[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 181 (Thursday, November 2, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5322-S5323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Recognition of the Minority Leader

  The Republican leader is recognized.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, America's status as a global superpower 
comes with global interests and global responsibilities. We have a 
direct interest in a stable and peaceful Middle East, and we have a 
responsibility to stand with Israel, our closest ally in the region, 
and to impose real costs on those who seek to harm U.S. personnel. We 
have a direct interest in preserving free commerce and deterring 
aggression in the Indo-Pacific, and we have a responsibility to future 
generations of Americans to win this century's long-term strategic 
competition with communist China. And we have a direct interest in 
stability and security in Europe, not only because we have treaty 
obligations to NATO allies but also because Europe is our largest 
trading partner, largest source of foreign, direct investment, and a 
critical engine of our own economy.
  As I have explained repeatedly, the emergency funding we have 
appropriated in response to Russia's war against Ukraine isn't charity. 
These resources are helping a Western-oriented country degrade the 
military strength of a major U.S. adversary. Ukraine is blunting 
Putin's tools of aggression and disrupting his imperial ambitions in 
Europe, and all without involving American servicemembers in the fight.
  But let's be honest. Aside from the funds we have appropriated for 
U.S. military training and logistic support in Europe, the bulk of 
America's security assistance is being spent in factories right here at 
home. Some of it goes to purchase new weapons for Ukraine, but far more 
of it is going to replenish our own arsenal. Our investment is growing 
American military strength to meet the challenges that come with global 
leadership.
  Since Putin's brutal escalation last year, the United States has 
invested $24 billion in replenishing our--our--arsenal with brandnew 
capabilities. We have poured $692 million into new munitions and 
tactical vehicles produced in Missouri, almost a billion dollars in 
Alabama, and more than a billion dollars in Wisconsin.

[[Page S5323]]

  But our investment is also expanding our production capacity. That 
means more factory floor space, new production lines, and new shifts of 
workers--all to help meet future threats. State by state, we are 
breathing new life into the arsenal of democracy.
  And, crucially, America's allies and partners are following suit. 
They are investing historic sums in their own industries, their own 
militaries. They are expanding their own defense industrial bases, and 
many are also choosing to ``Buy American.''
  Poland has invested $3.75 billion in new Abrams tanks from Michigan, 
Alabama, and Ohio; Estonia has spent half a billion dollars on HIMARS 
rocket systems from Texas; and Slovakia and Romania have spent a 
combined $350 million on new tactical vehicles from Wisconsin.
  And it isn't just European allies who recognize the need to 
modernize. Japan has allocated $1.3 billion for new E-2 command and 
control aircraft from Florida. Australia has put $6.3 billion toward 
new C-130 aircraft from Georgia, and Indonesia has invested $14 billion 
on a new crop of F-15 fighter jets from Missouri.
  All told, America's allies and partners have invested $120 billion 
and counting since February of 2022 to rebuild their defense capacities 
right here in America. They are buying American because they appreciate 
our cutting-edge technologies because they understand the importance of 
an interoperable combined force.
  But, most of all, they are buying American because of American 
leadership. It has been the United States' example that has helped our 
allies wake up from years of neglecting their commitments to defense. 
It is confidence in our leadership and military edge that is driving 
their historic efforts to start sharing more of the burden of 
collective security.
  And let's get something absolutely clear: This will not continue if 
America loses its resolve. We don't have the luxury of closing our 
gates and hoping for evil to leave us alone. America's allies are 
waking up to that fact. Now is not the time for the leader of the free 
world to go to sleep.