Mitch McConnell disturbed by antisemitism on campuses, continues push against isolationism

Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell told reporters on Friday he's disturbed by the presence of antisemitism on college campuses.

The U.S. Senate minority leader was referencing the protests that have recently emerged on campuses over the Israel-Hamas war, where students are calling for their colleges and universities to divest from companies that support Israel's military efforts in Gaza.

At some campuses, pro-Palestinian students have set up tent encampments in protests that have resulted in sometimes hundreds of arrests, including at Columbia University, Ohio State University and George Washington University.

"Free speech means the opportunity to listen to different points of view in a civil and respectful manner," McConnell said. "And I think the sooner these so-called elite universities to get a hold of their campuses, the better."

McConnell's comments came during a press conference he held Friday in the McConnell Center at the University of Louisville, where he also touted his role in the recent foreign aid package that was signed into law.

The U.S. House passed the foreign aid package after months of delay that sends funds to Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific. President Joe Biden then signed it into law on Wednesday.

Previously, the Senate passed a similar version of the package earlier this year, which McConnell was a driving force behind.

It wasn’t an easy passage though, as Republican infighting stalled movement for the legislation.

The bills give $60 billion to Ukraine, $17 billion to Israel, $9 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza and elsewhere and $8 billion for allies in the Indo-Pacific.

McConnell received some criticism, even from those in his own party, including fellow Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, for advocating to use taxpayer money to support other countries’ wars.

Paul has criticized McConnell multiple times on his stance on Ukraine aid, saying it isn’t what Kentuckians want, and has accused him of not being fiscally conservative.

When he asked by The Courier Journal for a response to Paul's criticism, McConnell said Friday he didn't have one.

He has brushed aside arguments against sending money to Ukraine multiple times, including at a recent stop in Shelby County. There, McConnell said he has made it a priority to push back against isolationism and will continue to do so even when he steps down from leadership in November.

McConnell has also criticized prominent right-wing figures, including media personality Tucker Carlson and former President Donald Trump, for the delay in passing the foreign aid package.

During the press conference Friday, he reiterated there was "no good argument to oppose funding for Ukraine."

McConnell also criticized the Biden administration for creating defense budgets that don't keep up with inflation. Moving forward, McConnell said he will focus on advocating for funding foreign policy and defense.

"We need to step up and fund defense and foreign policy properly and play the role that we need to play for democracies around the world," McConnell said. "They're all looking at us, whether we want to be the leader, and we are."

McConnell is the longest-serving senator in Kentucky history and only the second-ever Kentuckian to be a majority leader of the Senate, a post he held from 2015-21. He had a few health scares last year, where he froze and was unable to speak during press conferences.

The minority leader announced earlier this year he would be stepping down from his leadership position in November but will finish out his term, which ends in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Mitch McConnell disturbed by antisemitism on college campuses