Like so many, I’m deeply saddened by the passing of my friend of 25 years, Lindsey Graham.
Lindsey devoted his life to serving our country with conviction, courage, and an unwavering sense of duty. But, importantly, the man behind the public figure was deeply devoted to his family, a kind and generous friend and blessed with a great sense of humor, punctuated by a sharp wit.
While his time on earth has been cut short, he will be remembered by history as a consequential and impactful leader with an enormous heart for America.
Rest in peace, my friend. Thank you for a lifetime of service. May God comfort those who love you and may He grant you eternal peace.
Yesterday I had the honor to open the work of the 18th Conference of the Defense Ministers of the Americas. The conference itself will be held in America in 2028. But that conference will be about measuring results of our critical work with our Hemispheric partners. That important work begins now. 1/
At 7:15 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces blatantly attacked M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. A civilian crew member is missing and the vessel is unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and significant engineroom damage.
Iran was provided yet another opportunity to demonstrate adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding after being held accountable for earlier attacks on commercial vessels but has again failed.
In response, the United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait. The strikes are being carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief.
Through whatever means—nuking the Zombie Filibuster, enforcing the Talking Filibuster, a creative use of budget reconciliation, or otherwise—the Senate MUST pass the SAVE AMERICA Act.
We’ve crossed the point of no return.
Failure is not an option.
Reconciliation 3.0 is the perfect opportunity for Republicans to keep up the momentum.
We’ve already passed tax cuts, a housing bill, and funded DHS. Now it’s time to pass the SAVE America Act and fully fund our national defense.
U.S. Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway. The U.S. strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire.