Jackson Purchase News

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell recently appeared on two Sunday news shows, Fox's 'Fox News Sunday' and CBS' 'Face The Nation', where he discussed various topics including President Biden's supplemental request, freezing funds to Iran, and aid to Ukraine.

Regarding President Biden's supplemental request, McConnell stated, "We're going to take a good hard look at it and I and most of my members believe we need something credible on the border, as well. I mean, if we're going to challenge accepting financial responsibility to helping our allies, we certainly want to do something to help ourselves. And so we'll get this supplemental request a serious look and probably recommend some changes as well."

McConnell also highlighted the importance of a worldwide approach to address challenges from China, Russia, and terrorism. He said, "We have big power competition from China, and Russia and we still have terrorism problems, as the Israelis have certainly experienced in a brutal way in the last week. So I think that requires a worldwide approach rather than trying to take parts of it out. It's all connected. The Chinese and the Russians said they're now friends forever. Iranian drones are being used in Ukraine and against the Israelis."

On the topic of freezing funds to Iran, McConnell expressed the need to get tougher with Iran and not engage in business with them. He said, "[W]e'd like to make it law so that [the freeze] can’t be undone. I think we need to get tougher with Iran and I do think the weakness in both the Obama and the Biden administration is the thought that somehow, we can do business with Iran on something and I think it's pretty clear we can’t."

McConnell further emphasized the importance of supporting Israel after the recent attack by Iran-sponsored Hamas. He stated, "I think number one, quit talking to the Iranians about any kind of nuclear deal. Number two, don't give them the $6 billion. Number three, back-up the Israelis in every conceivable way after this attack by Iran sponsored Hamas."

Turning to aid to Ukraine, McConnell highlighted the benefits it brings to the United States. He said, "[O]ne of the best things about this from the U.S. point of view is when we give older equipment to the Ukrainians, for example, we are rebuilding our industrial base in this country. There are jobs being created by the help that we’re providing Ukraine, in 38 different states. And [we’re] rebuilding our industrial complex for the more serious big power threat in Asia. So the notion that our assistance to Ukraine is not helpful to us is simply not factual."

McConnell also defended the assistance to Ukraine by stating that no Americans are getting killed in Ukraine, and that it helps in destroying the army of one of the United States' biggest rivals. He said, "[N]o Americans are getting killed in Ukraine. We're rebuilding our industrial base. The Ukrainians are destroying the army of one of our biggest rivals. I have a hard time finding anything wrong with that. I think it's wonderful that they're defending themselves. And also the notion that the Europeans are not doing enough. They've done almost $90 billion. They’re housing a bunch of refugees who’ve escaped. I think that our NATO allies in Europe have done quite a lot."

In conclusion, McConnell's appearances on the Sunday news shows provided insights into his views on border security, Iran, and aid to Ukraine. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to address global challenges, the importance of not engaging in business with Iran, and the benefits of assisting Ukraine in terms of job creation and national security.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=8EBEB4FD-CB9A-4457-B4D4-98F2D7E974E3