Official Congressional Record
Mr. President, sadness entered the Senate over the weekend, and as we reflect upon the life of our colleague, our friend, our fellow citizen, our patriot toward the United States of America-- and a friend, really, of the world--Senator Lindsey Graham, we honor his commitment to promoting liberty and fighting tyranny throughout the world. Yesterday, I joined a bipartisan group of Senators by reintroducing legislation that he championed--the Sanctioning Russia Act. This legislation would meaningfully alter the course of Russia's unjust war in Ukraine, and it serves as a fitting tribute to the cause Senator Graham championed throughout his life and service in the U.S. Senate. Last month, leaders of the G7 countries issued a joint statement declaring their ``unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and [its] territorial integrity.'' This was a welcomed statement from the world's major industrialized democracies as Ukraine endures withering attacks from Russia, coupled with the renewed commitment to both Ukraine and article 5 at this month's NATO Summit. These words, backed by President Trump, come at a pivotal moment in Ukraine's defense against Russia. While Ukrainian forces are making headlines--taking the battle to Russian territory, attacking Russian energy and defense infrastructure at increased rates, and placing Russian-held Crimea under pressure--the situation in the Donbas remains precarious. The ingenuity and courage of the Ukrainian forces have reduced Russian progress to incremental gains and in some places have achieved reverses, but they still suffer a manpower shortage and, most alarmingly, lack critical air defense interceptors. The G7 members agreed to ``increase the delivery of air defence capacities, additional systems and interceptors, and long-range capabilities.'' In recognizing the capabilities of Ukraine's defense industrial base, the statement says the countries are ``ready to consider extending to Ukraine the benefit of licenses to allow for an increase in [Ukrainian production of its military equipment].'' Words, however, must be backed by action, and the United States and our allies must act quickly. For more than a year, I have advocated for Ukraine to receive access to cruise missiles. To the extent practicable, these weapons and Patriot interceptors should be expedited for Kyiv's use. Given the backlogs in our own defense industrial base and that of the Europeans', investing in and supporting Ukraine's domestic war production is not something to be considered but something to be done. I am encouraged by President Trump's announcement at last week's NATO Summit of his intention to issue licenses for Ukraine to build Patriot interceptors domestically. While details remain to be worked out and while there are obstacles to overcome to make this announcement a reality, it signals to Vladimir Putin that his war is on borrowed time. The same holds true in pressuring Russia's economy through oil and gas sanctions. The G7 said: This statement coincides with the expiration of the most recent Treasury waiver on Russian oil sanctions, which was announced by President Trump last October. Those sanctions were having a significant impact by depriving Moscow of revenue. Secretary Bessent has not issued another waiver, nor should he. The White House has taken an important step in endorsing longstanding legislation introduced by the late Senator Lindsey Graham. I have cosponsored this legislation, which would punish countries that continue to buy Russian oil with crippling tariffs. This is a clear, clear message to friends and foes alike: You can do business with Russia or you can do business with the United States, but you can't do both. I welcome Leader Thune's intention to bring this legislation to a vote soon, to send it to the President's desk for his signature, and to its becoming law. Similarly, I call on our European allies to find new supplies of liquefied natural gas more quickly ahead of next year's deadline to phase out Russian purchases. The EU's imports of Russian LNG increased--they increased--in the month of May, reportedly providing Moscow with over $1 billion in revenue. It is imperative for European countries to treat the war in Ukraine with the urgency it deserves and choke off Russia's revenue streams. Despite over 1 million casualties and a badly damaged national economy, Vladimir Putin's objectives have not changed. From the outset of the full invasion he ordered in February of 2022, he has sought to subjugate Kyiv's sovereign authority to Moscow. He will not succeed, but his failure in Ukraine may make him more dangerous elsewhere. In the fall of 2022, as Russia's war effort faltered, Russian officials repeatedly threatened to use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Given Russian drone activity in NATO territory recently, our European allies who border Russia have legitimate fears that Putin could escalate the war to include them. President Trump is absolutely right to expect our allies to assume responsibility for their own security. Today and for the next several years to come, however, the undeniable fact is that American forces have capabilities which cannot be replicated by the rest of NATO. Our continued involvement and leadership are critical to deterring Putin should he believe that he can take action against NATO and succeed either by taking territory or by fracturing the alliance. Last month's G7 statement is unequivocally clear in recognizing the threat Putin poses to European security. Through continued American leadership, Putin will fail in his goals to conquer Ukraine and split the West, and not just Europe but the entire world will be safer because of it. Mr. President, this summer, from July 17 to 19--not too far away-- residents of Burdett, KS, will come together to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the town's founding. Burdett is a small community of fewer than 250 residents, and it is particularly meaningful to me as a place that I have represented since I was first elected to public office as a State senator. The community is special to me because, on election night of that State senate race, Browns Grove Township was the very first township to report its voting totals, and the tally showed that I just might win my uphill race for the Kansas State Senate. Some of my best remembrances are the Monday community potluck lunches and the annual Tri-County picnic in the city park. I have knocked on every door in Burdett and talked with members of the community about their hopes, their concerns, and how we can preserve our special way of life for another generation of Kansans. This summer, as local residents commemorate Burdett's history, they will also pay tribute to one of their own: Clyde Tombaugh, whose significant contributions advanced the fields of scientific discovery and space exploration. It is impossible to visit Burdett without seeing the pride the community has in his accomplishments. Born February 4, 1906, Clyde was raised on a farm just outside Burdett, and he quickly developed a love of astronomy and learning. As a teenager, he taught himself how to build his own telescopes out of spare parts that he found around the family farm. Later, his commitment to research and exploration would lead him to make a remarkable discovery that made history and helped to unlock a new understanding of our solar system. On February 18, 1930, at the age of just 24, Clyde discovered the existence of Pluto, the only major planet discovered here in the United States. Following this achievement, Clyde earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in astronomy from the University of Kansas, and he went on to make many more contributions to advancing the fields of scientific research and space exploration. In 2015, NASA honored him by carrying a portion of his ashes aboard the New Horizons spacecraft on its mission to Pluto. The heart-shaped region of Pluto's surface was officially named Tombaugh Regio in his honor, paying tribute to his accomplishments and cementing the legacy of a Kansas farm kid in one of the most remote parts of our solar system. As Burdett celebrates its 150th anniversary--and I say congratulations to them--it is a history that is embodied by the story of Clyde Tombaugh, someone with determination, hard work, and curiosity, whose discoveries helped to shape how future generations understand our universe. For decades, this tight-knit community of Burdett has preserved his legacy and made certain the world remembers his contributions to science, research, and discovery. I hope everyone passing through southwestern Kansas will take the time to visit Burdett to learn the history and the legacy of this little town on the plains of Kansas. On behalf of the U.S. Senate to the citizens of Burdett--past, present, and future--I congratulate the community of Burdett on its 150th anniversary and express my gratitude for the way in which its residents have honored and preserved the memory of one of our most notable Kansans and how kind they have always been to me. I yield the floor.
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