Remarks
The Terror Attack in Istanbul
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey: "Yesterday, our NATO ally Turkey suffered a devastating terror attack at Istanbul's main airport that quickly brought to mind ISIL's attack in Brussels earlier this year. "We do not yet know if this attack was launched by ISIL or the PKK, but we do know that our intelligence community will do all it can to help the Turks combat ter… Continue Reading
06.28.16
Senate Democrats Block Support for Veterans, Anti-Zika Efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding Senate Democrats voting to block important bipartisan funding measures to address Zika and support veterans: "Here's where we are, we have a public health crisis descending on our country. We've been talking about this for three months. The Administration, the CDC-all involved said we need to get this Zika funding bill done before the 4th of July. "This conference repor… Continue Reading
06.28.16
Senate Must Pass Critical Veterans Funding, Anti-Zika Efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the need to advance important bipartisan funding measures to address Zika and support veterans: "We've all heard Democrats warn that we, quote, '…cannot delay any longer' on Zika control funding. We've heard them warn that, quote, '[E]very day we wait…is increasing the risk that we will have problems with Zika.' We've even heard them warn that, and I quot… Continue Reading
06.27.16
Senate Democrats Should Not Block Critical Veterans Funding, Anti-Zika Efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the need to advance important bipartisan funding measures to address Zika and support veterans: "Combatting the spread of the Zika virus should be a priority for both parties. We worked hard to forge a compromise solution that made $1.1 billion available to fight this virus. That compromise plan already passed the Senate with the unanimous support o… Continue Reading
06.23.16
McConnell Encourages Senate Democrats to Support Critical Veterans Funding, Anti-Zika Efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the need to advance important bipartisan funding measures to address Zika and support veterans: "Combatting the spread of the Zika virus has been a priority for both parties. So Republicans and Democrats deliberated and forged a compromise in committee. Senators debated that $1.1 billion compromise on the floor and voted to pass it. Every single Democrat voted for it. … Continue Reading
06.22.16
A Serious Moment That Calls For Serious Solutions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the need for the President to lay out a credible plan to defeat ISIL: "We learned yesterday that our allies in Jordan were victims of a terrorist attack. The vehicle-borne IED killed Jordanian soldiers and police officers, and although ISIL has not taken credit for the attack, the tactics used certainly resemble those frequently employed by ISIL. Last week, a terrorist t… Continue Reading
06.21.16
Senators in Both Parties Should Work to Fight ISIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the need for the President to lay out a credible plan to defeat ISIL: "Yesterday the Justice Department released a transcript of the Orlando terrorist's 9/11 call, in which he claimed responsibility for the attack and declared his loyalty to ISIL. 'What's your name?' the operator asked. 'My name,' he said, 'is I pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi of the Islamic… Continue Reading
06.20.16
America Needs ‘Serious Solutions’ From the President to Defeat ISIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today prior to votes regarding Republican-led efforts to fight terrorism: "The terrorist attack that claimed 49 innocent victims in Orlando left families broken and our country shaken. It was a deliberately targeted attack inspired by the hateful ideology of ISIL, and it tragically reminded us of the continuing threat of ISIL-directed and inspired attacks here in our country. "We kn… Continue Reading
06.16.16
Preventing ISIL-Inspired Attacks Requires Defeating ISIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the need for the President to lay out a credible plan to defeat ISIL. The following are Senator McConnell's remarks as prepared for delivery: "Over the past few months, terrorists inspired or directed by ISIL have committed mass murder in Brussels, in California, and in France. When ISIL issued a call for lone wolf attacks against the West during Ramadan, its followers heard t… Continue Reading
06.15.16
Republican-Led Senate Continues Working on Bipartisan Efforts to Fight Terrorism
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the need for the President to lay out a credible plan to defeat ISIL: "Seven months ago, ISIL terrorists massacred 130 victims across the city of Paris. Six months ago, ISIL supporters murdered more than a dozen victims at a holiday party in San Bernardino. Three months ago, ISIL bombings killed and maimed indiscriminately in the heart of Europe. And then, last month,… Continue Reading
06.15.16
Congress Working to Get Opioid Legislation to the President’s Desk Soon
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA): "Both the Senate and the House took decisive action to combat the heroin and prescription opioid epidemic that's devastated so many of our communities. "We're now working to take the next important step forward. "The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act we passed would expand education and preventio… Continue Reading
06.14.16
McConnell: ‘We Need to Defeat, Not Contain, ISIL’
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today urging passage of the National Defense Authorization Act and the need to defeat ISIL: "The terrorist attack in Orlando continues to horrify our country. The FBI and our intelligence community will determine whether that terrorist was in direct contact with ISIL or inspired by ISIL. "Either way, this much we know already. ISIL is a disgusting group that crucifies children, ensl… Continue Reading
06.13.16
McConnell Honors the Life of George Voinovich
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor today honoring the life of former Ohio U.S. Senator George Voinovich: "I'd like to say a few words about a colleague we lost this weekend. George Voinovich was the oldest of six children and, until his late teens, an aspiring doctor. Then he realized he 'didn't get along' with the sciences. So he joined the Boy Scouts. He got involved in student government. And he told his frien… Continue Reading
06.13.16
McConnell on Orlando Attack: We Won’t Back Down in the Face of Terrorism
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the tragic shooting in Orlando, Florida and the need to defeat ISIL: "Above this Capitol, the American flag flies at half-staff. A symbol of national sorrow-for lives taken far too soon. A symbol of national solidarity-for families left behind, plunged into despair. "ISIL claims the terrorist who committed this horrific act is 'one of the soldiers of the caliphate.' … Continue Reading
06.10.16
McConnell Encourages Senate to Pass Critical Measure to Support Troops and National Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the National Defense Authorization Act: "In just a few minutes, the Senate will take another important step toward passing sweeping defense legislation that will support our troops and our national security. "It will help drive defense innovation and research. "It will authorize pay raises for our servicemembers and modernize retirement benefits. "It will help prep… Continue Reading
06.09.16
Passing NDAA Will Help Ensure Military Readiness and Keep Americans Safe
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the National Defense Authorization Act: "President Obama's approach to national security policy began with unworkable ideas on the campaign trail, and it's been marked by some consistent themes. "Like inflexible commitments to drawing down our conventional military posture from across the globe. Like an excessive reliance on international organizations. Like a tenden… Continue Reading
06.08.16
McConnell Welcomes Prime Minister of India to U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor today welcoming Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, for his address to a joint session of Congress: "Later today, we'll welcome the Prime Minister of India as he visits the Capitol. "Though this is Narendra Modi's fourth trip to the United States as Prime Minister, it marks the first time he will address a joint session of Congress. "It also marks the fifth time an Ind… Continue Reading
06.08.16
NDAA Will Help Keep Americans Safe, Prepare Country for Challenges
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the National Defense Authorization Act: "There are an array of threats facing our country. And, as the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee recently observed, '[i]nstead of one great power rival, the United States now faces a series of trans-regional, cross-functional, multi-domain, and long-term strategic competitions.' "There are the conventional military chall… Continue Reading
06.08.16
Republican-Led Senate Passes Bipartisan Bill to Support Economic Opportunity
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the Toxic Substances Control Act, the first major environmental reform in two decades: "After months of hard work and collaboration between both chambers, last night we were able to pass the first major environmental reform bill in two decades. "I know Bonnie Lautenberg has waited for this day for a very long time. "The Lautenberg Act bears her husband's name and wi… Continue Reading
06.07.16
McConnell: ‘We Need to Ensure the American People Are Protected’
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the National Defense Authorization Act: "The National Defense Authorization Act before us is important for our troops, it's important for wounded warriors and veterans, and it's important for national security. "One way it will help keep Americans safe is by renewing clear prohibitions on President Obama's ability to move dangerous Guantanamo terrorists into the U.S… Continue Reading
