[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 164 (Wednesday, September 22, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6596-S6597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           FOREIGN RELATIONS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, this morning, I had the honor to meet 
with Prime Minister Johnson of the United Kingdom, and later today, I 
will meet

[[Page S6597]]

with Prime Minister Morrison of Australia as well. Any day Congress has 
the opportunity to strengthen working relationships with two of our 
Nation's closest friends and allies is a good day indeed.
  Our meetings today come at a time when our most important trans-
Atlantic and trans-Pacific alliances are facing growing threats to 
collective security and to prosperity.
  In the face of Russia's meddling, China's expansionism, a reinflamed 
War on Terror, and further threats to democracy and human rights around 
the world, the steady leadership of committed partners is more crucial 
than ever. So I specifically wanted to thank our friends in Australia 
and the United Kingdom for their years of loyal friendship that have 
underpinned coalition operations in Afghanistan and our joint efforts 
elsewhere to check the most pressing threats to our nations and to the 
kind of world that will help us thrive.
  I will be reaffirming my own commitment that America must be the 
reliable, committed, and globally engaged ally that our closest friends 
deserve.

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