McCaul on House Floor: "A Vote Against This Bill Is a Vote for Putin and His Unholy Alliance."

September 16, 2026 Press Release McCaul gave closing remarks on the House floor in support of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 WASHINGTON – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul (R-Texas) delivered closing remarks on the House floor in support of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which he introduced in the House with Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and a bipartisan group of their colleagues. Image Click to watch Remarks as delivered: Let me just say, I was at the Ukraine embassy last night, and when I announced to them that the rule had passed to allow this bill to go to the floor for final passage, I got a standing ovation — standing ovation from the ambassador and all supporters of Ukraine. When I chaired the Foreign Affairs Committee, I often said, "Partisanship stops at the water’s edge." I still believe that. Mr. Meeks and I did pass the emergency wartime supplemental bill that gave Ukraine a lifeline to prevent occupation from Russia so they could advance in their drone technology. But I’m a bit disheartened by some of my colleagues’ remarks here today because they don’t reflect that principle. In fact, [their arguments are] all about the president; it's false arguments about expansion of tariff authorities, when [the tariffs are] actually limited to our adversaries buying energy from Russia. Their premise is: "We don't like the president, so let's just do nothing." Let's do nothing as we go into the wintertime, when we know the fighting will intensify. We don't have time to wait; Ukraine doesn't have time to wait. That's precisely why President Zelensky told me when I was in Ukraine right after Lindsey announced this legislation — and I've been working with him for a year on this — that "now is the time." There was excitement in the air. The EU commissioner supports this bill. Our allies support this bill. We are free to have disagreements — that’s democracy. But when we’re addressing our adversaries, we need to speak as one — with one voice, as one nation. They need to know that we’re not divided when it comes to our national security. The senate passed this bill 86-11 for God's sake. That is an overwhelming bipartisan support. Now, it’s time for the House to unite and do the same. Think about this. If this bill fails, the message that that would send to our adversaries — Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea — all of whom want to see this bill go down today, would be celebrated in the streets. Make no mistake: Putin is watching. President Xi is watching. The Ayatollah is watching. Kim Jong Un is watching. If the United States Congress can’t rally around such broadly supported legislation, what message would that send to them? This is a critical national security issue — but it also is a moral issue that requires moral courage. When we look back on this moment in time, I want us to be able to say that we used all the tools available to end this war. That we understood the threat. That we had the courage to do what was right — to cripple the Russian war machine and turn the tide toward peace. To be on the right side of history. In his final press conference, Senator Graham said, quote, “I have never been more optimistic than I am today that we have the formula to end this war.” This is the formula — this bill. I couldn’t agree more with the late Lindsey Graham, my friend and mentor. Let me be clear, in closing: A vote for this bill is a vote for Ukraine and the free world. A vote against this bill is a vote for Putin and his unholy alliance. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle [to vote yes]. You don't have many votes like this in the Congress that impact global, geopolitical conflicts. This bill will have a direct impact on the conflict threatening Eastern Europe and NATO itself and can bring this to an end to get Putin to the negotiating table. For as now, as Zelensky told me, he's ready for a ceasefire. He's ready to negotiate. It's Mr. Putin that will not call for a ceasefire. He will not negotiate. This bill will bring him to the table, and that's why, Mr. Speaker, it is so important at this time in history. Issues : Foreign Affairs