Ukraine

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, over the weekend, details emerged about President Trump's conduct with Ukrainian President Zelensky. Specifically, the President's phone calls with the Ukrainian leader were subject of an official whistleblower complaint by a member of the intelligence community. The intelligence community's inspector general, a Trump appointee, has determined that this whistleblower's complaint is credible and a matter of urgent concern, whose subject matter ``not only falls within the DNI's jurisdiction, but relates to one of the most significant and important of the DNI's responsibilities to the American people.''

By law, a whistleblower complaint labeled in this way must be transmitted to Congress--not shall be transmitted to Congress, must be. The Trump administration has not allowed that to happen. So far, in the face of this dire warning and the Trump administration's effort to cover it up, the Republican-led Senate has remained silent and submissive, shying away from this institution's constitutional duty to conduct oversight.

That is an obligation we have. It is not a yes or no. That is our job. The Republicans are in the majority in the Senate. With that majority comes the power to call hearings, issue subpoenas, and decide what legislation comes to the floor. The majority in the Senate, therefore, has an obligation to consider and act on the Senate's behalf, particularly when it comes to matters of oversight and matters of separation of powers. Yet, so far, we have no indication that Senate Republicans are planning to act. Most have yet to speak out.

The Republican Senate's ``see no evil, hear no evil'' attitude is unacceptable and must change. Again, this is an issue of solemn obligation. There is no wiggle room here--none. The obligation of the inspector general is to turn over the whistleblower information now that he has found it credible and urgent. And here, typically, our Senate Republicans and the Senate leader sit supinely in obeisance to Donald Trump's reckless lawbreaking.

This is a democracy, and we have heard nothing from our Republican colleagues about what the President has done, as abhorrent as that is, and the stonewalling of information. What is the President afraid of in this whistleblower report? We don't know; we can only speculate. But we do know there is an obligation for it to come to Congress.

So today I sent the Republican leader, Senator Mitch McConnell, a letter calling on him and the Republican chairs of the Senate relevant committees to fulfill their constitutional duties and immediately take the following actions:

One, convene hearings to determine exactly what prompted the whistleblower to file this urgent complaint. At a minimum, these hearings should include testimony from Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, Acting Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and President Trump's private attorney, Rudy Giuliani, among others.

Two, issue a subpoena to compel the delivery of the whistleblower complaint to Congress as required--required--by law.

Three, request the White House to release the transcript of President Trump's conversation with Ukrainian President Zelensky during which President Trump reportedly pressured the Government of Ukraine to investigate Vice President Biden and his family.

Four, identify the administration officials who directed that $341 million of security assistance to Ukraine be delayed, and request that all records related to this decision be turned over to Congress.

Five, insist that the Department of Justice provide any legal opinion or other guidance it has given regarding the administration's obligation to transmit the whistleblower complaint to Congress.

It is the Senate's duty to take this national security matter seriously and investigate now. Senate Republicans have the sole power and the overwhelming responsibility to see that it does. How long must we wait for our Republican colleagues to rise up to their responsibilities to the Constitution, to separation of powers, and to rule of law when President Trump brazenly violates that law? When are we going to hear the voices? It is unbelievable.

As President Trump erodes the very fabric of this democracy, our Republican colleagues--I believe out of fear--do nothing. That is not a profile in courage. That is not even what Senator after Senator, for generation after generation, regardless of party, has done. But we are obviously in a new era here where, on the Republican side, anything Donald Trump wants to do, he can get away with, whether or not it violates the law, violates our principles, violates the grand traditions of this democratic Republic.

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