Press Releases
Currently showing results related to National Security
Senate Will Confirm Pompeo as Next Secretary of State
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following announcement Monday regarding the nomination of Mike Pompeo to serve as U.S. Secretary of State: "The Pompeo nomination has now been reported out of the Foreign Relations Committee, and there are sufficient votes in the Senate to ensure that he will be confirmed this week as our nation's next Secretary of State." The Leader's floor remarks on the Pompeo nomination today are here.… Continue Reading
04.16.18
McConnell Meets With Gina Haspel
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement following his meeting with the president's nominee for Director of the CIA, Gina Haspel: "Today I had the opportunity to meet with the president's nominee for Director of the CIA, Gina Haspel. Gina Haspel has dedicated her professional life to the national security of the United States, having joined the CIA in 1985. She has repeatedly proven to be a consummate intelligence officer and leader,… Continue Reading
03.22.18
McConnell Meets With Mike Pompeo
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement following meeting with the president's nominee for Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo: "This morning I had the opportunity to meet with CIA Director Mike Pompeo to discuss his nomination to be our nation's next Secretary of State. "His mastery of the myriad threats confronting us, and determination to meet those challenges with the strength, intellect and insight he brought to his current positi… Continue Reading
03.13.18
McConnell Statement on Mike Pompeo and Gina Haspel
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the president's intent to nominate Mike Pompeo for Secretary of State and Gina Haspel for Director of the CIA: "In selecting CIA Director Mike Pompeo as his nominee for Secretary of State, the president has called upon a brilliant, tough-minded leader to guide our diplomatic corps through challenging days ahead. I have every confidence in Mike. He has earned the trust of the ca… Continue Reading
03.13.18
McConnell Statement on Rex Tillerson
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: "Over the last year, the Trump Administration confronted myriad national security threats-the terrorist threat from ISIL and Al Qaeda, the dramatic advancement in North Korea's missile program, crafting new strategies in Afghanistan and Iraq, standing up to Russian malign behavior and confronting the ongoing civil war in Syria-each of which pr… Continue Reading
01.11.18
McConnell Statement on Critical Foreign Surveillance Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement regarding Senate consideration of the House-passed Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA): "Earlier today, the House of Representatives voted to approve a reauthorization of one of our nation's most important national security tools: Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The Senate will now consider it. Section 702 is of particular importance as it give… Continue Reading
08.21.17
McConnell Statement on President Trump’s Address to the Nation on Afghanistan
LOUISVILLE, KY. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement tonight regarding President Trump's address to the nation: "Tonight President Trump reaffirmed to the American people the painful lesson glaringly brought to our shores on September 11, 2001: the United States cannot permit terrorist organizations such as ISIL, al Qaeda or its affiliates to train, recruit and plot from ungoverned sanctuaries--whether within Afghanistan, in the tribal areas of P… Continue Reading
06.07.17
Leader McConnell Statement on Christopher Wray
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement regarding President Trump's announcement that he intends to nominate Christopher Wray as Director of the FBI: 'Christopher Wray's impressive credentials make him more than ready for the sober task of leading the FBI in fulfilling its law enforcement and national security missions, especially at a time when our country faces so many serious threats both at home and abroad. This, of course, is t… Continue Reading
04.02.17
McConnell on Fox News Sunday and NBC’s Meet the Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) appeared on Fox News Sunday and NBC's Meet the Press this morning. The following are excerpts from his interviews: Fox News Sunday McConnell on Supreme Court Nominee Judge Neil Gorsuch "I think it is noteworthy that no Supreme Court justice has ever in the history of our country been stopped by a partisan filibuster- ever. "Judge Gorsuch deserves to be confirmed. [He is] unanimously well-qualified [as described] by the Americ… Continue Reading
01.29.17
Leader McConnell on ABC’s ‘This Week’
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) appeared on ABC's 'This Week' this morning. The following are excerpts from his interview: McConnell on President Trump's Executive Order on Immigration "…to the extent they're trying to improve the vetting process, I think that's in order. [W]e also need to remember that some of our best allies in the war against Islamic terrorism are Muslims." McConnell on President Trump's Upcoming Nomination to the Supreme Cou… Continue Reading
01.23.17
Majority Leader McConnell’s Statement on Senator Dan Coats
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement after meeting with President Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence and former colleague, Senator Dan Coats (R-IN): "Dan will do an outstanding job as Director of National Intelligence in President Trump's administration. Dan's service in the Senate included years on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Armed Services Committee. He is well versed in our foreign policy … Continue Reading
01.08.17
McConnell on CBS’ ‘Face the Nation’
WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared on CBS' 'Face the Nation this morning. The following are excerpts from his interview and the full interview can be viewed here: On Repealing and Replacing Obamacare "You have to both repeal and replace, and I think there ought not to be a great gap between the first step and the second. Bill Clinton said 'it is the craziest thing he has ever seen' - this is Bill Clinton, on Obamacare last year. Eight out of ten Americans ei… Continue Reading
12.13.16
Majority Leader McConnell’s Statement on Rex Tillerson
LOUISVILLE, KY - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement regarding President-elect Trump's intention to nominate Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State: "Rex Tillerson's decades of experience have been widely recognized for forward-looking strategic planning, managing international partnerships and risk, and focused leadership around the world. "As president-elect Trump's choice for nomination as Secretary of State, he will bring these critical skills, knowle… Continue Reading
12.07.16
Majority Leader McConnell’s Statement on General James Mattis
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement after meeting with President-elect Trump's intended nominee for Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis: "The next Commander in Chief will assume office at a time when significant threats to our national security are evident: the efforts and intentions of dissatisfied nations to expand respective regional spheres of influence, such as China, Russia and Iran, and North Korea's willful efforts to p… Continue Reading
12.06.16
21st Century Cures to Bolster Medical Innovation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the Senate's upcoming final vote of the 21st Century Cures bill: "Yesterday, the Senate voted overwhelmingly to take the next step to pass the 21st Century Cures bill, bipartisan legislation to bolster medical innovation. "This legislation promotes critical investments in research and treatment development. "It helps cut through unnecessary regulations that could hind… Continue Reading
07.08.16
Leader McConnell Statement on Democrat Filibuster of Department of Defense Funding Bill
"It is inexcusable to see Senate Democrats filibustering the defense appropriations bill, jeopardizing both our combat readiness and our national security. "This defense appropriations measure, like every other Fiscal Year 2017 funding bill, respects the budget caps in place and was reported out of committee at the earliest point in more than a decade - despite all of Democrats efforts to dismantle the appropriations process. It also earned the support of every single Democrat in committee. As … Continue Reading
12.06.15
McConnell Previews President’s Speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement in advance of the President's speech to the nation: "As we approach the last year of President Obama's term, Americans understand that the terrorist threat has evolved but not vanished-and it has certainly not been 'contained.' Whether ISIL terrorists are training in camps in Syria or using online magazines to instruct and inspire lone wolves, they represent a serious threat to this country and now is th… Continue Reading
12.02.15
In the First Week as Senate Majority Leader, McConnell Works to Pass Legislation that Benefits Kentucky
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell helped secure passage of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Authorization Act (TRIA), which includes a number of provisions important to Kentucky. The bill, which now goes to the President for his signature, is the first piece of legislation approved in the 114th Congress by the United States Senate, now led by Senator McConnell. The passage of TRIA will extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, which provides a federal reinsurance backsto… Continue Reading
11.04.15
Following Agreement on Budget Numbers, Senate to Consider Bipartisan Troop Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding defense appropriations: "We live in a time of diverse and challenging global threats. "It's a time when we see ISIL consolidating its gains in Iraq and Syria. "It's a time when we see the forces of Assad marching alongside Iranian soldiers and Hezbollah militias. "It's a time when we see Russian aircraft flying above them in support. "And it's a time when commanders tell u… Continue Reading
01.15.15
Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa to Deliver Republican Address to the Nation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) today announced that U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) will deliver the Republican Address to the Nation following the State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 20, 2015. "Sen. Ernst brings a unique perspective to the Senate. She is a mother, a soldier, and an independent leader who serves in Washington because Americans voted for change in the last election, and Joni understands that middle-cl… Continue Reading
