Defense & National Security

“While this bill contains many important provisions for Connecticut, the addition of $1 billion above the budget request to set us on the path to building three submarines per year in 2022 and 2023 stands out as major development for our region and our nation,” said Courtney.

“Each year, I have the privilege of working with representatives from across the country and across the aisle to put together this important legislation that invests in our national defense,” said Courtney. “This bill continues my work to respond to the testimony of our military commanders that the U.S. must continue to grow our submarine force."

“Despite repeated confirmation that Iran is following the nuclear deal from UN weapons inspectors on the ground, to the President’s own Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, and our closest allies, President Trump has recklessly decided to pull the U.S. out of the agreement,” said Courtney. “This isolates our nation at the very moment we should be rallying international support to denuclearize North Korea. I will support every option possible in Congress to reconstruct and strengthen the progress we have already made toward keeping nuclear weapons out of Iran’s hands. Unfortunately, the President has seriously undermined that effort today.”

“Bashar al-Assad's criminal chemical weapons attacks against the Syrian people requires both an effective response and a comprehensive strategy," said Courtney. "Clearly, our naval forces executed a precise, laser-focused strike with great competence and skill, and which Secretary of Defense Mattis described as limited. From this point on, the Trump administration needs to consult with Congress on what the overall strategy in Syria will be, a question that is far from clear and one I raised with the Secretary this past Wednesday during a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee.”