Remarks
Currently showing results related to National Security
Biden Administration Delivers Second Year of Overwhelming Failures
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding President Biden's State of the Union: "This evening, President Biden will begin the back half of his term with his State of the Union address to Congress. "But the White House's attempts to script the message for this week have been upset by recent events. Over the last several days, the country learned that on President Biden's watch, the state of our uni… Continue Reading
01.25.23
McConnell Welcomes Overdue Announcements on New Ukraine Aid
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Ukraine: "Here on the floor yesterday, I called on America's European allies, including Germany, to do more to equip Ukraine with long-requested tanks - not just to resist Russian aggression, but to defeat it. "I have consistently called on the Biden Administration to be more proactive and to lead by example in delivering lethal aid like long-range weapons… Continue Reading
01.24.23
McConnell: Ukraine Assistance Must Aim at Victory
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Ukraine: "It's been almost a full year since Vladimir Putin escalated Russia's brutal war against Ukraine. "Nearly nine years since he began his military effort to take over the sovereign country in early 2014. "And Putin's non-military efforts to meddle in Ukraine, undermine it, and control its population long predated that. "It's been fifteen years sin… Continue Reading
12.21.22
McConnell on Zelenskyy Visit: Helping Ukraine Directly Serves Core American Interests
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Ukraine: "Later today, members of Congress will have the opportunity to assemble in a Joint Meeting and hear from President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. "I look forward to welcoming President Zelenskyy to the Capitol, and to hearing from the Ukrainian people's elected leader at a critical moment in their struggle for their safety and sovereignty against Russia's … 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
12.19.22
Congress Should Fix the President’s Broken Defense Budget Request
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding government funding: "When the Biden Administration put out their budget proposal, Republicans knew it was wrong for the country. "The Administration wanted to cut funding for our Armed Forces after inflation while massively increasing spending on non-defense. "Republicans have taken the President's bizarre position and flipped it on its head. "The bipart… Continue Reading
12.13.22
Ukraine Support Is One Example of American Leadership Paying Dividends
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Ukraine and national defense: "Senate Republicans have spent months focused on the need for a strong, bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act and robust funding for our Armed Forces. "Defending our homeland, deterring future threats, and supporting our allies and partners should not be last-minute low priorities. "They're fundamental duties if we wa… Continue Reading
12.07.22
“Strong, Bipartisan NDAA” a Crucial Step for Defending America
"Yesterday evening, the Senate and House Armed Services Committees released a strong, bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act. "As Republicans have said for months and I repeated yesterday, our servicemembers, commanders, and civilian leaders should not have had to wait until mid-December to gain certainty for a fiscal year that's already more than two months over. We have got to take our national defense, military modernization, and defense-industrial base as seriously as our rivals take… Continue Reading
12.06.22
McConnell to Democrats: Stop Delaying NDAA Over “Miscellaneous Pet Priorities”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding national defense: "Here we are again, Mr. President - into the month of December with crucial business unfinished. "Republicans spent months urging the Democratic majority not to neglect this year's National Defense Authorization Act; not to leave our Armed Forces to the last minute. Five months ago, I called on our colleagues to process the defense bill a… Continue Reading
11.29.22
U.S. Must Invest in American Strength, Security, and Alliances
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding China and U.S. foreign policy: "The world's eyes are trained this week on the people of China, who appear to be engaged in the largest and most widespread protests against the country's repressive Communist Party government since 1989 and the events of Tiananmen Square. "While most of the rest of the world has learned how to adapt to the coronavirus, mitig… Continue Reading
08.03.22
Finland, Sweden NATO Accession Deserves Unanimous Bipartisan Support
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding NATO: "Today, the Senate will approve ratification protocols to welcome Finland and Sweden as the two newest members of NATO. "I appreciate Leader Schumer working with me to ensure the Senate takes this vote before the August recess. "And for the reasons I've explained for months now, the vote this afternoon will be as decisive as it is bipartisan. "Ther… Continue Reading
07.26.22
Senate Must Act Quickly on Sweden, Finland NATO Accession and Bipartisan NDAA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding NATO and Ukraine: "This past Saturday brought yet another escalation in Russia's brutal war in Ukraine. "The ink had barely dried on a deal securing safe passage for Ukrainian grain exports when Russian missiles hit the port city of Odessa. "Ukraine produces one fifth of the world's high-grade wheat. Russia's Black Sea blockade and destruction of Ukraine'… Continue Reading
06.14.22
U.S. Must Learn From Ukraine Crisis and Invest in Real, Robust Defense Growth
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Ukraine and National Defense: "The latest news from Ukraine confirms that our friends need more robust weaponry, and fast. "'Outgunned Ukraine Needs More Weapons Fast as Russia Advances, Officials Say.' "'Ukraine Pleads For Weapons, Saying Russia Has Much More Artillery.' "The people of Ukraine have inspired the world with their resilience. But resisting… Continue Reading
05.19.22
“Bipartisan Landslide” Will Show Supporting Ukraine Serves Key American Interests
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Ukraine: "Today, the Senate will approve more lethal assistance for Ukraine. And it's going to be a bipartisan landslide. "As a matter of moral principle, the United States is proud to support a sovereign democracy's self-defense. Innocent Ukrainians have been subjected to wanton cruelty. "But aid for Ukraine goes far beyond charity. The future of America… Continue Reading
05.18.22
America’s Partners in Asia Know Ukraine’s Future Will Impact Theirs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Ukraine: "The Ukrainian people's fight to repel Russian invaders from their sovereign territory has been inspiring. The world has watched Ukraine respond to gut-wrenching violence with bravery and unity. "I encouraged President Biden to do more to strengthen Ukraine and NATO's defenses in advance, so as to deter Putin and improve Ukraine's initial ability … Continue Reading
05.17.22
McConnell Supports Strengthening NATO and Honors Forces Deploying from Kentucky
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding NATO and forces deploying from Kentucky: "Speaking of America's national interest, our delegation also visited what we hope and expect will soon be the two newest members of the NATO alliance. "We arrived in Stockholm and Helsinki just as the leaders of Sweden and Finland announced their nations will seek to join the alliance that has secured peace in Euro… Continue Reading
05.17.22
McConnell Discusses Kyiv Visit and Overwhelming Bipartisan Support for Assisting Ukraine
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Ukraine: "Yesterday, in a bipartisan landslide, the Senate advanced legislation to get more arms and assistance to the innocent people of Ukraine. "Senators Collins, Cornyn, Barrasso and I just returned last night from Europe. Our first stop was Kyiv. "It was moving to feel some of the impacts of Putin's aggression. To see a free and independent nation ma… Continue Reading
05.12.22
McConnell: Senate Must Pass Urgent Funding Bill for Ukraine
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Ukraine: "For months, the brave people of Ukraine have been fighting valiantly in a war they did not ask for. Their defense of their homeland from the Russian invasion has already far surpassed the expectations of the skeptics. "Ukraine is not asking anybody else to do their fighting for them. They ask only for the resources they need to defend themselves … Continue Reading
05.05.22
McConnell: Senate Must Focus on Helping Ukraine Win
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Ukraine: "More than two months into Russia's war on Ukraine, the free world has observed a few important dynamics. "First, we saw the incredible resilience of the Ukrainian people, and their resolve to win. Second, we saw how ill-prepared Putin's forces were to encounter serious resistance. But most recently, we've been reminded of what a wounded bear is a… Continue Reading
04.07.22
Biden Budget Underfunds Defense Despite Global Threats
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, President Biden released his budget request for next year. The President got to take a blank canvas and sketch his policy vision for the country. "But in the critical area of defending our nation, the President's vision came up way short. "Even amidst a hot war in Europe, bipartisan recognition of threats from China, North Ko… Continue Reading
