Remarks
Currently showing results related to National Security
McConnell Calls For End to Democrat Filibuster of Defense Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding defense appropriations: "Almost exactly a year ago, President Obama addressed the nation and declared his resolve to 'degrade' and 'destroy' ISIL. I'll speak more on that in just a moment, but there were two lines in that speech of particular relevance to the vote we're about to take: "'As Commander-in-Chief, my highest priority is the security of the American people,' he said… Continue Reading
08.05.15
Given Widespread Bipartisan Concern, America Deserves a Serious Debate on the Iran Nuclear Agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding Senate debate of the President's Iran deal: "As the Administration's agreement with Iran comes under greater scrutiny, there is growing bipartisan concern. It's widespread and it's well-founded. "The leading House Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee recently said the deal 'troubled' him because 'it doesn't prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon, it just postpones it.… Continue Reading
08.04.15
McConnell Calls for ‘Thorough, Thoughtful and Respectful’ Senate Debate on Iran Nuclear Agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor outlining the September debate on the President's Iran Deal: "This September, the Senate will formally weigh in on the nuclear deal struck between the White House and Iran. We'll take a vote and answer a simple but powerful question: Will the agreement actually make America and its allies safer? "When we do, the Senate- as an institution- will be put to the test. "The first test will … 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
06.03.15
McConnell Urges Senate Democrats Not to Play Partisan Politics with Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor urging cooperation on the defense bill: "Today, the Senate turns to consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2016. "This legislation, which authorizes funds and sets out policy for our military annually, is always important. But it's especially important now, given the multitude of threats that challenge us as a nation: for instance, the aggressive rise of ISIL, Iran'… Continue Reading
06.02.15
McConnell Opposes Bill that Weakens Counter-Terrorism Tools
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the USA Freedom Act: "Earlier this year I observed that President Obama's national security policy has been noteworthy for its consistent objectives: drawing down our conventional and nuclear forces, withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan, ending the tools developed by the previous administration to wage the War on Terror and placing a greater reliance upon international organi… Continue Reading
06.02.15
McConnell Calls for ‘Sensible Improvements’ to House-Passed FISA Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today urging members to support FISA amendments: "I wish we'd been able to move the cloture and amendment votes we'll consider today to yesterday. "I made an offer to do so because it was hard to see the point in allowing yet another day to elapse when everyone's already had a chance to say their piece, when the end game appeared obvious to all, and when the need to move forward in a t… Continue Reading
06.01.15
McConnell Urges Adoption of Amendments to Improve House-Passed FISA Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding FISA amendments: "Last night, the Senate voted to advance the House-passed FISA bill. We'll have a vote on that legislation as soon as we can. "On our way there, we should take some common-sense steps to ensure the new system envisioned by that legislation - a system we would soon have to rely upon to keep our country safe - will, in fact, work. "The amendments filed last ni… Continue Reading
05.31.15
Senate Working to Continue Key Counterterrorism Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding legislation to preserve important counterterrorism tools to protect American lives: "Last week, I proposed giving the Intelligence Committee the time it would need to work toward the kind of bipartisan legislative compromise Americans deserve - a compromise that would preserve important counterterrorism tools necessary to protect American lives. "That effort was blocked. "Jus… Continue Reading
05.22.15
Anti-Terror Tools Protect Americans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding a 60-day extension of FISA: "Following the attacks of September 11, the United States improved its laws and legal authorities in an effort to better understand the terrorist threat and - rather than treat it as a crime to be handled by civilian prosecution - to combat it as a matter of warfare. But that doesn't mean Al Qaeda and its affiliates stood still. The terrorist threat… Continue Reading
05.11.15
McConnell Discusses Senate Getting Back to Work, Previews Trade and Iran Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding an active Senate: "I took a trip up to Boston this weekend to address the Kennedy Institute. It was a unique experience. "I was there - in a full-scale representation of the Senate chamber - to discuss how the real Senate is beginning to get back to work. "I explained how committees are working again, so Senators can have more of a stake in the legislative process. "I expla… Continue Reading
05.07.15
Passage of Iran Bill Would Give Congress a Chance to Review Iran Nuke Agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today emphasizing the importance of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act: "It's good to see that the Senate will soon be passing another important piece of bipartisan legislation. "The Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act offers the best chance for our constituents, through the Congress they elect, to weigh in on the White House's negotiations with Iran. "And make no mistake, they need to… Continue Reading
05.06.15
McConnell Calls for Senate Passage of Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor calling for Senators to pass the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act: "The Senate is now nearing completion of the bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. This is a bipartisan bill based on an important principle: that the American people, through the Congress they elect, deserve a say on one of the most important issues of our time. "It would require that any agreement reached with… Continue Reading
04.14.15
Busy Senate Agenda Includes Important Domestic, National Security Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor previewing the busy Senate agenda: "This week looks to be a busy one in the Senate. "We've got a lot of important legislation to consider. We're hoping our friends across the aisle will work with us to do so in an expeditious manner. "For instance: "We'll begin the process of finishing our work on the balanced budget the Senate passed just before Easter. "Passing that balanced budget w… Continue Reading
03.04.15
Bipartisan Bill Would Allow Congress to Review, Vote on an Obama-Iran Agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor urging Senate Democrats not to filibuster the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015: "Yesterday the Prime Minister of Israel shared with the Congress and the American people his perspective regarding Israel's national security interests and the threat the radical regime in Tehran poses to stability in the greater Middle East. The Prime Minister explained later in the day in a meeti… Continue Reading
03.03.15
Senate to Debate Bipartisan Bill Requiring Congressional Approval of Any Agreement with Iran
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding bipartisan legislation that would allow Congress to review and vote on any agreement with Iran: "This morning, Prime Minister Netanyahu laid out the threat posed by a nuclear Iran in clear terms- not just to Israel, not just to the United States, but to the entire world. "He reminded us that no deal with Iran is better than a bad deal with Iran. "That seems to run counter to… Continue Reading
03.03.15
McConnell Welcomes Prime Minister Netanyahu to U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today welcoming Prime Minister Netanyahu to the U.S. Capitol: "Later this morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will deliver an important address to Congress. "Members of both parties extend a warm welcome to him. This leader is a great friend of our country, and his visit comes at a critical moment in the relations between our countries. "The Prime Minister's address coi… Continue Reading
01.07.15
McConnell: Senate Focus Will Be Jobs Legislation, Concerns of the Middle Class
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement outlining the goals for the 114th Congress: "Yesterday, we inaugurated the 114th Senate of the United States Congress. "We welcomed back many dedicated members and swore in many new ones. I have high hopes for our new colleagues. They share the resolve of my conference to restore the Senate to a place of high purpose. And they're determined to make a positive difference in the lives of the people who sen… Continue Reading
