WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the National Defense Authorization Act:

“President Obama’s approach to national security policy began with unworkable ideas on the campaign trail, and it’s been marked by some consistent themes.

“Like inflexible commitments to drawing down our conventional military posture from across the globe. Like an excessive reliance on international organizations. Like a tendency toward the use of special operations forces to train and equip units in other countries.

“What do we see as we look back now, at the twilight of his presidency?

“We’ve seen increased instability in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen.

“We’ve seen the evolution of Al Qaeda in Iraq into ISIL, and its expansion into Libya, Syria, and the Sinai.

“In just a few short months the next commander-in-chief, regardless of party will be faced with the consequences of the President’s failed foreign policy and will need to adapt an insufficient defense modernization program to tackle both the challenges posed by terrorism and by adversaries like China, Russia and Iran.

“This is why we need to use the remaining months of this Administration to help prepare the next Administration, regardless of party, to deal with the mess it’s about to inherit. That’s what we’re doing here on the floor now.

“The defense bill before us will modernize our military and provide our troops with more of the tools they need to confront the threats we face.

“It will help prepare our next commander-in-chief to confront the complex challenges of today and tomorrow.

“It’s serious policy, policy that will help keep our country safe, and after years of this Administration’s spin and failures that’s what our people deserve.”