Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., has been discussing the bipartisan effort to pass a significant Russia sanctions bill aimed at putting more pressure on Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war. McCormick described President Donald Trump’s speech at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit on ‘Fox & Friends.’
A former Vice President, Mike Pence, is urging Congress to rename Sen. Lindsey Graham’s Russia sanctions legislation after the late South Carolina Republican. He expressed to Fox News Digital that there would be no more fitting tribute to one of the Senate’s prominent national security figures.
In an exclusive interview, Pence emphasized that Graham’s long-standing push for stringent sanctions on Russia should be both his legislative legacy and a permanent sign of his steadfast support for Ukraine and the allies of the United States. He sees this as a rare opportunity to honor Graham by renaming the bipartisan sanctions package that Graham advocated for many years and sending it to President Donald Trump with the senator’s name linked to it.
Pence noted that Graham consistently recognized Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as one of the paramount geopolitical challenges of the time, believing that economic pressure was key to bringing Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiations. He noted that Graham never underestimated the threat posed by Putin.
The former vice president, who has visited Ukraine twice since the conflict began, remarked that Graham saw Ukraine as a ‘frontier of freedom’ and consistently urged both Republican and Democratic administrations to stand resolutely with U.S. allies.
Pence highlighted Graham’s advocacy for Israel, Ukraine, and a stronger NATO alliance throughout his career. He recalled Graham’s vital role in motivating NATO allies to boost defense spending during the Trump administration.
Pence shared a personal memory of his last interaction with Graham at an airport terminal. Graham showed interest in Pence’s family but soon switched to discussing the Ukraine sanctions. Graham emphasized the importance of putting pressure on Russia, pointing to a Wall Street Journal article backing stronger measures.
Pence remembered, ‘He put his finger in my chest and said, ‘You just stay on this to bring Putin to the table.” The meeting concluded with a handshake and a hug.
Pence affirmed that such moments capture Graham’s essence — a deep dedication to policy with a personal touch. He noted Graham’s unwavering stance on military support, Israel, the protection of unborn life, and confronting authoritarian regimes.
Pence expressed grief over Graham’s death and hopes lawmakers complete the bipartisan Russia sanctions package, considering it a fitting tribute to Graham’s life’s work.
Brittany Miller, the writer, covers breaking news for Fox News Digital and graduated from Syracuse University in 2023.