I am betting--because I never want to bet against America--that America will be on your side, thick or thin.
Richard Blumenthal
The Public Record
Richard Blumenthal is an American lawyer and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Connecticut since 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, Blumenthal has focused on issues such as consumer protection, healthcare, and veterans' affairs during his tenure. He previously served as the Attorney General of Connecticut from 1991 to 2011, where he gained recognition for his advocacy on behalf of consumers and his efforts to hold corporations accountable. Blumenthal has been an active voice in the Senate, participating in various committees and addressing key national issues.
In other words, their interest was public image, sportswashing, cleansing their reputation. Correct?
Will you commit today, Mr. Price, that the PGA Tour will not punish any members who criticize the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or human rights anywhere, regardless of this new relationship with PIF?
We will continue this inquiry because I think uncovering more of the facts and shining a spotlight on what is really happening here is in the national interest and part of our obligation.
But most corporations trust their boards of directors. In fact, they are intimately involved.
I have the deepest sympathy for the families of 9/11 and support their efforts of obtaining information currently being withheld by the United States and Saudi governments.
I would like to have a commitment from both of you that the final agreement will not prevent players or PGA Tour executives from commenting on or criticizing actions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
I would argue that legally, as well as morally, they have a duty to keep their boards of directors informed.
I will continue to support the PGA Tour. Just make no mistake--as I said before, America is on your side.
You still have the choice to stand up against sportswashing, against the Saudi monarchy, against the hundreds of billions of dollars, and maybe a lot more that the Saudis will throw at you and stand up for America because America is going…
But there is something that stinks about this path that you are on right now because it is a surrender, and it is all about the money, and that is the reason for the backlash that you have seen.
It is about hypocrisy, how vast sums of money can induce individuals and institutions to betray their own values.
I am betting--because I never want to bet against America--that America will be on your side, thick or thin.
If we are going to be selling out to countries that can throw around hundreds of billions of dollars, we are going to lose, not just financially.
Again, I can only emphasize to you, Mr. Price, that your players, like Tiger Woods, gave up hundreds of millions of dollars. They stood strong. I hope the PGA Tour will as well.
The PGA Tour has a major impact on our economy, our way of life, our image in this country, our self-image, and our image abroad.
But will you commit that it will not have it, that you will not agree to it if it does?