On the recordDecember 20, 2022
Madam President, I first want to thank Senator Portman for his incredible work on Ukraine. He has given dozens and dozens of talks on this floor, but what is equally important is all the work he has done behind the scenes, working across the aisle, making sure the funding is there for the weapons, and meeting directly with President Zelenskyy. I just want to thank him for his incredible leadership, and we will continue his work. I have a feeling he will be calling us from Ohio or wherever he is to make sure we are doing it right. I thank him for that. Democracy Madam President, we are here today to speak about democracy. Of course, that is on the line in Ukraine. President Zelenskyy reminds us about it every day when he says these simple words: ``We are here.'' That is what he said the day of the Russian invasion. He went to the street corner and said, ``We are here.'' That is what we are here to say today, is that there are people who are carrying the torch for democracy in our own country. I am glad to be joined with my colleague today, Senator Whitehouse, who has been such a leader when it comes to the DISCLOSE Act and that part of our democracy, as well as voting, to make sure we keep our democracy and make the case that our democracy does not work if we do not have campaign finance and things that are transparent and know where that money is coming from, because it drowns out the voices of everyday people. Senator King is with us today on the floor.…





