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With Global Tensions Elevated, Timely Defense Funding Is Essential
America's Adversaries Will Not Wait While Democrats Play Politics With The Defense Appropriations Bill SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "In the face of surging great-power adversaries, simple upkeep is not enough to keep America and our allies safe from aggression. Comprehensive funding for research, development, and readiness programs is what's needed. In Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, and beyond we continue to face sustained threats from terrorist organizations. And in t… Continue Reading
08.01.19
Senate Accomplishments In The 116th Congress
Accomplishments Of The 116th Senate Include: TRANSFORMING THE COURTS: Confirmed 13 of President Trump's circuit court nominees and 46 of his district court nominees for a total of 43 and 99 since 2017, respectively. BUDGET AGREEMENT: Passed a bipartisan deal setting government funding levels for the next two years that secures funding increases to support our troops, rebuild and modernize our military, and support the VA Mission Act to provide timely access and care for our nation's v… Continue Reading
07.30.19
‘A Victory For Our National Security’
The Budget Deal Is 'A Victory For Our Military,' Bans Far-Left Poison Pills, And Defends Against Abortion Extremism The Budget Deal Is 'A Victory For Our National Security,' 'A Victory For Our Military,' 'A Victory For Our Veterans,' And 'A Victory For American Families' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "Considering the circumstances of divided government, this is a good deal. … It's a good deal because it achieves the number-one goal on the Republican side of the aisle:… Continue Reading
07.22.19
Our National Security Depends On Our Military Being Fully Funded
Former Secretary Of Defense James Mattis On Sequestration: 'In The Long Term, It Is The Budget Caps … That Impose The Greater Threat To The Department And To National Security' Former Secretaries Of Defense: 'Without Relief From The BCA Caps, Our Air, Land, And Sea Fleets Will Continue To Erode', A 'Real Danger That It Would Hollow Out The Force,' 'Irresponsible' And 'Outrageous' JAMES MATTIS, Former Secretary of Defense: "In the long term, it is the budget caps mandated in the Bud… Continue Reading
07.16.19
Mark Esper Is ‘A Soldier, A Scholar,’ And ‘An All-American Public Servant’
Secretary Mark Esper Has Garnered Bipartisan Praise As 'A Very Solid Nomination,' 'Superbly Well Qualified By Experience And Temperament For The Position' Of Secretary Of Defense Who Demonstrates 'Excellent Judgement,' 'Sound Character And Moral Courage' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "Acting Secretary Esper is an impressive leader with a distinguished record in uniform, on Capitol Hill, in the private sector, and as a senior leader at the Pentagon. I'm glad President Trump h… Continue Reading
06.27.19
‘Arguably The Most Important Piece Of Legislation That Congress Considers Every Year’
This Year's Defense Authorization Provides $750 Billion For National Defense, Including Pay Raises For Our Military, Upgraded Equipment And Capabilities, And The Resources To Strengthen Our Alliances And Confront 'Threats From Great Power Competitors And Rogue Regimes' The Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act by an overwhelming bipartisan 86-8 vote. (S. 1790, Roll Call Vote #188: Passed 86-8, 6/27/2019) 'Ensures The United States Military Will Sustain Its Pl… Continue Reading
02.06.19
‘A Broad Consensus About American Leadership In The World’
Significant Bipartisan Vote Showcases Senate Support For Israel And Jordan And Sanctioning Syria, Highlights Foreign Policy Divisions Among Democrats SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "The Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act would renew our commitment to Israel's security, expand cooperation with Jordan, and impose new consequences on the perpetrators of Assad's brutality in Syria. But when America's national security and vital interests are at stake, some ci… Continue Reading
01.29.19
‘A Serious Threat To Our Nation’
National Security Experts Warn, 'The Fight Is Not Over Against ISIS' And 'A Hasty American Withdrawal' From Afghanistan Could Result In Chaos And A 'Safe Haven For International Terrorists' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "My amendment would acknowledge the plain fact that al Qaeda, ISIS, and their affiliates in Syria and Afghanistan continue to pose a serious threat to our nation. It would recognize the danger of a precipitous withdrawal from either conflict, and highlight th… Continue Reading
01.28.19
Will Democrats Start Voting For Bills They Support Now?
It's Time For Democrats To Resume Their Support For The Package Of Bipartisan Bills That Strengthens America's Allies In The Middle East SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "For weeks, now, Senate Democrats have effectively filibustered this legislation and blocked it from moving forward. At first, my colleague the Democratic Leader said his party was simply opposed to considering any other business during the partial government shutdown. But then, just a few days later, he actua… Continue Reading
11.16.18
A Long List Of Accomplishments
'[T]he Coast Guard Legislation Was Just The Very Latest Installment In A Long List Of Bipartisan Successes Passed By This Senate' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "[This week], we passed legislation to reauthorize the Coast Guard by an overwhelming bipartisan majority. The Senate took action to reaffirm the critical security, interdiction, and rescue missions that keep Americans safe, and to streamline duplicative regulations at the same time. The provision to clarify the regul… Continue Reading
10.10.18
List Of Accomplishments Keeps Growing
Water Infrastructure, FAA Reauthorization, And Landmark Opioids Bill Are Latest Additions To The Accomplishments Of The 115th Congress SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "Earlier this year, the president challenged us to seriously address our nation's crumbling infrastructure. In Congress, we've wasted no time on working to tackle this challenge in a bipartisan way. Here are just a few highlights. The funding bill for fiscal year 2018 included a $21 billion increase in infrastruc… Continue Reading
08.29.18
A Productive August
Senate Remained 'In Session This Month To Continue Working On Behalf Of The American People' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "August is usually a time for Senators to spend more time in our home states, meeting with our constituents and reporting on the progress we've made in Washington. But this August had to be different. There was too much business left unfinished. So I made the decision to keep the Senate in session this month to continue working on behalf of the American… Continue Reading
05.16.18
Gina Haspel: ‘The Right Person To Lead The CIA’
'She Is A Person Of High Integrity With Valuable Frontline And Executive Experience As A Career Intelligence Officer' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "This morning, our colleagues on the Intelligence Committee finished their consideration of Gina Haspel's nomination to be CIA director and reported her nomination favorably with bipartisan support. Senators heard about her thirty-plus years of CIA experience, spanning sensitive operations from the Cold War to the Global War on T… Continue Reading
05.10.18
What Changed, Dems?
How Can 50 Senate Democrats Vote To Confirm John Brennan, But Not Gina Haspel? "Senate Democrats gave President Trump's CIA nominee Gina Haspel a fierce grilling Wednesday over the post-9/11 'enhanced interrogation' program, which is fair enough. The question is, how many will vote against her - after they voted to confirm President Barack Obama's CIA pick, John Brennan, back in 2013? Brennan, after all, was also deeply involved in the use of waterboarding and other now-controversial techniq… Continue Reading
05.09.18
Bipartisan National Security Leaders Support Gina Haspel
Former Obama Administration Officials: 'I'm Glad It's Gina;' Call Haspel 'An Exceptionally Well-Respected Professional,' 'Capable, Smart, Very Experienced' SEN. RICHARD BURR (R-NC), Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman: "I know Gina personally and she has the right skill set, experience, and judgment to lead one of our nation's most critical agencies. I'm proud of her work, and know that my committee will continue its positive relationship with the Central Intelligence Agency under her le… Continue Reading
04.23.18
‘America Will Be Better Off If Mike Pompeo Is Confirmed’
Editorial Pages On Mike Pompeo: 'Solid Knowledge Of The World,' 'A Professional,' 'Has Gained The President's Trust' USA TODAY EDITORS: "Unless a nominee has clear ethical or competency failings, presidents should be accorded wide latitude to select top aides whom they trust and agree with. Pompeo passes that test and merits approval…. Pompeo has a strong record for being tough on Moscow's recent history of malign behavior … Pompeo is no dummy - he graduated from Harvard Law Sc… Continue Reading
04.23.18
‘What Could It Be Other Than Politics?’
Dems Flip-Flop On Pompeo, Once Said 'He Is Smart, Hard-Working And Devoted To Protecting Our Country' '[U]nder Ordinary Times, He Would Be Confirmed Overwhelmingly' "[Democrat S]enators say they are hearing a clamor from their party's base to fight the nomination - and liberal groups want Democrats to increase their opposition to Pompeo …" ("Dems Hedge On Pompeo's Fate, Politico, 4/17/2018) Mike Pompeo was confirmed as CIA Director by a vote of 66-32, with 15 Democrats voting to … Continue Reading
04.20.18
Mike Pompeo, ‘A Highly Qualified Nominee’
Sen. Burr: 'Somebody's Going To Be Hard-Pressed To Show Me Anything That's A Disqualifier Other Than Politics' Sen. Corker: 'We're Much Better As A Nation Having Mike Pompeo As Secretary Of State' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "Here is a man who -- through mastery of the daily briefings he receives, counsel on our nation's most sensitive intelligence activities, and proven leadership in returning our CIA to the aggressive gathering of foreign intelligence -- has inspired … Continue Reading
04.19.18
'Are You Kidding Me?'
Overwhelming Bipartisan Support For Secretaries Of State Was A Long-Standing Senate Tradition SEN. BOB CORKER (R-TN), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman: "[M]y Democratic friends, who know that … the base, if you will, on the Left, will view this as a proxy vote in support of Trump, obviously are finding ways to not vote for him. This is very much against any kind of tradition that we've had here…. [A]nd there's nothing in Pompeo's past that, in any way, could possibly… Continue Reading
04.16.18
‘Confirm Mike Pompeo’
Former Sec. of State Madeleine Albright: 'He Will Be Somebody That Replenishes The State Department' THE WASHINGTON POST EDITORS: "Confirm Mike Pompeo" (Editorial, The Washington Post, 4/12/2018) Democrats: 'The State Department Needs A Secretary Of State Quickly,' Director Pompeo Is 'A Nominee Who Really Answers Our Questions' FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT: "He has been a member of Congress. And he's had a job recently that has put him in a position of knowing an awful lot.… Continue Reading
