On the record · Updated October 18, 2026

Richard Blumenthal quotes

Democratic senator from Connecticut, co-drafter of the Graham Act

28 things Richard Blumenthal said, verbatim, from June 20, 2026 to October 17, 2026, each linked to where it ran. Grouped by the questions at issue, with who supported, disputed, or qualified each one.

Also appeared as: Blumenthal · Sen. Richard Blumenthal

20stories

28statements

Oct 17latest entry

Trump was right to waive the Russia sanctions and tariffs in the Graham Act.

Disputes Oct 17

“These waivers have nothing to do with our national security, and everything to do with sucking up to Vladimir Putin”

NBC News Trump waives the Russia sanctions he signed into law last month ›

Others on this question

Don Bacon Republican representative from Nebraska Disputes

“the president is prolonging the war, not ending it”

Donald Trump US president Supports

“I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States”

Kirill Dmitriev Russian presidential envoy Supports

“The Trump administration’s suspension of the Graham Act is an important and truly historic moment.”

Congress should give President Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that buy Russian energy.

Supports Sep 17

“If Donald Trump wants to break this law, he will be restrained by the courts, just as when he broke the law on tariffs previously,”

Fox News House passes Russia sanctions bill giving Trump power to impose 100% tariffs ›

Others on this question

Hakeem Jeffries House Minority Leader Disputes

“What this legislation will do is give Donald Trump, perhaps, unfettered authority to unleash tariffs on the American people,”

Michael McCaul Republican Representative, Texas Supports

“Tariffs are a powerful way to amplify the impact of sanctions. That's why they are the teeth of this bill.”

Richard Blumenthal on The Middle East3

As printed Jun 21

“More money goes to Iran, lifting of sanctions, no verification.”

Fox News ›

As printed Jun 20

“I am deeply concerned that we are giving Iran the benefit of hundreds of billions of dollars that can be spent on Hezbollah and other maligned proxies, as well as rebuilding its nuclear program,”

on Trump's Iran deal freeing funds for Hezbollah and Iran's nuclear program

Latest Political News on Fox News WATCH: Tuberville backs Trump’s Iran deal as Democrat blasts ‘surrender’ ›

As printed Jun 20

“I think it looks worse than the Obama deal right now,”

on Trump's new Iran deal compared unfavorably to the Obama-era agreement

Latest Political News on Fox News WATCH: Tuberville backs Trump’s Iran deal as Democrat blasts ‘surrender’ ›

All 171 people on the record on the Middle East ›

Richard Blumenthal on Ukraine & Russia7

As printed Oct 16

“Reports of Starlink failing in Ukraine are deeply alarming— potentially crippling air defense against Russia's murderous missiles & drones”

on reports of Starlink failing for Ukraine's military

Futurism Elon Musk Says It Was the Pentagon That Shut Down Starlink for the Ukrainian Military ›

As printed Aug 9

“This bill says to Vladimir Putin, ‘Your days of war are numbered,’”

One America News ›

As printed Aug 9

“deep ties Graham forged with Ukraine’s defense effort.”

One America News ›

As printed Aug 8

“Today we say to the people of Ukraine: You are not alone. And today we say to Vladimir Putin: You will not conquer Ukraine.”

on the Senate's new Russia sanctions bill as a message of support for Ukraine

PBS NewsHour Senate passes sweeping Russia sanctions bill negotiated by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham ›

As printed Aug 8

“’You are on the losing side. Better to come to the table now than sacrifice more lives, waste more money, crater your economy, destroy your standing in the world.'”

on the Senate's Russia sanctions package named for Sen. Lindsey Graham

One America News Network Senate approves Russian sanctions package ‘in honor of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’ ›

As printed Jul 31

“it sends a message to Putin: your days of war are numbered. You are on the losing side.”

Daily Wire ›

As printed Jul 29

“I know he was very passionate about this and I know that sanctions are one of the best tools we have for bringing wars to an end without having to commit any of our military,”

on the Senate passing new sanctions targeting Russia's war effort

Fox News Putin, Russia put on notice as Senate takes crucial step to grind down the Kremlin’s war machine ›

All 50 people on the record on ukraine & Russia ›

Richard Blumenthal on National security & surveillance5

As printed Aug 21

“widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues, deteriorating mental health, deck safety concerns, and disruptions in the mail system”

Antiwar.com USS George Washington Arrives in the Middle East ›

As printed Aug 21

“whether the Navy can sustain the operational tempo now being demanded of its carrier force.”

Antiwar.com USS George Washington Arrives in the Middle East ›

As printed Aug 15

“But they also raise a broader question: whether the Navy can sustain the operational tempo now being demanded of its carrier force”

BBC News US aircraft carrier on way to relieve USS Lincoln after issues reported aboard ›

As printed Aug 14

“There have been widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues, deteriorating mental health, deck safety concerns, and disruptions in the mail system, which have caused many care packages in route to the ship to be lost in transit for months,”

on supply shortages and mail disruptions aboard the aircraft carrier

Antiwar.com US Sending Fresh Aircraft Carrier to the Middle East Amid Reports of Multiple Sailors Attempting to Jump Overboard ›

As printed Jul 15

“But I wouldn’t object to an accelerated vote.”

on Senate hearing for Trump's intelligence agency pick after a weekslong delay

ABC News: Politics Senate to hold hearing for Trump's pick to head intelligence agencies after weekslong delay ›

All 83 people on the record on national security & surveillance ›

Richard Blumenthal on Immigration & the border2

As printed Aug 10

“This report is appalling and shows the unbelievable cruelty at the center of the Trump immigration agenda,”

on a report on immigration actions against military families

Associated Press Democrats investigating immigration efforts against military families ›

As printed Jul 23

“His courage and faith are a lesson to all of us on this 250th national birthday. I look forward to welcoming him home. ICE seizing and detaining him was cruel and unconscionable. He was never a flight risk, or a danger to anyone,”

Fox News Illegal immigrant top Dem fought to free turns up on voter rolls: 'mockery of our immigration laws' ›

All 90 people on the record on immigration & the border ›

Richard Blumenthal on Healthcare & public health1

As printed Jul 30

“This attempt to rebrand one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history is a shortsighted act of desperation that will leave us less prepared for the next pandemic.”

on criticism of efforts to rebrand the Covid pandemic response

NBC News Anthony Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment right not to testify at Covid hearing ›

All 63 people on the record on healthcare & public health ›

Richard Blumenthal on Corruption & scandal4

As printed Jul 22

“We will use that subpoena power if we are fortunate enough to have it next year,”

on Democrats using subpoena power if they retake power next year

CBS News Democratic lawmakers slam Trump "vanity projects" in shadow hearing ›

As printed Jun 25

“have been marked by blatant corruption, a shocking lack of transparency, disregard for legal requirements and apparent incompetence,”

Associated Press Lawmakers demand answers as turmoil over Reflecting Pool repair continues ›

As printed Jun 25

“will now celebrate America’s 250th birthday with an empty reflecting pool, a testament to incompetence and corruption,”

on the Reflecting Pool staying empty for America's 250th birthday

Associated Press Lawmakers demand answers as turmoil over Reflecting Pool repair continues ›

On the claim ledger Jun 25 Open

“Rushed no-bid contracts given to unqualified vendors with previous relationships to the president resulted in a reflecting pool more covered with algae than before, with freshly painted chunks of paint peeling from the bottom to float on the pool's surface”

Associated Press Trump Launches America 250 Amid Reflecting Pool Drama ›

All 93 people on the record on corruption & scandal ›

Richard Blumenthal on Courts & the law1

As printed Aug 6

“If a judicial nominee cannot answer that basic question, refuses to speak the truth to power now, there is no guarantee that they will be independent on the bench and provide real justice to the American people,”

NPR Judge reluctantly dismisses case against Oath Keepers militia group over Jan. 6 riot ›

All 146 people on the record on courts & the law ›

Richard Blumenthal on Religion & faith2

As printed Aug 7

“Democrats have no intention of indulging this political creepshow, particularly after the recent violence targeting places of faith,”

The Algemeiner Cruz Sounds Alarm on Muslim Brotherhood Network as Democrats Boycott Hearing ›

As printed Aug 7

“could well be used as an anti-Muslim, Islamophobia kind of show trial.”

on fears the Muslim Brotherhood hearing could unfairly target Muslims

The Algemeiner Cruz Sounds Alarm on Muslim Brotherhood Network as Democrats Boycott Hearing ›

All 58 people on the record on religion & faith ›

Richard Blumenthal on Other topics1

As printed Jul 16

“Senator Graham and I were told, very authoritatively, literally just a couple of hours before his death, that the White House was OK with this,”

on the White House backing Graham's final legislative effort shortly before his death

Latest Political News on Fox News 'A big effing deal': Graham's final mission moves forward after his death ›

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