked out a marginal existence in Burma's Rakhine state. The Rohingya are stateless and have faced discrimination and isolation. Media … Continue Reading
09.15.16
McConnell Welcomes Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor ahead of his meeting with Burmese State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi today: "Today I have the distinct honor of welcoming my dear friend, Burmese State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, as she visits the Capitol. "Daw Suu is an incredible woman with an incredible life story. "She's endured much since pro-democracy protests first swept her country many years ago. "What followed … Continue Reading
02.09.16
McConnell Honors Departing Ambassador to Burma, Welcomes Incoming Nominee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered remarks on the Senate floor today honoring Derek Mitchell for his service as the Ambassador to Burma. This afternoon, the Senate will vote to confirm Scot Alan Marciel to be the new U.S. Ambassador to the Union of Burma. "Our Ambassador to Burma, Derek Mitchell, has staunchly pursued America's interests in an important post. He's helped guide our relationship with Burma through an historic transition to elected government.… Continue Reading
11.17.15
Post-Election Transition is a Potential Watershed for Reform Efforts, McConnell Says
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the recent elections in Burma: "On several occasions this year, I have come to the floor and noted that this year's Burmese election would represent a crucial test for the country's path to political reform. The lead-up to this November's election was marked by a number of discouraging structural developments: the disenfranchisement of the Rohingya population and the defeat of… Continue Reading
10.22.15
Burmese Election Must Show Commitment to Democracy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding democratic elections in Burma: "On November 8th, just a few weeks away, the people of Burma will hold national elections. It promises to be a momentous event for a country many of us have studied and followed for a very long time. I say momentous for two reasons. "First, for Burma's citizens, or for many of them at least, this election represents a chance to finally choo… Continue Reading
07.09.15
Outcome of Fall Elections Will Signal State of Political Reform in Burma
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate Floor today regarding Burma: "A few weeks ago, I came to the floor to discuss the importance of Burma's election this fall. I noted that its conduct would tell us a lot about the Burmese government's commitment to the path of political reform. I said that demonstrating that commitment would be critical to reassuring Burma's friends abroad, and that it could even have consequences for further … Continue Reading
06.04.15
McConnell Outlines Challenges, Opportunities Facing Burma in 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding Burma: "Several weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting with Shwe Mann, Speaker of the Burmese Parliament, on his visit to Washington. It was the third time we'd met. "We had a cordial but frank discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing his country in 2015. There are obviously many issues that fall into both categories. "When it comes to challenges: "There's… Continue Reading
