Jerry Moran

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, today--this afternoon--the Senate took a really important step to strengthen our national security and pay a final tribute to our colleague Lindsey Graham, the Senator from South Carolina. This step has been a long time coming.

But by an overwhelming passage of the Lindsay O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, the Senate sent a clear message to our adversaries: There will be consequences for those who finance terrorism and those who wage an unprovoked war.

Over the past several weeks, the administration has increased economic pressures on Russia and on Iran, making clear that the United States will not reward aggression. This legislation builds upon those efforts by giving the President stronger tools to ensure these sanctions remain effective and much more difficult to evade.

Through enforcing sanctions on the top five purchasers of Russian crude oil, this proposal aims to address a vital component of the war many have overlooked: Russia's vulnerability lies not only on the battlefield but also on its dependence on energy revenue.

If we allow the Kremlin to continue selling billions of dollars of oil and natural gas around the world, we allow Putin to continue unhindered in building advanced weaponry, paying Russian soldiers, and prolonging the conflict.

Russia's ability to continue this war depends upon its ability to generate revenue. By increasing economic pressures now, we make it more difficult for Russia to sustain its war efforts.

This legislation represents a significant attempt to do just that. Following years of work between Congress, the administration, and our allies, this proposal would finally strike at the financial engine driving Russia's war machine without increasing the global price of oil.

This proposal also recognizes an important reality: Sanctioning Russia alone is no longer enough. Importantly, the bill would extend and strengthen sanctions authorities related to Iran, recognizing the growing partnership between Moscow and Tehran. Russia and Iran are no longer acting independently. Iranian drones have terrorized Ukrainian cities. Russia has deepened its military cooperation with Tehran while providing political and strategic support to the Iranian regime. Both governments seek to undermine American interests, threaten our allies, and weaken international order that has helped preserve peace for generations.

The passage of this legislation will not, by itself, end the war in Ukraine or change Iran's behavior, but it will make both regimes pay a far higher price for choosing aggression over peace.

The Senate has now done its part. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this legislation and send it to the President's desk. This bill must be swiftly signed into law and implemented in order to hold Russia and those supporting its unjust and unjustifiable war accountable.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Mr. President, I understand there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading.

I now ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I object to my own request.