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[Pages S5617-S5618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UKRAINE
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
[[Page S5618]]
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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