Press Releases
Currently showing results related to National Security
McConnell Statement on Turkey and U.S. Partners in Syria
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding Turkey and U.S. partners in Syria: "In January, a supermajority of the U.S. Senate voted for an amendment that expressed bipartisan concern about the continuing threat posed by ISIS and Al Qaeda in Syria, appreciation of the long-term American security interests in Syria and the region, and support for a continued military presence in northeastern Syria. "The conditions that … Continue Reading
07.28.19
McConnell Statement on Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats
LOUSVILLE, KY - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement regarding Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats: "I was very sorry to learn today that Director Coats will depart his position as Director of National Intelligence later this month. My friend and former colleague has devoted decades of his life in service to our country. I was reassured knowing that a man who took such a deliberate, thoughtful, and unbiased approach was at the helm of our in… Continue Reading
07.24.19
McConnell on ‘Fox News at Night’ with Shannon Bream
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) joined Fox News Channel's "Fox News at Night" with Shannon Bream to discuss the budget deal reached between the Trump Administration and Speaker Pelosi, former Special Counsel Mueller's testimony today, the Democrats' socialist agenda, and reshaping the federal judiciary. See below for highlights or click here to watch. On the Trump Administration-Pelosi budget deal: "We got the number we wanted on defense. There will be no … Continue Reading
07.09.19
Leader McConnell Meets with Secretary of Defense Nominee Mark Esper
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement after today's meeting with the president's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper: "Today I met with Acting Secretary Esper to discuss the critical challenges facing America's armed forces, Kentucky's contributions to our national defense, and his nomination to become the next Senate-confirmed Secretary of Defense. "Acting Secretary Esper is an impressive leader with a distinguished reco… Continue Reading
06.21.19
Leader McConnell Statement on Mark Esper
LOUISVILLE, KY - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement regarding the president's intent to nominate Mark Esper for Secretary of the Department of Defense: "I am pleased that President Trump has announced his intent to nominate Secretary of the Army Mark Esper to serve as Secretary of Defense. Mr. Esper's distinguished military service and record of leadership at the Pentagon make him an outstanding choice. "From managing competition with great-powe… Continue Reading
05.09.19
McConnell Statement on Secretary of Defense Nominee Patrick Shanahan
LOUISVILLE, KY - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement regarding the president's intent to nominate Patrick Shanahan for Secretary of Defense: "I am glad to learn that President Trump has made his choice for the next Secretary of Defense. Acting Secretary Patrick Shanahan is a well-regarded leader and the duties of the Secretary are too important for this position to remain unfilled. I look forward to meeting with Acting Secretary Shanahan soon and… Continue Reading
12.20.18
McConnell Statement on Secretary Mattis
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement regarding Secretary of Defense James Mattis: "I believe it's essential that the United States maintain and strengthen the post-World War II alliances that have been carefully built by leaders in both parties. We must also maintain a clear-eyed understanding of our friends and foes, and recognize that nations like Russia are among the latter. "So I was sorry to learn that Secretary Mattis, who … Continue Reading
10.24.18
Assistant Secretary of Defense Robert Karem to Serve as National Security Advisor for Leader McConnell
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that Robert Story Karem will join his Leadership office as National Security Advisor. Robert currently serves as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. From June 2017 to November 2017, Karem served as acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Karem will advise Leader McConnell directly on matters of national security, foreign policy, defense, the intelligence community, and con… Continue Reading
05.08.18
McConnell Statement on Iran Deal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement regarding President Trump's announcement on the Iran Deal: "The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action represented a deeply flawed agreement which President Trump has determined is not in the national security interests of the United States. Iran's malign behavior across the broader Middle East-support to proxies such as Shia militias within Iraq, Hezbollah, the Houthis in Yemen, and militias insid… Continue Reading
04.23.18
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
