Taking the Senate floor Friday afternoon, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell criticized the ongoing government shutdown — warning it disrupts essential defense work and delays passage of full-year military appropriations.
He argued that short-term funding measures, known as continuing resolutions (CRs), harm the U.S. military by freezing spending at outdated levels, blocking new programs and stalling modernization efforts, and he added that a full-year CR would “undermine readiness, efficiency, and the defense industry’s ability to expand production of critical munitions.”
He also urged Congress to “quickly approve long-term defense appropriations to support key priorities,” including missile defense, new stealth fighter jets, shipbuilding and nuclear modernization.
McConnell warned that without serious new investments, “the U.S. risks falling behind global competitors, especially China and Russia.”
The senator also criticized the Biden administration’s defense budgets for not keeping pace with inflation and failing to match its stated priorities, and he said Pentagon leaders themselves report funding shortfalls, even after recent appropriations, due to the high pace of global operations.
McConnell continues to back U.S. support for Ukraine, while noting that polls show most Americans “favor sending more weapons,” and that House Republicans recently rejected efforts to cut aid. He said allies are watching America’s commitments closely, and weakening support “would embolden Russia and China.”
He added that ambitious projects like a continental missile defense shield, expanded drone warfare capabilities, and modernized air power require sustained, long-term funding far beyond one-time allocations. “Pushups alone aren’t going to stop Chinese hypersonic missiles,” McConnell said, stressing the need for advanced long-range capabilities.
The senator welcomed comments from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about pursuing a “Trump buildup” of the military, comparing it to the Reagan-era defense surge. But he cautioned that rhetoric must be matched with resources and a strong National Defense Strategy that prioritizes American primacy and support for allies.
Ultimately, McConnell said once the shutdown ends, Congress must pass a serious, full-year defense bill that invests in deterrence and ensures U.S. forces are equipped to win future conflicts. He urged both parties to “put our money where our mouth is” in rebuilding the military and demonstrating American resolve.
Video Recap of Day 3 Shutdown: (206) WATCH LIVE: Lawmakers Speak On The Senate Floor On Day Three Of The Government Shutdown – YouTube
Notable Shutdowns Since 1976
1976: President Gerald Ford – 11 days
1977: President Jimmy Carter – 12 days
1978: Carter – 17 days
1979: Carter – 11 days
1995: President Bill Clinton – 5 days
1996: Clinton – 21 days
2013: President Barack Obama – 17 days
2019: Trump – 35 days, costing the economy about $3 billion (0.02% of GDP), according to the Congressional Budget Office
