Remarks
Currently showing results related to National Security
McConnell: Repealing 2002 AUMF Won’t Solve Terrorist Threat
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding national security: "The House of Representatives will vote today on a bill from Representative Barbara Lee to repeal one of the key authorities behind nearly two decades of U.S. efforts to fight terrorism: the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force. "House Democrats claim this vote is an urgent act of Congressional oversight, and the Democratic L… Continue Reading
06.14.21
McConnell on Department of Justice IG Investigation: “There is No Need for a Partisan Circus Here in Congress”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the Department of Justice: "Late last week, the Democratic Leader and the Democratic Whip gave in to the urge to pick at the scab of politically-motivated investigations that had become their party's favorite weapon against the previous administration. "They indicated that they were prepared to compel two former Attorneys General to testify before the Judi… Continue Reading
05.20.21
“Competing with China” Requires Adequately Funding our National Defense
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding defense spending: "We know that competition with China will shape America's security and prosperity for decades to come. That's a fact. "The legislation on the floor purports to deal with this issue. It covers a huge range of topics from economics to education to foreign and defense policy. "Earlier this week, I voted with the majority of Senators to proc… Continue Reading
04.12.21
Election Law and Infrastructure Deserve Bipartisanship, Not Democrats’ 'Trojan Horse Tactics'
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding upcoming legislative priorities: "The Senate returns today from a state work period. We got to meet with constituents in our home states and hear firsthand about their most pressing concerns. "Unfortunately, back here in Washington, Democrats continued to roll out new reasons for the American people to worry. "The week before last, the Biden Administratio… Continue Reading
01.27.21
McConnell: Nation Deserves Strong, Bipartisan Foreign Policy to Counter Serious Threats
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding nominations and foreign policy: "Yesterday, we confirmed Antony Blinken, our new Secretary of State. Like the Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of the Treasury, it was another big, bipartisan vote here in the Senate. "Four years ago, Senate Democrats subjected mainstream nominees to lead State and Treasury to a … Continue Reading
01.22.21
McConnell on Ret. Gen. Austin’s Nomination and Civil-Military Relations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding nominations: "We're continuing to consider President Biden's nominees to key cabinet posts. "On Wednesday, Avril Haines was confirmed as Director of National Intelligence on a big, bipartisan vote, including my own. "We hope to be able to consider Antony Blinken to be Secretary of State early next week. "Today, we're considering Retired General Lloyd Aus… Continue Reading
11.16.20
Premature Afghanistan Exit Would Jeopardize Trump Administration’s Record of Success
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the ongoing presence of U.S. forces in the Middle East to combat terrorism: "The last several days have brought renewed speculation about the prospect of rapidly withdrawing all U.S. military forces from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. "Here in Congress, a small minority in both parties seem to think it is in America's power to unilaterally resolve conflicts b… Continue Reading
11.10.20
McConnell on Sec. Mark Esper and World Affairs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Secretary Mark Esper and world affairs: "Yesterday, the President informed us that Secretary Mark Esper's tenure leading the Department of Defense has concluded. "When the Senate considered Secretary Esper's nomination, I said you could hardly invent better qualifications to run the Pentagon than his resume. From West Point and the 101st Airborne to his time… Continue Reading
11.09.20
McConnell on Elections: “We Respect the Rule of Law and Trust Our Institutions”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the 2020 election: "Last week, record numbers of Americans exercised the right which generations risked everything to hand on to us. "I want to spend a few minutes this morning talking about what we saw last week, where we are now, and where our great country will go from here. "There is one aspect of last week that has gotten lost that I want to single ou… Continue Reading
10.22.20
McConnell on Election Security: “We Have Spent the Last Four Years Gearing Up For This”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding election security: "Yesterday evening, the Directors of National Intelligence and the FBI updated the public on foreign efforts to influence our election and our government's work to prevent them. They announced that Iran and Russia exploited voter information to send misleading e-mails. "This is just another reminder that multiple different adversaries with… Continue Reading
09.23.20
Schumer “Temper Tantrum” Halted Bipartisan Work on National Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Minority Leader Schumer: "Two days ago, the Democratic Leader threatened that if the Senate majority dares to play by the rules and behave like a Senate majority, it would mean 'the end of this supposedly great deliberative body.' "Yesterday, we learned what he meant. We saw important Senate business hurt by what amounted to a temper tantrum. "For some reas… Continue Reading
09.17.20
McConnell on Election Security: Real Threats Persist, But We Aren’t ‘Flat-Footed’ Any Longer
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding election security: "Our Democratic colleagues have sought to spend this week discussing election security. "Well, really, they have sought to discuss anything besides pandemic relief, since their leaders are still blocking bipartisan negotiations that could get a result. So our friends across the aisle have tried to change the subject to election security, o… Continue Reading
08.03.20
McConnell Urges Seriousness and Unity on Election Security, Not Partisan Cherry-Picking
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding election security: "This week, officials from the Intelligence Community, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security will brief us on foreign efforts to influence our politics and elections, and how the Administration is defending us. "Every one of our colleagues should attend one of these sessions. "Sharing sensitive threat information with Congress … Continue Reading
07.01.20
McConnell: “The Rule of Law Cannot Fade In and Out With the Fashions of the Radical Left”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding civil unrest: "I'd planned to speak first today about the NDAA. I'd planned to discuss our work to ensure American servicemembers can protect our nation and secure peace for the United States. "But unfortunately, the inexplicable passivity and weakness of local leaders in our own country has denied some citizens peace and security right here at home. "Here … Continue Reading
06.04.20
McConnell Delivers Address on China to Mark Tiananmen Square Anniversary
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing: "Today marks the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing. "Because of China's censorship and disinformation, we still do not know how many brave Chinese people were killed by their own government on June 4th, 1989. Conservative estimates say hundreds. Others say thousands.… Continue Reading
06.03.20
“The Foreign Actors Who Seek to Harm the United States Have Not Let Up While We Attend to Other Problems”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Afghanistan: "Make no mistake: The foreign actors who seek to harm the United States have not let up while we attend to other problems. "For example, in Afghanistan, despite agreeing just months ago to engage in further peace negotiations with the Afghan government and sever its ties with al-Qaeda, the Taliban has instead continued its violent campaign again… Continue Reading
05.21.20
McConnell on Successful Slowing of COVID-19: The American People Have Won “An Important Battle”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding COVID-19: "All month, the Senate has been on the job, attending to the needs of our nation. "We have legislated. We've confirmed nominees. We've held major hearings and conducted oversight on the historic response to COVID-19. "Now, yesterday, we learned that our Senate action will continue to contrast with our absentee neighbors across the rotunda. "While… Continue Reading
05.20.20
McConnell: House Democrats Playing With “Perpetual Impeachment” While the Senate Fights the Pandemic
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding House Democrats' perpetual impeachment and the CARES Act: "Week after week, this Capitol has been a study in contrasts. Call it a tale of two chambers. "Over here in the United States Senate, the lights are on, the doors are open, and we are working for the American people. "All month, we've been in session - passing national-security legislation, confirmin… Continue Reading
05.19.20
McConnell on Continued Action on Improper Investigations: The American People Deserve Answers and We Intend to Get Them
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding government accountability: "The coronavirus pandemic continues to challenge our nation, and the Senate is here working for the American people. "Our committees have called in experts like Dr. Fauci and leaders like Chairman Powell to discuss the CARES Act and the path toward re-opening. We are tracking the effects of the largest rescue package ever and we a… Continue Reading
05.18.20
McConnell: Essential Workers Are Showing Up for Our Country And The Senate Is Showing Up for Them
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the week's business: "The COVID-19 pandemic continues to hold our nation on high alert. "More than 1.4 million Americans have been infected. More than 80,000 lives have been tragically lost. And the livelihoods of tens of millions of working families have been turned upside down in what seems like the blink of an eye. "Our nation's healthcare system has not… Continue Reading
