The Leader Board
Currently showing results related to National Security
‘Pompeo Is The Right Man’
30 Bipartisan Former National Security Officials Say 'Director Pompeo Is A Strong Choice To Lead The Department Of State' "Thirty former government officials with national security experience have written a letter to the top Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations committee, Sens. Bob Corker and Bob Menendez, endorsing the current CIA Director and former Kansas Congressman [Mike Pompeo]. The authors cite the 'hot wars' in Syria and Afghanistan, emerging crises in Ir… Continue Reading
03.22.18
Restoring America’s Military
Omnibus Bill 'Delivers The Largest Year-On-Year Increase In Defense Spending In Fifteen Years' SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: "The agreement provides the biggest year-over-year increase in defense funding in 15 years. Combined with FY2018 funding previously approved by Congress for missile defense and disaster response, the Defense Department will receive more than $61 billion over the 2017 enacted level. The omnibus measure funds a 2.4 percent pay increase for troops and includes substanti… Continue Reading
03.19.18
‘Sustain Our Military's Primacy’
'Our Backlog Of Deferred Readiness, Procurement, And Modernization Requirements Has Grown In The Last Decade And A Half And Can No Longer Be Ignored.' SEC. MATTIS: 'Congressional Action Will Ensure Our Military Can Defend Our Way Life, Preserve The Promise Of Prosperity, And Pass On The Freedoms You And I Enjoy To The Next Generation' 2018 National Defense Strategy: "To address the scope and pace of our competitors' and adversaries' ambitions and capabilities, we must invest in modernization… Continue Reading
02.08.18
‘Budget Agreement Is Indispensable For Our National Security’
Defense Secretary Mattis: 'No Strategy Can Survive Without The Necessary Stable, Predictable Funding' JAMES MATTIS, Secretary of Defense: "I cannot overstate the negative impact to our troops and families' morale from all this budget uncertainty. Today's Congressional action will ensure our military can defend our way life, preserve the promise of prosperity, and pass on the freedoms you and I enjoy to the next generation." (Sec. Mattis, White House Press Briefing, 2/07/2018) SENATE MAJOR… Continue Reading
02.06.18
‘Vote To Remove The Uncertainty That Is Hanging Over Our Armed Forces’
SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "…we have the opportunity to make real progress with an immediate step that every Senator in this chamber should support - passing a fiscal year 2018 defense appropriations bill. We can vote to remove the uncertainty that is hanging over our armed forces and secure the current year funding that our servicemembers deserve." (Sen. McConnell, Floor Remarks, 2/6/2018) SEC. MATTIS: 'Our Troops Have Stoically Shouldered A Much Greater Burden' JAMES MATTIS, Secre… Continue Reading
01.30.18
Improving The Lives Of The American People
The Major Accomplishments Of The 115th Congress SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "When President Trump delivers his State of the Union address, he will have outstanding news to share. After a decade of sluggish growth and stagnant paychecks, our country is back on the right track. Optimism is sweeping across the country, and the economy is finally gaining momentum. The Trump administration has worked with the Republican Congress to improve the lives of the American people. … Republicans have… Continue Reading
01.19.18
Dem Shutdown Would Have ‘A Terrible Impact’ On Our Military
Defense Secretary Mattis Warns A Government Shutdown Will 'Shut Down' Maintenance, 'Stop' Intelligence Operations, 'Stop' Reserves Training Q: "Secretary Mattis, one last question. Will a government shutdown have serious ramifications on military operations …?" … SECRETARY OF DEFENSE JAMES MATTIS: "Yes … it's got a terrible impact." (Secretary Mattis, Press Conference, 1/19/2018) SECDEF MATTIS: In A Shut Down 'Over 50% Altogether Of My Civilian Workforce Will Be Furlough… Continue Reading
01.18.18
Government Shutdown ‘Tough’ For Military Bases, Communities
Workers In Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Washington, Colorado, Missouri And Elsewhere Worry 'If The Base Shuts Down, That Affects Everybody In This Area,' 'Will Have An Incredible Impact' THEN-SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHUCK HAGEL: "…what happened in 2013 when we had to stop training, stop flying, stop sailing, when we had a government shutdown for more than two weeks. We had to also furlough civilians. That was a tough time." ("Remarks By Secretary Hagel At A Troop Event At Whiteman Air Force Bas… Continue Reading
01.09.18
The World Remains Dangerous
The Need To Provide Our Military With Adequate, Predictable Funding To Meet Multiple Security Threats Is Clear SEN. JOHN McCAIN (R-AZ): "In a recent letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Secretary Mattis explained, 'BCA-level funding reverses the gains we have made in readiness, and undermines our efforts to increase lethality and grow the force. Without relief from the BCA caps, our air, land, and sea fleets will continue to erode. BCA caps obstruct our path to modernization, and cont… Continue Reading
01.04.18
Debt of Honor
SEN. McCONNELL: 'We Need… A Funding Agreement That Gives Our Men And Women In Uniform The Tools And Training They Need' SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "Since fiscal year 2013, defense cuts have outpaced domestic spending cuts by $85 billion. To fix this, we need to set aside the arbitrary notion that new defense spending be matched equally by new non-defense spending. There is no reason why funding for our national security and our servicemembers should be limited by an arbitrary political… Continue Reading
12.15.17
A Clear And Present Danger
SEN. MCCAIN: 'The Lack Of Stable, Sufficient, And Predictable Funding Has Had A Devastating Impact On Our Armed Forces' SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "Our nation faces myriad threats from around the globe, and it is the Senate's responsibility to provide the service chiefs with the resources to train and equip our warfighters-and provide them with the resources they need to keep us safe. The diverse challenges posed by Iran, China, Russia, North Korea, ISIL, al-Qaeda, and its affiliates span the… Continue Reading
12.12.17
‘China Fears The Tax Changes Could Make The U.S. A More Attractive Place To Do Business’
'In The Beijing Leadership Compound Of Zhongnanhai, Officials Are Putting In Place A Contingency Plan To Combat Consequences For China Of U.S. Tax Changes…' 'Beijing Fears The Tax Changes Could Make The U.S. A More Attractive Place To Do Business' "Beijing fears the tax changes could make the U.S. a more attractive place to do business and, combined with expected higher U.S. interest rates, sap investment from China." ("U.S. Tax Plan Draws Attacks Abroad…" The Wall Street Journ… Continue Reading
11.09.17
ANWR: ‘A Tremendous Opportunity For Both Alaska And Our Country’
SEN. MURKOWSKI: 'The Economic Benefits Will Be Substantial, Our National Security Will Be Strengthened, And The Environmental Impacts Will Be Minimal' SEN. MURKOWSKI: This Legislation 'Will Put Us On A Path Toward Greater Prosperity' SEN. LISA MURKOWSKI (R-AK): "This legislation is a tremendous opportunity for both Alaska and our country… The legislation I released tonight will put us on a path toward greater prosperity by creating jobs, keeping energy affordable for families and busi… Continue Reading
09.11.17
NDAA: ‘Rebuilding Our Military’
Defense 'Legislation Begins To Address The Readiness Shortfall, Crisis In Modernization, And Eroding Military Advantage By Recapitalizing And Reinvesting In Our Forces' SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JOHN McCAIN (R-AZ): "The NDAA starts the process of rebuilding our military after six years of devastating cuts to our defense budget. By supporting $640 billion for defense, this legislation begins to address the readiness shortfall, crisis in modernization, and eroding military advantag… Continue Reading
08.03.17
Real Reform For American Veterans
SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "Under the last Administration, we learned of a shocking scandal that spread through Veterans Affairs facilities across the nation. Our veterans deserved far better. Ever since, Congress has continued to work on a number of initiatives that are designed to bring more justice to veterans and bring more reform to the VA. Senator Isakson, the Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, has been a tireless advocate for our nation's veterans and a driving force on seeing … Continue Reading
07.17.17
Patrick Shanahan ‘An Extremely Qualified Candidate’
'Senate Will Vote To Break A Democratic Filibuster Of Patrick Shanahan' To Give 'Secretary Mattis The Senior Leadership He Needs' Today The 'Senate Will Vote To Break A Democratic Filibuster' "On Monday evening, the Senate will vote to break a Democratic filibuster of Patrick Shanahan to be deputy secretary of defense." ("…Here's What Congress Is Up To This Week," CNN, 7/17/2017) SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ): "In order to rebuild the military, the Pentagon needs to ramp up readiness program… Continue Reading
06.12.17
Iran’s Ongoing Provocations
Missile Tests, Exchanges With North Korea, And Proxy Wars SECRETARY OF DEFENSE JAMES MATTIS: "Everywhere you look, if there is trouble in the region, you find Iran." ("Indications Iran Doubling Down On Use Of Proxy Forces," Voice Of America, 5/31/2017) "The Senate is expected to vote this week on bipartisan legislation that would expand U.S. sanctions against Iran's ballistic missile program and also target its support for terrorism, human rights violations and transfers of conventional weap… Continue Reading
06.07.17
Putting American Veterans First
'We Cannot Break Faith With The Americans Who Bravely And Willingly Fight On Our Behalf' SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "…Americans across the nation are counting on us to help ensure better quality health care for our veterans. This is a critical issue for each of us, no matter what state we hail from, no matter what party we represent. Our veterans have sacrificed so much, and in return, they deserve our support. We must keep the commitment we have to them when it comes to ensuring the V… Continue Reading
05.02.17
A ‘Win for the American People’
VICE PRESIDENT PENCE: The budget deal "will avert a government shutdown but more important than that there's going to be a significant increase in military spending. Our armed forces have been hollowed out in recent years by budget cuts. 21 billion dollars in defense spending in this bill. There's also a down payment on border security. I think the American people are encouraged to hear that since our inauguration, illegal border crossings are down 60 plus percent in this country. And in this bi… Continue Reading
03.23.17
Tail Wagging The Donkey
'If Judge Gorsuch Can't Achieve 60 Votes In The Senate, Could Any Judge Appointed By A Republican President'? SEN. MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "If Judge Gorsuch can't achieve 60 votes in the Senate, could any judge appointed by a Republican president be approved with 60 or more votes in the Senate?" (Sen. McConnell, Press Conference, 3/21/17) "'If this man doesn't get 60 votes, then I don't believe we can ever find a Republican in the country, presidential pick, that would get 60 votes,' Republica… Continue Reading
