McConnell to head subcommittee overseeing defense spending as he prepares to step down as GOP leader
Source: AP
Updated 6:31 PM EST, November 21, 2024
Sen. Mitch McConnell said Thursday he will lead a subcommittee overseeing defense spending as he carves out new roles once he relinquishes his long-running post as Senate Republican leader.
The Kentucky Republican revealed he will assume the chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. The role dovetails with his constant message that America needs a bulked-up military to deter threats from adversaries such as Russia, Iran and China.
The transition comes as McConnell is ending his role as the longest-serving Senate leader in history, just as Republicans prepare to take majority control of the chamber after big gains in this months election. Republicans elected South Dakota Sen. John Thune, a top deputy to McConnell, as the next Senate majority leader.
McConnell, 82, said Thursday he will assume the subcommittee chairmanship at a critical time. Americas national security interests face the gravest array of threats since the Second World War, the senator said in a statement. At this critical moment, a new Senate Republican majority has a responsibility to secure the future of U.S. leadership and primacy.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/senate-mitch-mcconnell-93853ba600bd9de03e39ea613cba452b
jimfields33
(18,878 posts)That seems to be the consensus of most of the democratic supporters for a long time. Hopefully, we will see it.
Deminpenn
(16,317 posts)and his plans for NATO and Ukraine. It might well doom Hegseth's nomination, too.
BumRushDaShow
(142,358 posts)It will also put Lindsey Graham in the line of fire upon the commencement of a 45 vs Turtle battle.