Press Releases
Currently showing results related to National Security
McConnell Welcomes Finland into NATO
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today regarding Finland's accession into NATO: "The Republic of Finland's accession into NATO is outstanding news that further strengthens what is already the most successful alliance in the history of the human race. I am happy to welcome Finland to this trans-Atlantic Alliance and I congratulate the Finnish people, President Niinistö, and NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg on this histo… Continue Reading
02.24.23
McConnell on One-Year Anniversary of Ukraine Escalation
HELSINKI, FINLAND - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today regarding the one-year anniversary of Russia's escalation in Ukraine: "The innocent people of Ukraine have suffered devastating violence and destruction at the hands of Vladimir Putin and his war machine for years. The bloody full-scale escalation that he began one year ago with zero justification is just the latest chapter. The brave and free men and women of Ukraine and their elected … Continue Reading
02.16.23
ICYMI: McConnell on America’s Newsroom
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) joined Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino this morning on Fox News' 'America's Newsroom'. See below for highlights or click here for the full interview. On the Flying Object Takedowns: "It is perplexing. We've been in these briefings, as you suggest, but they [the Biden Administration] don't seem to know anything. So, we're anxious to hear what analysis, if any, they've been able to achieve on the Chinese balloon, and to just get… Continue Reading
02.07.23
ICYMI: McConnell on The Guy Benson Show and The Story
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) joined Guy Benson on Fox News Radio's 'The Guy Benson Show' and Martha MacCallum on Fox News' 'The Story' this afternoon. See below for highlights or click here and here for the full interviews. On the State of the Union: "I think a good way to start is to talk about what the President's job is tonight. I just looked at a poll today, you may well have referred to it, that said only 13% of Americans thought the state of the… Continue Reading
05.14.22
Leader McConnell and Senators Collins, Cornyn, and Barrasso Meet President Zelenskyy in Kyiv
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement: "Senators Collins, Cornyn, and Barrasso and I just left Ukraine. It was an honor to meet with President Zelenskyy and his senior advisors and to stand in solidarity with the heroic people of Ukraine. "It was inspiring to visit the historic capital of a beautiful country that has been forced to fight for its own survival. We saw firsthand the courage, unity, and resolve of the Ukrainian people. The Ukrainians… Continue Reading
04.09.21
McConnell, Inhofe, Rubio, Graham, and Shelby Statement on Biden’s Disappointing Defense Budget
'Talk is cheap, but defending our country is not. We can't afford to fail in our constitutional responsibility to provide for the common defense.' WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL), Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) issue… Continue Reading
01.07.21
McConnell Statement on United States Capitol Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today regarding yesterday's events at the United States Capitol: "I salute and applaud those front-line U.S. Capitol Police officers who stood bravely in harm's way during yesterday's failed insurrection. We are praying today for those who sustained injuries, some serious, in the line of duty. Congress is also deeply grateful to the local officers from D.C., Virginia, and Maryland, the federal l… Continue Reading
08.18.20
McConnell on Intelligence Committee’s Investigation: Our Adversaries Want to Undermine Our System of Government
LOUISVILLE, KY - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today regarding the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election: "Today, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released the fifth and final chapter of its major investigation into Russian interference in our 2016 election. "For three years, our colleagues on the Committee have conducted this crucial work in the serious, thorough, a… Continue Reading
08.07.20
McConnell Welcomes Evanina’s Efforts to Combat Foreign Interference in U.S. Politics
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today regarding the statement from William Evanina, Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center: "I appreciate Director Evanina informing Americans about foreign powers' efforts to divide us and interfere in our politics. "This Administration's efforts to combat foreign influence and political interference represent a vast improvement over 2016. The Intelligence Community … Continue Reading
10.27.19
McConnell Applauds President Trump’s Announcement on the Death of al-Baghdadi
LOUISVILLE, KY. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement following the announcement of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's death: "I applaud President Trump's announcement that U.S. special forces have eliminated ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The world's most wanted man has been brought to justice. The world is a safer place today. "This victory for the U.S. and our many counterterrorism partners is a significant step for the campaign against ISIS, for the fut… Continue Reading
10.07.19
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
