James E. Risch · TranslatePolitics.com

Senate

Russia Sanctions (Executive Session)

2026-08-07

“I want this bill to pass. It will help Ukraine fight Russia. It will protect Americans too. We need to end this conflict. That way we can focus on other things people care about. This bill will make a big difference. It will cut off money that keeps Putin in power. I worked hard on this bill with many people. I want to thank the staff who worked on it. It was a lot of work. This bill was important to Lindsey Graham. I hope many people will vote for it.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. President, I want to join my colleague, the distinguished ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee. We are in the same spot on this bill and on the amendment. Just last week, I stood in this Chamber and asked my colleagues to join me in moving this bill forward, and many of them--from both sides of the aisle--did so. That vote was successful with a margin of 86 to 12. That is a rare vote at this time in the Senate. That same night that we voted in tremendous support of Ukraine, a number of us welcomed Ukraine's President back to the Capitol, where he gave us a fulsome update on Ukraine's battlefield successes. He expressed how Ukraine sorely needed this sanctions legislation to magnify the impact of Russia's battlefield losses by imposing crippling economic costs on Russia's economy. This could finally bring Russia to the negotiating table and end this conflict, which we all want to see happen. But to be clear, while this legislation would help Ukraine counter Russian aggression, it also protects Idahoans--all Americans--but Idahoans, who I focus on here, as all of us focus on our own constituents, and that is always each of our priority. Peace and stability in Europe are in America's interests. In the interconnected world we live in, prosperity in Europe only helps us here at home. Like everyone here, I always view what we are doing here through the lens of: How will this affect my constituents at home? How will it help them? And bringing an end to this conflict will allow us to return to issues that Idahoans care about: lowering prices, unleashing domestic energy, protecting public lands, and building a better future for the next generation. This legislation brings us much closer to that end and an end to this conflict. It will make a decisive impact that goes beyond what can be achieved on the battlefield. It will cut off the flow of cash that powers Putin's war machine. I have worked with my colleagues on this bill for more than a year, including my friend from New Hampshire; with Senator Blumenthal; and, of course, with Senator Lindsey Graham, who was very focused on this bill; and with the President. I have worked particularly to include sanctions in this bill against Russia's illicit shadow fleet that it uses to evade these sanctions and prop up its energy sector. These ships and the oil sales they facilitate directly fuel Russia's war machine and threaten American and European security. They enrich Russia, China, and Iran. This bill will go a long way to stopping that shadow fleet. I have also worked to include provisions taking aim at Russia's defense supply chains and a number of key energy projects, causing real pain to Putin and those who keep him in power. They will do that. These tools will give the United States and our allies the leverage we need to force Russia back to the negotiating table and end this conflict. I would be remiss if I didn't note that this bill was a culmination of many, many hours of work from my staff, Senator Shaheen's staff, Senator Blumenthal's staff, Senator Lindsey Graham's staff, all of them and other staffs worked on this. And we usually don't thank them here on the floor, but they really need thanks on this because this went on so long and was so technical. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't note that this bill was a passion project for our friend Lindsey Graham, and it is fitting that we will see it move through the Senate today. I hope to, once again, see a strong majority of my colleagues join us in this bill--in passing this bill right here and right now.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Senate

Arms Sales Notification

2026-08-06

“I want these arms sales notifications printed in the public record. Senators can read the details in our committee's office.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

“I want the Senate to review arms sales proposals. I want senators to be able to read classified details.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

“I want these arms sale notifications in the public record. The law says I should share them with the Senate. You can read the details in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's office.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Senate

Arms Sales Notification

2026-07-29

“I want to tell everyone about some arms sales. I'm having the details printed in the official record.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Senate

Sanctions (Executive Session)

2026-07-28

“I want this bill to pass. It will put sanctions on Russia and Iran. Russia is at war with Ukraine. It has been a long four years. Now Russia is losing and their economy is bad. We want the war to end. The bill will help stop Russia from selling oil. We must stop Russia's aggression in Europe. Peace in Europe is good for America. I want the President to sign this bill.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. President and fellow Senators, I come to the floor here to support the bill we are going to vote on here pretty quickly, and that is on a Russia and Iran sanctions bill. It is no secret that this thing has been worked on for a long, long time. It is also no secret that this is a bipartisan effort--I think you heard both sides speaking about this--and there is good reason for that. At nearly 4\1/2\ years, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has dragged on far too long. We all want to see this war end. Now, with Russia's forces taking heavy losses on the battlefield and its economy showing signs of strain, Putin's war machine is in crisis. It is time to ramp up the pressure on Russia and finally bring this conflict to an end. To help accomplish this, this bill would impose sanctions against two of our foremost adversaries at the current time-- Russia and Iran--as they deepen cooperation and coordination against U.S. interests. Along with many provisions in this final bill, I have worked to secure language that will target Russia's illicit shadow fleet ships that are used to prop up its energy sector and fund its war against Ukraine. This has been a very, very significant, ongoing problem. If you can stop them from shipping the oil, you can stop the money flow. This bill gives the President the tools and the leverage he needs to finally bring a lasting peace to Ukraine and work toward ending the fight in the Middle East. For many reasons, peace and stability in Europe are in America's interests. Russian aggression threatens this stability, and it can't be tolerated. I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation and send it to the President's desk as soon as possible. I yield the floor.

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Senate

Arms Sales Notification

2026-07-23

“I want to put some notifications in the public record. I'm following a rule that says I have to. These notifications are about arms sales. Congress gets to review these sales for 30 days. There's some classified stuff. If Senators want to see it, they can come to my committee's office.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

“I want these arms sales notifications printed in the public record. They should be available to all Senators.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Senate

Executive Reports of Committees

2026-07-22

“I want these nominations printed. They should be on the record. Senators should be able to read them.”

Senate

Arms Sales Notification

2026-07-22

“I am speaking to fulfill a procedural requirement. I want these arms sale notifications printed in the official record.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

“I want Congress to know about a proposed arms sale to Greece. The sale includes Switchblade 300 Block 20 Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile Systems. Congress has 30 days to review this sale. I am making this public so everyone knows.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to Section Greece--Switchblade 300 Block 20 Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

Senate

Arms Sales Notification

2026-07-14

“I want these arms sales notifications printed in the public record.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

“I want these arms sale notifications printed in the public record. I'm reminding everyone they can review them for 30 days. You can see the classified details in my committee's office.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

View on ourcommons.ca ↗

“I want these arms sale notifications printed in the public record. Other Senators can read the details in a particular office.”

Official Congressional Record

Mr. President, section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act requires that Congress receive prior notification of certain proposed arms sales as defined by that statute. Upon such notification, the Congress has 30 calendar days during which the sale may be reviewed. The provision stipulates that, in the Senate, the notification of proposed sales shall be sent to the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In keeping with the committee's intention to see that relevant information is still available to the full Senate, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the notifications that have been received. If the cover letter references a classified annex, then such an annex is available to all Senators in the office of the Foreign Relations Committee, room SD-423. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

View on ourcommons.ca ↗