McConnell: U.S. is on the right track in Middle East

By Suzia van Swol, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service
Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) calls President Obama’s plan “hardly distinguishable from the strategy of the previous administration” and says Afghanistan is “clearly an area where we need to keep the pressure on to prevent another attack on the homeland.”

McConnell traveled with Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), James Risch (R-Idaho) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) to the Middle East during the U.S. Congress recess, visiting with foreign officials regarding political, economic and military/security issues affecting bilateral relations.

Following the trip, McConnell said in a news conference today that the U.S. is “on the right track,” in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Over in Afghanistan, I think the surge that the President has ordered is the right thing to do,” said McConnell pertaining to President Obama’s decision to send additional troops to boost Afghan efforts.

“We’re going to be in Afghanistan for a long time to come,” said Sen. Chambliss, and it’s going to have to be a political, not military solution. Chambliss went on to say that leadership is needed from a State Department standpoint in Iraq.

McConnell noted that Israel and moderate Arab states have widespread concern over Iran’s nuclear weapon capabilities.

Today at TRNS

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service

Today Talk Radio News Service the Washington Bureau will be covering Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) news conference on the economic stimulus package. Additionally, the Bureau will have coverage of the 2009 National Health Policy Conference, and will cover an event on "Human Rights and Civil Society in Iran" at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. UN Correspondent Tala Dowlatshahi is covering a briefing on Sierra Leone war crimes.

Congressional leaders praise new Capitol Visitor Center

The new Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) will be a "wonderful experience" for tourists according to Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Reid said that because of the CVC, "the people's temple shines brighter than ever before."

At the opening ceremony for the CVC today, Reid remarked that he had contemplated overhauling the east side of the Capitol (where the CVC is located underground) since the 1960's. He said he felt, "we need to do something about this ugly East Front of the Capitol." He felt that while construction "went very slowly," the completed CVC is "really terrific."

Reid also said that before the five-acre CVC, visitors of the Capitol "had to depend on tour guides." A 13-minute video in the CVC will allow visitors to learn about the history and power of the Capitol.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) stated that "environmentally friendly initiatives" have been added to the CVC. Pelosi added that the creation of the CVC embodies the U.S. ability to "adapt" and will inspire citizens and congressmen alike "to write new chapters in our nation's history."

Minority Leader of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) said the CVC will help visitors avoid inclement weather and stay out of long lines. He claimed the CVC acknowledges the "spiritual heritage" of the U.S. Boehner added that the CVC will "begin a new era" in the existence of the Capitol.

Minority Leader of the Senate Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the opening of the CVC was important because the Capitol should be "no less meaningful than the document that established it." He was very happy with how the CVC turned out, saying it was finished due to "the work of many heads and many hands."

Powell: Yes you can

Honoring America’s African American men and women of the Armed Forces was the theme in the Capitol’s rotunda as members of Congress, former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell and Defense Secretary Robert Gates celebrated the 60th anniversary of President Truman’s Executive Order which integrated the U.S. Armed Forces. Prior to the start of the event, patriotic anthems played including “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful” with a Revolutionary War procession kicking off the ceremony.

The speakers spoke of President Truman’s actions in signing Executive Order Number 9981 as “remarkable and worthy of praise,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Defense Sec. Robert Gates said “no aspect of black American’s quest for justice and equality under the law has been nobler than has been called the fight for the right to fight.” Gates said that in commemorating the 60th anniversary of the integration of the U.S. Armed Services, it reminds us of what it took to get there and “yet how much remains to be done,” said Gates.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) honored two African Americans who served in World War II. Captain Spencer Moore and Sergeant A. Williams Perry, who had been Buffalo soldiers of the 92nd infantry division in World War II were recognized for having served in racially segregated units. While speaking Moore said “God truly blessed us with the leadership of President Truman.” Moore posed the question though at the end of his speach that led to the standing ovation of the audience “What took us so long to live up to our creed?” said Moore.

After receiving a standing ovation, former Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke of the effects that Truman’s Executive Order had on him personally. “When I went in [to the Armed Forces] they no longer cared whether I was black or white, immigrant or not, the only thing my commanders ever told me from 1958 to the rest of my career was ‘can you perform?’ And that’s all we have ever asked for and throughout our history we have demonstrated, we can perform, let there be no doubt about it,” said Powell.

Powell’s remarks concluded when he stated “let us remember that there is still minorities in our country, African Americans, Hispanics others who are not in the military who are still looking for that dream who still need to be helped, let us not rest on our laurels. Let’s not rest on our laurels as long as there is one kid out there who grows up wondering ‘can I dream in America? Can I go to the very top?’ The answer has to be yes you can.”

Leader McConnell: “Energy is clearly, unambiguously the number one issue in the U.S.”

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) held a conference call to discuss America’s need for a balanced and bipartisan energy plan. McConnell said that energy is the most important subject in the nation right now. He explained that in order to fix the energy problem, the U.S. needs to “find more and use less.” McConnell explained that the new bill addresses only a small part of the overall issue, speculation, and this act alone will not get the job done. He wants Congress to make a more serious effort in addressing the problem.

McConnell said that energy is the biggest issue the nation has faced since terrorism after 9-11. He is curious to see whether the Senate will “rise to the occasion” and deal with this big problem in a big, comprehensive way. McConnell wants to see if Congress can use this week to deal with the issue in a serious way and on a bipartisan basis.

McConnell also explained that Congress needs to do something “beyond the status quo.” According to McConnell, there has not yet been an adequate remedy for the energy crisis. He said he has no problem looking into the speculation aspect of the issue, but he also said that no one would argue that that is not all Congress needs to do. He stressed that over seventy percent of the American population is calling for a solution, and the time to start dealing with it is now. McConnell said that everyone is waiting to see if America is going to “get it back together” and do something serious to address the issue.

McConnell would not say whether or not he would vote in favor or against the energy bill on Tuesday, but said again and again that it only deals with a small portion of what needs to be done. He said he hopes Congress will be able to have a real debate with plenty of options, amendments, and votes because the American people are simply demanding it.