September 12, 2023 – Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell: Democrats’ War On American Energy Hurts Working Families
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding energy production:
“Across the country, the end of summer gave working families gas prices near all-time highs – beyond just a seasonal swing.
“Last week, Washington Democrats opened a new front in their war on affordable and abundant American energy. The Biden Administration announced the withdrawal of more than 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve from oil and gas leasing and cancelled seven oil and gas leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
“The President calls this move a necessary step to ‘meet the urgency of the climate crisis.’ But any serious observer would call it bad news for families trying to make ends meet.
“Last fiscal year, under President Biden’s stranglehold, the number of new federal acres leased plummeted. Comparing the first 30 months of each Administration, onshore leasing is down from 67 sales under the previous Administration to a mere 9 sales under President Biden.
“Meanwhile, the Biden Administration has let a five-year plan for offshore energy production – required by law – to expire over a year ago with no new plan in sight. In other words, there are no new offshore energy leases in the hopper.
“Now, Congress has exercised its authority and forced the President to re-instate an offshore lease it had already cancelled. But in response, his Administration put 6 million acres of the sale off limits to oil and gas exploration.
“And Senate Democrats have been more than willing to toe the party line. Last year, every single one of our Democratic colleagues voted against Senator Barrasso’s effort to require dependable onshore leasing. And every single one voted against Senator Kennedy’s measure to restore certainty to offshore leasing.
“So freezing the development of clean and reliable energy here at home does nothing more than kick production of more expensive and less reliable fuels into overdrive overseas. You can guarantee fuels won’t be climate conscious or environmentally sound when they come from hostile regimes overseas.
“The cost of Washington Democrats’ shortsighted obsession is measured in higher costs at the pump, higher home heating and cooling bills, and greater reliance on foreign energy.
“By outsourcing our energy policy to the radical environmentalists, the Biden administration is outsourcing America’s energy security. Our nation deserves better.”
September 12, 2023 – Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell: Ukraine Aid Subject To “Unprecedented” Oversight
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding aid to Ukraine:
“I’ve spoken in recent days about the most common arguments deployed against U.S. assistance to the fight against Putin in Ukraine. And how they fall short. Today, I’d like to address the misconception that America’s lethal aid lacks necessary accountability and protections against misuse.
“The United States probably has a deeper understanding of how Ukraine is using weapons provided by the United States and our allies than we have had with any other partner nation. Period.
“There are many reasons for this. First, Ukraine is not Iraq or Afghanistan. It is a modern democracy, firmly committed to integration with the West.
“Second, Russia’s escalation last year led to a political sea change in how Ukraine treats corruption. Today, corruption and misuse of funds or weapons can mean the death of loved ones or imperil critical Western support.
“I’m not say that corruption has not vanished. Even in the worst conflicts or most advanced democracies, human nature remains. But the cost calculus has changed. And robust, independent anti-corruption bodies are making a difference.
“Third, American diplomats, military officers, and USAID employees have finally returned to Kyiv. Their presence allows for more oversight and accountability of our assistance.
“Senators who have visited the American-led headquarters in Germany and seen the professional multinational effort supporting Ukraine, firsthand, have come away impressed. They’ve also been impressed by Lieutenant General Tony Aguto, the senior American officer who runs this effort and was confirmed by the Senate last year by voice vote.
“Through these coalition efforts, we have unprecedented insight into how nearly 30 types of Western weapons systems and vehicles are being used by Ukraine, often down to the serial number.
“Take for example an American-led effort in Poland that remotely assists Ukrainian units on the front lines to maintain and repair various weapons and vehicles. When troubles arise, Ukrainian units have every incentive to share data, photos, and video in real-time about the status of their weapons and benefit from engineering solutions we provide to help maintain and repair these weapons in the field.
“This is a win-win. The United States gets unprecedented insight into how our weapons are being used – often over used – in combat which helps us improve and maintain America’s own arsenal. U.S. forces also get a unique view into the situation on the battlefield and the challenges Ukrainian forces are facing.
“Given his oversight role and regular contact with Ukrainian commanders, I’ve requested the Administration make Lieutenant General Aguto available to brief Senators on these insights.
“Finally, here in the Senate, Ranking Member Risch, Ranking Member Wicker, Vice Chairman Collins, and Vice Chairman Rubio have been conducting proactive oversight based on lessons learned from Iraq and Afghanistan.
“We have ensured that $50 million was included in previous supplementals specifically to conduct oversight of assistance to Ukraine. We have added dozens of transparency and reporting requirements so Congress has more insight than ever.
“And tomorrow, my colleagues will have an opportunity to learn even more. At my request, the inspectors general for the Pentagon, the State Department, and USAID will come to brief Republican Senators on the state of their own independent oversight of these assistance efforts. Already, as the State Department’s IG put it, quote: ‘Our completed work has not substantiated any allegations of diversion.’
“So it’s my hope each of our colleagues will take this opportunity to get the facts from these independent auditors.”
September 12, 2023 – Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell: Senate to Consider Three Important Appropriations Commitments
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding appropriations:
“This week, the Senate will begin consideration of the first package of full-year appropriations for the coming fiscal year. This is an important milestone, and a down payment on our goal of funding the federal government through regular order.
“Our progress on this front has been due in large part to the leadership of Senator Collins and Senator Murray on the Appropriations Committee. For months, our colleagues have worked diligently to build consensus and process as many bills as possible with deadlines looming large.
“The legislation before us this week is designed to address a trio of important commitments – to America’s farmers, to our veterans, and to investing in transportation infrastructure.
“So Mr. President, seven percent of American adults are veterans of the Armed Forces. Ten percent of American jobs are supported by agriculture. And our entire economy hinges on safe and efficient airports, roads, bridges, and ports.
“So it’s difficult to overstate the importance of this legislation. But it’s especially important that we get it right. To that end, I hope and expect that all Senators will receive ample opportunity to offer amendments for consideration.
“Ultimately, our work will need to earn the support of a divided Congress and earn the President’s signature. So I’m grateful to our colleagues’ commitment to regular order appropriations, and I look forward to supporting a sensible step forward in the coming days.”
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