Remarks
Currently showing results related to National Security
McConnell on Turkish Escalation: ‘This Violence Needs To End’
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the situation in Syria: "I know I speak for many of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle in expressing my grave concern at the events that have unfolded in Syria in recent days. "Turkey is our NATO ally. Yes, it hosts millions of Syrian refugees and has legitimate security concerns about the situation in Syria. But Turkey's escalation of hostilities with… Continue Reading
09.11.19
McConnell Thanks Ambassador John Bolton for Service as National Security Advisor
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor thanking Ambassador John Bolton for his service as National Security Advisor: "As he departs the position of National Security Advisor, I want to thank Ambassador John Bolton for his many years of valuable service to our country. Personally, I have always appreciated John's candid and clear advice. He possesses something crucial - the ability to understand the world the way… Continue Reading
07.22.19
Mark Esper: A Well-Prepared Nominee for a Post of Vital Importance
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the president's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper: "The Senate's first order of business this week will be confirming a thoroughly well-prepared nominee to a post of vital national importance. Later today, we'll vote to advance the nomination of Dr. Mark Esper to serve Secretary of Defense. Tomorrow, we'll vote on his confirmation. "When Dr. Esper was nomin… Continue Reading
07.17.19
Secretary of Defense Nominee Mark Esper: A Man of Honor and Integrity
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the president's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper: "Yesterday, our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee heard testimony from Dr. Mark Esper, the Senate-confirmed Secretary of the Army and President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense. They examined his extensive record of military and public service and discussed the variety of challenges the… Continue Reading
06.27.19
Senate to Pass Bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the National Defense Authorization Act and the growing threat of Iranian aggression: "Later today, the Senate will vote to fulfill a solemn responsibility. For a 59th consecutive year, we'll pass the National Defense Authorization Act. I hope and expect we'll do it by a wide, bipartisan margin. It would be difficult to overstate the importance of this legislation … Continue Reading
06.25.19
The Senate and Nation are Closely Watching the Situation in the Gulf
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the growing threat of Iranian aggression: "The Senate and the nation are closely watching the situation in the Gulf. Last week, the recent recklessness from Tehran reached a new level. Iran fired on an unmanned U.S. intelligence aircraft that was flying over international waters. This is as violent and dangerous of an overt provocation as any nation has aimed at t… Continue Reading
06.20.19
McConnell Urges Senate to Stand With America’s Partners in the Middle East
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding arms sales to our partners in the Middle East: "In addition to completing the NDAA, the Senate will today have to dispense with several more privileged resolutions concerning arms sales to close American partners in a troubled but important region. I'm glad we secured a bipartisan understanding yesterday to expedite their consideration, so that the 22 separate res… Continue Reading
06.19.19
National Defense Authorization Act Up Next In Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the need to confirm a new Secretary of Defense and the upcoming Senate debate on the National Defense Authorization Act: "First, I want to express my gratitude for Acting Secretary Pat Shanahan, whom we learned yesterday will soon be leaving the Department of Defense. The Acting Secretary has served in a crucial post during challenging times and difficult circumst… Continue Reading
06.18.19
The United States Needs to Remain Engaged, Prepared, and Powerful
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the upcoming Senate debate on the National Defense Authorization Act: "All these events I've discussed, from Iran's misbehavior to China's aggressiveness, underscore one thing very clearly: The United States needs to remain engaged, prepared, and powerful. We need to leave zero doubt among our friends and allies, our most violent foes, and everybody in between: Wh… Continue Reading
06.13.19
McConnell: Efforts to Block Arms Sales to Our Partners in Middle East are Misguided
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding an effort in the Senate to block arms sales to Bahrain and Qatar: "Later today, the Senate will vote on two resolutions that would undermine U.S. influence and credibility in the Middle East and ultimately make the region a more dangerous place. Some of our colleagues seek to block arms sales to two of the United States' closest partners in the region: Bahrain and… Continue Reading
06.05.19
Senate Continues to Clear Backlog of Nominees Left By Democrats’ Obstruction
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the need to confirm more of the president's well-qualified nominees: "Yesterday, the Senate voted to confirm Andrew Saul of New York to serve as Commissioner of Social Security and voted to advance several more highly-qualified nominees. Today, we'll vote to confirm three other executive-branch nominees to important posts at the Departments of State and Interior a… Continue Reading
05.24.19
Leader McConnell Meets with Secretary of Defense Nominee Patrick Shanahan
LOUISVILLE, KY - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement after yesterday's meeting with the president's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan: "I met with Acting Secretary of Defense Shanahan on Thursday to discuss ongoing military operations, efforts to rebuild our military readiness and modernize our forces, as well as major security threats to our national interests. I look forward to supporting his nomination." Background: The Senat… Continue Reading
05.23.19
McConnell: America Must Give Iran No Reason to Misjudge Our Resolve
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the growing threat of Iranian aggression: "Monday, of course, is Memorial Day. Americans will take time out of our ordinary routines and busy lives to remember the men and women who have paid the ultimate price for the security of our nation and the liberty we cherish. We mourn every young American whose sacrifice has furthered the cause of our founding ideals. And we … Continue Reading
04.03.19
NATO has Shaped World History for the Better
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's remarks at this morning's joint session of Congress: "First, I want to take a moment to thank NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg or his remarks at this morning's joint session of Congress. I am proud the Secretary General could be here with us in Washington as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization celebrates its 70th anni… Continue Reading
03.13.19
McConnell: Yemen Resolution Will Not Increase Our Diplomatic Leverage
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Yemen resolution introduced by Senators Sanders, Lee and Murphy: "The Senate will soon vote on a resolution under the War Powers Act. I strongly oppose this unnecessary and counterproductive resolution and I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing it. From the outset, let me say this: I believe it is right for Senators to have grave concerns over some aspects of … Continue Reading
03.06.19
House Should Support Israel, Pass the Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding pending House action on the Senate-passed, Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act: "I want to discuss something that will be happening on the floor of the House of Representatives, perhaps as soon as today. Remarkably, for the second time in just the last three weeks, Speaker Pelosi apparently feels compelled to have her members vote on a resolution th… Continue Reading
02.28.19
McConnell Statement on President’s Summit in Vietnam
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding President Trump's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Vietnam: "I'd like to begin with a few words on President Trump's Hanoi summit with North Korea. The president should be commended for his personal commitment to persuading Kim Jong Un to pursue a different path. By January 2017, it was clear the prior administration's so-called policy of 'strategic patie… Continue Reading
02.05.19
McConnell: The State of Our Union is Strong and Growing Stronger
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding this week's legislative agenda and President Trump's State of the Union address tonight: "Yesterday the Senate took another step toward delivering an important package of legislation. We passed my amendment to the Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act and voted to advance the bill, both by wide bipartisan margins. S.1 represents the broad consensus of… Continue Reading
02.04.19
Senate Continues Work on Foreign Policy Legislation, Natural Resources Bill Up Next
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act, the Natural Resources Management Act and America's thriving economy: "For the past week now, the Senate's been considering a package of legislation to strengthen our nation's diplomatic presence in the Middle East. The Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act would renew our commitment to Israe… Continue Reading
01.31.19
Senate Democrats Continue Foreign Policy Debate Obstruction
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act that he introduced with Senators Rubio, Risch and Gardner, and obstruction from Senate Democrats: "Earlier this week, Senate Democrats stopped filibustering the important legislation before us. They finally joined Republicans and voted to advance these measures to renew our commitment to Israel, deepen our coop… Continue Reading
