Mitch McConnell

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the passing of John Kalmey of Shelby County, Kentucky: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend, John Kalmey. John was someone who lived his life with a genuine love for his family, his farm, and his community. He believed in working hard, serving others, and always doing what was right. I feel incredibly fortunate to have known John and to have called him a friend. His kindness, integrity, and willingness to help others made a difference in so many lives, and his legacy will continue to be felt throughout Shelby County. I’m thinking of his family and all of us who were blessed to know John and call him a friend.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the passing of Senator Jon Kyl: “I was so sorry to learn of the passing of my good friend and former colleague, Jon Kyl. “It is not often that the Senate is blessed by the talents of such a devoted and capable public servant twice over. Jon lent a capacious mind and bottomless energy to efforts as diverse as missile defense and western water rights. His well-deserved reputation for straight shooting made him a highly effective vote counter as Republican Whip. And his humble work ethic made everyone around him look better. “So, grateful for his friendship and service, Elaine and I join Jon’s beloved Caryll, their children, Kristine and John, and the entire Kyl family in their grief. Arizona and our nation have lost a giant.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement: “Today, I’ll cast my first Senate vote since I took a bad fall back in June. I’m really looking forward to being back on the Senate floor and seeing my colleagues. “My recovery has been a long and often frustrating process, and the lingering effects of childhood polio haven’t made it any easier. I’m still not quite back to 100%, but I’ve assured Leader Thune that, as I continue with physical therapy on the advice of my doctors, I will do my best to be present for tough votes when our Conference needs me.

.@SenMcConnell on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks: https://t.co/uaduc0VGwi https://t.co/fpkUHblcmt

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States: “Today, I remember the clouds of dust that filled clear blue skies twenty-five years ago, stealing away fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, friends and colleagues. And I remember the faraway battlefields that claimed thousands more in the years that followed. “My deepest sympathies today are with those Americans for whom the grief of September 11th is not abstract but personal and unrelenting. Time will continue to ease our nation’s shared pain, but it will never fill empty seats at family tables. And so those who continue to carry the heaviest burdens of that day and its aftermath must remain in our prayers. “But on top of remembrance and sympathy rests another national responsibility every bit as important: to give weight to the words Never Again. From the smoke and rubble of 9/11 came lessons about the fragility of our nation’s security and what it takes to preserve it. We paid for these lessons with thousands of precious American lives. If we are still resolved never again to pay such a price, we must look with clear eyes at a dangerous world and redouble our efforts to outcompete those who would do us harm.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today applauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to provide the additional $26.7 million in federal funding for the construction of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Forage-Animal Production Unit at the University of Kentucky: “I’m honored to have helped secure funding for the establishment and construction of this project over the years, and it’s great to see this final piece go into place for Kentucky’s leading agricultural research lab,” said Senator McConnell. “There is no doubt this funding will help the University of Kentucky continue to solidify itself as the center for agricultural research in the Commonwealth, and I’m grateful for its work in this field. Our shared belief in improving the lives of Kentucky farmers and enhancing our agriculture industry through research has made for a productive working relationship that has delivered results for Kentuckians.” “The University of Kentucky is deeply grateful to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for this significant investment in agricultural research and to Senator Mitch McConnell for his steadfast leadership in helping make this project a reality. This funding represents a transformative step forward for the Agricultural Research Service Forage-Animal Production Unit and reinforces Kentucky’s position as a national leader in agricultural innovation,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. "The collaboration among USDA, the Agricultural Research Service and the University of Kentucky will expand our ability to conduct groundbreaking research that supports farmers and strengthens rural communities, advancing the future of agriculture. We are proud to continue this partnership in service to the Commonwealth.”

.@SenMcConnell issued the following statement today: https://t.co/BQzBQuI6ow

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today: “Earlier today, I was discharged from the rehabilitation center to continue my recovery at home. Elaine and I are grateful for the many well wishes and support from friends, colleagues, and Kentuckians, and for the attentive care I’ve received from excellent doctors, nurses, therapists, and hospital staff. “On the advice of my doctors, I’ll maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period, and I’ll continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business.”

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY-06) led the Kentucky Congressional Delegation in urging President Donald J. Trump to swiftly approve the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration following the devastating storms, flooding, tornadoes, and severe weather that struck communities across the Commonwealth between June 17 and June 30. The delegation’s letter expresses strong support for the Commonwealth’s request and asks for immediate federal assistance to help Kentucky families and communities recover. The prolonged weather event caused widespread damage across Kentucky, claiming the lives of six Kentuckians, including three residents of Madison County, while destroying homes, damaging businesses, washing out roads and bridges, and leaving thousands without power. Nineteen counties and thirteen cities declared states of emergency as multiple rounds of severe weather compounded the damage over nearly two weeks. The Commonwealth formally requested a Major Disaster Declaration on July 23. “Kentucky families have endured an extraordinary stretch of severe weather, and many communities are facing a long road to recovery,” said Congressman Barr. “The damage across Central Kentucky, especially in Madison County where lives were tragically lost and neighborhoods were devastated, underscores the urgent need for federal assistance. I’m joining together with the Kentucky Congressional Delegation to urge a swift approval of Kentucky’s disaster declaration request so that our communities have the resources they need to rebuild.” The delegation wrote to the President in part, “A total of 42 homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable, and over 100 businesses have been affected. Many roads, bridges, and electric infrastructure are severely damaged, causing a considerable economic impact across the state. Volunteers along with state and local emergency response organizations have been working tirelessly to clear debris and muck out flooded homes. However, with the recent string of disasters that Kentucky has faced, many disaster response teams in the state are fatigued and overwhelmed. Given the substantial damage and the challenges faced by state and local resources, we believe Federal assistance is necessary.” The Commonwealth’s request seeks federal Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation funding for affected Kentucky communities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and the Office of the Attending Physician released the following today: “I’m still working hard to get back to my full schedule of work in the Senate and in Kentucky, keeping up with intense physical therapy per my doctors’ orders. Unfortunately, that means I won’t be able to make it to Fancy Farm, Kentucky this Saturday. “There’s no place I’d rather be on the first Saturday in August than with the good people of western Kentucky, feasting on pork and mutton. When I first attended forty-two years ago, Fancy Farm was a pretty lonely place to be a Republican. But, my, how times have changed. Today, western Kentucky is a conservative Republican sea of red. So I hate that I’ll miss the fun this year, but I’m sending my best wishes to the St. Jerome community for a successful picnic. “As always, I appreciate all of your continued well wishes, and I’m looking forward to getting back to the Senate and to Kentucky soon.” From the Office of the Attending Physician (OAP): “Senator McConnell continues his recovery from a fall at home in June. OAP physicians visit with the Senator every day, discussing all aspects of his rehabilitation care. Since his discharge from hospital care, he has maintained a strenuous course of physical therapy and rehabilitation, including multiple sessions a day designed to rebuild strength and reduce the risk of future falls. His bout with childhood polio continues to be a significant factor in his mobility. He is not yet medically cleared to leave the rehab facility and return to the office.” Senator Mitch McConnell and Secretary Elaine Chao on Sunday, July 26, 2026.

Update from @SenMcConnell and the Office of the Attending Physician: https://t.co/pSEq548qPM

Statement from @SenMcConnell: https://t.co/jXwH7wBGka

Statement from @SenMcConnell: https://t.co/uj3gmk4609

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following note to constituents regarding his hospitalization and recovery: “To my fellow Kentuckians – “When you elected me to a seventh term and made me our Commonwealth’s longest serving Senator, you did so trusting that I’d keep showing up to fight for you every day. And over the past several weeks, Elaine and I have appreciated both your well wishes and your honest questions about what was keeping me away from the Senate. “You all know how folks of my generation often hesitate to share the vulnerability that comes with growing older. Even in the public eye, I feel that same instinct – I can’t help it. “But at the same time, I’ve had more than my share of experience with physical vulnerabilities. Surviving childhood polio meant spending my entire life with mobility challenges. They haven’t exactly gotten easier to manage with age. And last month, I took a fall which landed me in the hospital. “My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion. I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages. But I was briefly unconscious and was taken to the hospital. While receiving excellent care over the past several weeks, I’ve also had to deal with a mild case of pneumonia. “I can assure you that I’ve been a good patient. At my age, I tend to do what my doctors tell me to do. I’ve submitted to every test they can think of to help figure out what caused this incident. And I’m continuing to do everything they ask to speed my recovery. In fact, with signs of continued progress, I’ve been able to move from hospital care to a rehabilitation center where I’ll keep regaining my strength. “As much as it frustrates me, this process takes time. And on the advice of my doctors, I won’t be able to return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet. But rest assured that, in the meantime, I’m not taking a break from the Senate business that matters to you. I’ve been working closely with my legislative staff on current issues, and with my Kentucky team who help me provide timely constituent services across our Commonwealth. I’ve also been keeping in touch with my Senate colleagues on the appropriations process, midterm politics, and everything in between. “You’re right to expect your representatives to work hard for you. And part of my decision to retire at the end of my term this coming January was being honest about the demands of Senate work. But I still have unfinished business to complete on your behalf, and I have every intention of finishing the job you elected me to do. “I’ll keep working hard to get back on the Senate floor as soon as possible. And I’ll keep you posted on the progress of my recovery. Until then, I’m so grateful for your prayers and well wishes.” ### From the Office of the Attending Physician: “Senator McConnell has experienced several falls throughout the year that have been attributed to his post-polio condition. He was admitted to the hospital four weeks ago after falling at home and sustaining minor injuries. “A comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team determined that he had no fractures, cardiac abnormalities, stroke, tumor, or hemorrhage. Early in his hospitalization, he developed pneumonia, which responded rapidly to antibiotic treatment. “The remainder of his hospital stay focused on physical therapy and strategies to reduce his risk of future falls. He has been medically cleared to continue fully participating in his intensive physical therapy program.” ###

.@SenMcConnell, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the @usairforce”: https://t.co/ewlrAhFfkD https://t.co/Al0RltzltE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Air Force”: Secretary Meink, General Wilsbach, General Saltzman – welcome. I need to begin by pointing out that this will be our last hearing with General Saltzman, who will be retiring later this summer. I’m pleased to hear you’ll be returning to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Salty, I want to thank you for your decades of service to our nation. I know we’ll both have more time for UK – and UofL – basketball this coming season. Gentlemen, I also need to acknowledge at the outset the devotion and sacrifice of American servicemembers. U.S. airmen have been at the absolute razor’s edge of recent operations in the Gulf, degrading Iran’s offensive capabilities, evading the enemy on the ground, bringing downed comrades home, sustaining the joint force, and, in the case of a KC-135 crew over Iraq, making the ultimate sacrifice. I know I speak for the entire subcommittee in recognizing these fallen airmen, their comrades, and their families. We’re here today to review the Administration’s FY27 budget request for the Department of the Air Force. As I’ve observed in discussions with the other services, major increases to topline defense spending represent a tremendous opportunity to improve readiness and lethality across the force, and industrial capacity across the nation. At the same time, the structure of the request for the Department of Defense would put consistent funding for key priorities at unnecessary risk. Core pieces of the President’s defense agenda, like multi-year procurement contracts for critical munitions, half of the F-35 program, Golden Dome, and drone dominance initiatives, are requested as one-off reconciliation spending, not full-year base appropriations. This is especially mystifying for multiyear procurement contracts. I mean, the need to budget for them annually is right there in the name. But it’s more than just a contradiction in terms. It’s also a recipe for major disruptions in the very possible event that party-line reconciliation fails. The Administration’s choice to structure an ambitious $1.5 trillion dollar request in this way is yet another missed opportunity to put key aspects of our common defense on a stronger and more enduring fiscal footing. Specific to the Air Force and the Space Force, a few observations: First, I’m encouraged to see the Department acknowledge the need for the E-7 wedgetail airborne battle management aircraft. This platform meets a current-day need with a current-day capability. And the Department’s alignment with this priority is a welcome investment in resiliency as we continue to build out space-based capabilities that will serve our joint force in the future. I’m also glad to see the FY27 request begin to address the issue of operational readiness rates by investing more in F-35 spares. But the Department will continue to step on its own tail if it insists in housing procurement of new airframes primarily in one-off reconciliation spending. If fielding the F-35 remains an operational necessity both for the United States and for key allies, there’s really no excuse for not placing it squarely in full-year appropriations. General Saltzman, I’m glad that this request represents a massive opportunity for Space Force procurement of key systems. But I worry whether industrial capacity will be able to meet a sudden surge in spending, pending a clearer picture of how the Department plans to sustain steadily increasing investment over the out-years. So I’ll want to hear from you on how the Space Force is thinking about longer-term scaling. Finally, at a fundamental level, I’m curious to hear from each of you about how the Department of the Air Force is applying the lessons of the modern battlefield. I’m concerned that the Pentagon as a whole is not learning quickly enough from the battlefields in Ukraine and the Gulf. And failure to learn and adapt, particularly when it comes to force protection and counter-drone technology, has real and measurable costs. Speaking of which, there’s clearly a need for supplemental funds to cover critical operational costs incurred in the Gulf, to recapture readiness, and to make serious down payments against the munitions shortfalls that long predate operations against Iran. I would encourage the Administration to create such an opportunity, and would hope each of our colleagues would seize it.

The local community celebrated with @SenMcConnell & @RepGuthrie the $23 million in federal funding... “The reason we’re all here today is a classic example of various levels of government working together to produce an outcome,” McConnell said. https://t.co/dNsQSyBOsl

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Navy”: I want to start by acknowledging the men and women of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. They continue to meet lengthy deployments, a high operational tempo, and evolving threats with professionalism, determination, and bravery that are a credit to the entire joint force. You know as well as anyone how the operational capacity of the fleet, the production capacity of the industrial base, and the depth of our magazines are being tested today. You know how little room for mistakes there is in the training, readiness, and deployment of the world’s greatest fighting force. So I must tell you: the way PB27 is structured – particularly in accounts that matter a great deal to the Department of the Navy – is a mistake… And unfortunately, it’s not a new one: Last year, the ink was barely dry on the one-time reconciliation investment in shipbuilding when this Subcommittee began to hear from uniformed leaders about budget discrepancies, shortfalls, and broken glass in major accounts. This didn’t come as a surprise – it was the avoidable consequence of treating one-time infusions of cash like a substitute for full-year base budget spending. This is not a mistake worth repeating. But the way OMB has structured your budget suggests the Administration is willing to run even more significant risks in FY27. Take munitions: Last year, the Subcommittee fully funded one of the Navy’s top unfunded priorities: accelerated development of the MACE cruise missile. This year, the budget request would put funds for procuring these new munitions not in sustainable, annual discretionary appropriations but in a one-time reconciliation slug. Likewise, the budget request strangely splits funding of multiyear procurement contracts for key Navy munitions between annual appropriations and one-time reconciliation. Gentlemen, the entire premise of multiyear procurement is consistent yearly appropriations. It’s right there in the name. How the Department expects to send a consistent and reliable demand signal to industry with one-off reconciliation cash is beyond me. Perhaps you can explain. To be clear, I’m glad to see basic things like ship operations appropriately built into the FY27 base. And the same goes for sustainment of the F-35 – even belatedly, it’s good to see this critical platform’s operational readiness prioritized. But requesting new procurement for this aircraft in one-time reconciliation spending is an unnecessary risk. Also on the topic of aviation, I hope you have good news on F/A-XX. We’ve seen more than a year’s worth of delays and $250 million wasted on contract extensions for F/A-XX. Our adversaries have American air superiority in their crosshairs, and the longer we delay these investments, the more our edge is blunted. Admiral Caudle, I know you’ve been outspoken on the important “workhorse” role that destroyers play in today’s surface fleet. So I’ll also need to hear you square this request’s failure to include a second DDG with the continued high demand for their capabilities. Gentlemen, another topic we’ll need to hear from you on is the lessons you’re taking from current conflicts and how they inform your thinking about Navy and Marine Corps modernization. In recent months, Iran has extracted a price, effectively striking U.S. and partner military targets across the region. We’ve also continued to use exquisite interceptors to take down cheap, attritable drones. Why haven’t we adapted more quickly to the modern battlefield? Two weeks ago, Iran used small boats and drones against U.S. destroyers in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening these billion-dollar warships and the sailors who operate them. What are we doing to increase protection while reducing the cost of defending these ships? Should we be using drone boats to add layers of protection for sailors? Why aren’t we more prepared to use drones for counter-mine operations? Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to use drone vessels effectively against Russian assets in the Black Sea. What happens if Iran learns these lessons before we do? Or when China adopts them at scale? At the most basic level, what is the Department of the Navy doing to ensure that U.S. sailors and Marines benefit from every possible advantage of modern military technology? If you ask me, one of the obvious ways to do is to continue to invest in the alliances and partnerships that extend our reach and amplify our deterrent power. There is nothing to be gained from opting out of close engagement with battlefield experts like the Ukrainians… and with capable and committed partners from the first island chain to NATO’s eastern front. Mr. Secretary, Admiral Caudle, General Smith – I’ll look forward to hearing your views on these and other topics.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation will provide $10 million in federal funding for the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in Hebron, Kentucky. Senator McConnell helped secure this funding that will be used by CVG to modernize outdated equipment in Concourses A & B, as well as procure and install new passenger conveyance systems to improve passenger mobility and accessibility at the airport. Senator McConnell wrote a letter of support to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy advocating for the airport’s competitive grant application. The federal grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminal Program, established in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Senator McConnell led the IIJA to Senate passage in 2021 as Senate Republican Leader, and President Biden signed the bill into law. Since its passage, the IIJA, which is set to expire in September of this year, has given Kentucky over $6 billion of federal funding that has been used to improve roads, bridges, internet access, water infrastructure, airports, and more. “I’m proud to have helped secure this federal funding for the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport,” said Senator McConnell. “More than 8 million people traveled through CVG last year, and all of those travelers provide dollars that go back into the economy here in Kentucky. Its economic impact on Northern Kentucky and the entire region cannot be overstated, so I’m glad to work with DOT to support the airport in its efforts to modernize infrastructure and facilities.” “We express our sincere gratitude to Senator McConnell for his support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and leadership to help secure critical investments to strengthen our nation’s aviation infrastructure,” said Larry Krauter, Chief Executive Officer, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. “At CVG, these critical funds will be used to modernize our facilities and improve the passenger experience through the purchase of passenger conveyance equipment including elevators, escalators, and moving walkways to replace aging infrastructure and improve system reliability, ADA accessibility, and energy efficiency.” ###

.@SenMcConnell, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing, "A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the @USArmy": https://t.co/h9Ooc7e2jq

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Army”: I want to start by acknowledging the men and women of the U.S. Army working every day to defend America and confront our adversaries. Their jobs are dangerous but essential. And the sacrifices of the 272 soldiers wounded and the seven who gave their lives in Operation Epic Fury will not be forgotten. They are, of course, only the latest servicemembers to be killed by Iran in its decades-long war against America. But, God willing, they will be the last. This subcommittee’s job is to make sure that the soldiers under your command are equipped to deter and, if necessary, defeat threats to our global interests, wherever they arise. And the substantial increase to topline spending in the FY27 request gives us an opportunity to make overdue progress. But, as I’ve said before, what happens under that topline matters a great deal. The amount we’re willing to invest in stable, robust, year-on-year appropriations is what will determine the Army’s readiness for strategic competition with peer adversaries, its ability to adapt to modern warfare, and even its magazine depth for conflict of any scale. This is where I need to offer a few words of caution, and where I know a number of my colleagues will have questions. The reliance of this budget request on one-time reconciliation spending is a risky approach to funding the joint force. And the Army’s budget illustrates the risks pretty clearly: A majority of the funds the Army requires for critical munitions have been requested by OMB as mandatory spending instead of base discretionary spending. $24 billion of the $36 billion the Army spends on replenishing stocks of precision fires and interceptors would come as a one-time slug of cash, if reconciliation passes at all. These funds would have no protection against the short-term continuing resolutions that have become the norm at the beginning of each fiscal year. Munitions are now ostensibly a top priority of this Administration. And the Deputy Secretary has rightly devoted enormous attention and resources to the problem – one we should all know took many years to create and will take years of consistent funding to solve… …And yet, barely a third of total munitions investments required by the Army are built into the full-year base budget. For all the talk about sending a clear demand signal to industry, this strikes me as an unnecessary risk. And I’ll need to hear more from you about how this approach can possibly align with the long-term task ahead of us on restoring the munitions industrial base in America. The nature of modern warfare is changing, and recent events in the Middle East suggest the U.S. military may not be adapting as quickly as necessary. That said, I appreciate the Army’s efforts to identify and apply lessons learned from Ukraine and the Middle East. Mr. Secretary, I appreciate your willingness to call it like you see it. And I think you were absolutely right to identify the battlefield innovation taking place in Ukraine as “the Silicon Valley of warfare”. Likewise, Members of this subcommittee were recently briefed by General Chris Donahue and Lieutenant General Curtis Buzzard. It was clear that they, too, understand the path to drone dominance runs through partnership with the world’s foremost experts in drone warfare, the Ukrainians. This fact is so clear that it’s difficult to understand why more senior officials at the Pentagon, particularly those directly responsible for Ukraine policy or military modernization, haven’t followed the example you and General George set back in November by actually seeing this battle lab of tactical, technical, and industrial innovation firsthand in Ukraine. Regrettably, General George was recently fired and I understand both of these innovating, reform-minded combat veterans are set to retire. It’s pretty clear to me that America doesn’t stand to gain from opting out of the latest battlefield lessons… or the sort of cooperation with Ukraine on drone technology that our allies in the Gulf are urgently embracing. And making modest investments in this cooperation to ensure that U.S. soldiers have access to the latest battle-proven lessons and technology as they forge new doctrine seems like money well-spent. That’s why I’m concerned that the vast majority of the funds the Department requested for drone and counter-drone capabilities would come in the form of one-off reconciliation. If adapting to this reality of modern warfare is a priority – as Department leaders say it is – then we ought to prove it by making room in the full-year base budget. I’ll want to hear from you about how the Army values ties with capable partners in Ukraine… and about what our troops get out of engagement with frontline NATO allies, as well. These relationships repay U.S. investments and then some. But they’re under unnecessary strain. Threats to allies like Denmark and surprise force posture changes that affect model host allies like Poland are self-defeating. Mr. Secretary, General LaNeve – I’ll look forward to hearing your views on these and other topics.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Department of Defense”: Secretary Hegseth, General Caine – welcome. I’m looking forward to discussing the President’s budget request and I’m encouraged by this opportunity to work together for the common defense. Today, the need for significant defense investments is as urgent and obvious as it is overdue. Quantity has a quality all its own. And the sheer scale of our defense commitments sends a powerful signal. But what goes on under that topline matters. The way this budget request is structured matters. This is not a $1.5 trillion dollar defense appropriations request. It’s a request for $1.1 trillion in base appropriations and another $350 billion in reconciliation. The good news? The base request reflects real growth, unlike the net cut in the FY26 request… and unlike the Biden-level CR for FY25. But some of the most pressing items on the FY27 to-do list are downstream of missed opportunities in FY26… Like the failure to fully fund $28 billion in multiyear contracts for critical munitions. This subcommittee did what we could to increase munitions purchases above the FY26 requested levels. But we couldn’t do it all without sufficient topline. This year, the FY27 request sets a higher topline…High enough, one would think, to build the Department’s highest priorities into the base budget request, instead of shunting them off into a one-time reconciliation request. Which brings me to the bad news: The FY27 request fails to make room in the base budget for some of the military’s top priorities. This distinction between base and reconciliation matters. Base funding is what creates budget stability for the services and sends consistent demand signals to industry. And base funding is what gets extended by short-term continuing resolutions when work on full-year appropriations is unfinished. As I said last year, reconciliation should be a supplement to, not a substitute for, sustained annual funding. Political realities will not always allow for party-line budget reconciliation, and if the Department’s top priorities aren’t built into annual appropriations, we’re taking a big risk. The Department is right to make Golden Dome, munitions, the F-35 program, and drone dominance top priorities. But these key lines of effort only work if we put them on solid fiscal footing. So why is the Department requesting funding for multi-year munitions contracts – which, by definition, require steady year-on-year funding – via one-time reconciliation? And why risk some of the President’s top priorities like Golden Dome by not firmly building them into the Department’s base budget? National missile defense will require sustained funding over many years, not a one-off expenditure. Other key platforms, like a second destroyer and the E-7 battle management aircraft aren’t requested in base or reconciliation. Mr. Secretary, you’ve been outspoken about the place of America’s armed forces as the “most powerful, most lethal, and most prepared military on the planet”. I’m as committed as you are to sustaining that role… But that’s precisely why I’m confused by the Administration’s failure to prioritize key systems in year-on-year base-budget spending. Mr. Secretary, I hope you’ll also explain the Department’s current approach to allies and partners. The stunning success of Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury illustrates the importance of the access, basing, and overflight granted by allies in Europe and the Gulf. I’m as frustrated as anyone about Spain, but they are the exception to the rule when it comes to European allies carrying more of the burden. Likewise, it’s impossible to conceive of U.S. power projection in INDOPACOM without the reach that comes from decades-old alliance relationships. So I’ll want to hear the Department’s view on the role of longtime allies in support of U.S. interests across the globe… Because it’s quite clear now that our expectation for European allies is no longer the “focus on your own continent” message they received from your subordinates for most of last year. Our adversaries are working together to undermine America and the West. Strained relations with our partners – who are making generational commitments to collective defense and driving investment into American-made weapons and systems – serves our adversaries’ interests and limits our capacity and deterrent power globally. So I’ll want to hear about the future of capacity-building with committed allies and partners, from the Baltic States to Taiwan and the Philippines. And I expect that European capacity-building investments intended specifically for Ukraine reach their destination without further delay. Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East clearly show that we have things to learn from our friends. If we want Drone Dominance, it makes perfect sense to deepen cooperation with the world’s foremost drone warfare experts. This isn’t charity. When our partners are capable, deterrence is stronger and the risk to US servicemembers is lower. This is as true in the Middle East today as it is in Europe and in the Indo-Pacific. Our allies and partners share many of our global interests, and if fail to take advantage of this alignment, we’re only hurting ourselves. I’ll end with one final observation on the prospect of supplemental appropriations: The deficiencies of our critical munitions stocks and industrial capacity existed long before conflict with Iran and Russia’s escalation in Ukraine. If the Administration sends Congress a supplemental appropriations request, it’ll be an important step toward fixing a longstanding problem and investing in future deterrence. It shouldn’t be a referendum on war in Iran. I supported a national security supplemental in 2024 even though I thought President Biden’s approach to Russia and Iran was too weak. I did it not only because supporting Ukraine is in our strategic interests, but because these funds helped replenish American stockpiles and restore our own defense industrial base. Today, the need to expand munitions production and replace battlefield losses is even more urgent. And if we get the chance to consider an emergency supplemental, I would urge each of our colleagues – even those who object to the president’s use of force against Iran – to leave politics at the door and help restore readiness.

New defense innovation hub at UofL aims to connect Kentucky talent with Pentagon needs https://t.co/Pm4pPGJpfh

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today regarding President Trump’s decision to remove tariffs on bourbon and whiskey: “With the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby this Saturday, the President’s decision to roll back tariffs on bourbon and whiskey is timely and welcome news. 95% of the world’s bourbon is produced in the Commonwealth and the industry employs more than 23,000 hardworking Kentuckians. This move will give businesses the certainty they need to increase investment in Kentucky’s economy. After more than a year of looming high prices and increased costs, Kentucky’s bourbon industry and the consumers that support it can be hopeful for the future.” ###

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, submitted the following op-ed published in The Washington Post regarding Ukraine: Headlines often say that Americans don’t support U.S. aid to Ukraine, but real Americans say otherwise. They have consistently affirmed that Washington should aid Kyiv in resisting Russian aggression. Congress last year acted on that wish: Republican majorities on both armed services committees authorized $400 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative for each of the next two years. Appropriators fully funded that authorization for fiscal 2026 with overwhelming support. Yet the Ukraine aid we passed months ago is now collecting dust at the Pentagon. When Senate appropriators have sought an explanation from the department’s policy shop, led by Undersecretary Elbridge Colby, they’ve been stonewalled. Our colleagues on armed services have also expressed growing frustration with the Defense Department’s inability to communicate. This doesn’t seem to be a first for Colby. Last year, he was reportedly behind the decision to suspend arms shipments to Kyiv — a decision that one source said caught Trump “flat-footed.” Colby also determined that security assistance to Ukraine and America’s NATO allies in the Baltics was “wasteful” and removed these long-standing efforts from the fiscal 2026 budget request. Republican majorities disagreed and restored the funds. We did so not out of charity but because aiding Ukraine is an investment in America’s security. In the first two years of the full-scale war, support for Ukraine drove billions of dollars in investments in the U.S. defense industrial base. Even amid the Biden administration’s anemic response, Senate appropriators used supplemental funding bills to expand production capacity for critical munitions and components like solid rocket motors. Congress also exceeded the Trump administration’s request in the fiscal 2026 defense appropriations bill to build on that progress and address long-standing munitions shortfalls. Pentagon officials who embraced a continuing resolution last year — and a fiscal 2026 budget request that wouldn’t have come close to maximizing U.S. production capacity — therefore needn’t lecture us about limited supplies. President Donald Trump’s focus on ending the war is noble. But the price and stability of peace matter. The Pentagon’s approach of withholding or slow-rolling support to Ukraine is in effect the same strategy President Joe Biden deployed. Never mind that hesitating to give Ukraine what it needs weakens its capacity to defend against aggression and hampers the prospects of diplomacy. Pentagon officials seem to have retained other self-defeating policies too. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and then-Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George visited Ukraine last year to see firsthand the rapid evolution of battlefield tactics and technologies. Driscoll described it as the “Silicon Valley of warfare” and recently said the country has “done an amazing job innovating.” But he and Gen. George are among the few senior officials to have made the journey. I know other officers who are eager to apply Ukrainians’ counter-drone and electronic warfare lessons to the U.S. Army’s preparations for future conflicts. They can’t learn from a war, however, if they can’t properly observe it. The Pentagon nevertheless continues a Biden administration policy of significantly capping the number of military trainers authorized to assist Ukraine and witness the conflict up close. Whether by policy or by choice, top Pentagon officials responsible for Ukraine policy, including the head of the U.S. European Command, haven’t made the trip. The president’s special envoy in charge of negotiations evidently hasn’t either, even though he’s been to Moscow multiple times. America’s adversaries aren’t so willfully ignorant about the modern battlefield. They are learning and adapting. Iran has made that painfully clear in its attacks on U.S. personnel and facilities in the Persian Gulf, which applied drone capabilities honed by Russia with deadly effect. North Korea has likewise gotten involved, sending troops to Russia not out of charity but for tactical experience and closer alignment with Moscow. China is doubtless watching events in Ukraine and the Middle East closely as it refines its military investments and plans. We’re already paying a price for inaction. The Biden and Trump administrations have both failed to take advantage of Ukraine’s advances in drone and counter-drone technology. Militaries, including our own, are now scrambling to get those proven systems to the Mideast to better defend against Iranian strikes. Meantime, the Pentagon still won’t tell us why it hasn’t obligated and executed modest Ukraine investments. If we’re serious about “drone dominance,” we shouldn’t sandbag a relationship with the world’s foremost drone experts. And if we’re keen on remaining the world’s preeminent superpower, we shouldn’t let unelected defense officials undermine U.S. leadership and obstruct deepening ties with Ukraine’s innovative military and industrial base. What gives?