Senator Mitch McConnell

It was great to be at Chad Meredith’s investiture today in Lexington, Kentucky, as he officially takes his seat on the federal bench. I’m confident in Chad’s future, and I’m excited for all his coming success as a federal judge.

Today, as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I delivered an opening statement for the hearing, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Army.

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.

My full remarks: https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=2C202415-BEBF-4E5B-BFDB-9C86FBE59BFB

This week, I’m honored to join communities throughout the U.S. in celebrating National Police Week. Every day, law enforcement officers across the country answer the call to serve and defend our communities. I’m proud to continue my work in the Senate supporting these devoted public servants—federal, state, and local—who put their lives on the line for the security of the American people, and I’m grateful for their bravery and tireless efforts to protect Kentuckians across the Commonwealth.

It was great to attend the groundbreaking of the Brent Spence Bridge today. I was proud to champion this project in the Senate, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that provided billions in federal funding for Kentucky’s infrastructure. Many thanks to all those involved with getting this done. I’m glad that we could celebrate this accomplishment together, and I’m excited to see this bridge go up. https://sen.gov/52V7Y

I’m proud to cosponsor Senator Joni Ernst’s resolution recognizing this week as National Small Business Week. Kentucky is home to 393,860 small businesses that employ more than 710,000 people and make up the backbone of the Commonwealth’s economy. I’m glad to honor so many hardworking people across our state, and I remain committed to supporting pro-growth policies in the U.S. Senate that help Kentuckians achieve the American Dream.

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.

I enjoyed visiting with my friends from the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. I appreciate their advocacy efforts at the federal level, and I’m grateful for their work providing customers across the Commonwealth with reliable electricity.

Clearly, King Charles wants America to know our allies, who came to our aid after 9/11, still look to us for leadership. On the importance of NATO and handing Russia a defeat in Ukraine, his message is crystal clear.

Great to see my friends from the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association this week. I appreciate all the work they do on behalf of our cattle farmers across Kentucky, and I’m grateful for their advocacy efforts.

My latest via Fox News:

SEN MITCH McCONNELL: Hungary’s voters offer a lesson for those on the right drawn to Orban Viktor Orban's ouster in Hungary's elections challenges the American right's embrace of his government and its misalignment with U.S. foreign policy goals.