[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 185 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              Impeachment

  Mr. President, I will be brief because I know I only have about 5 
minutes before we have to move on, but I want to turn to some brief 
comments about the courageous public servants whom we have watched and 
will continue to watch testify before the House Intelligence Committee 
both last week and again this week in the impeachment inquiry.
  We have heard from George Kent, Ambassador Taylor, Ambassador 
Yovanovitch, and today, Lieutenant Colonel Vindman and others, and my 
remarks go out to do justice to all those who will testify for their 
courage. I want to make some brief comments.
  These individuals and so many others are putting their careers and 
reputations on the line to testify publicly in defense of U.S. national 
security, moral leadership, and our democratic institutions. It is 
outrageous--and that is an understatement--that they have been 
subjected to partisan attacks--public servants who have sacrificed so 
much for our Nation. In the case of the diplomats, the diplomats have 
been attacked without any support or defense from Secretary of State 
Pompeo or other senior Department of State officials.
  We should all be inspired by these and countless other public 
servants who work to protect and serve the United States every day. 
When I reflect upon their service to our country and their integrity, I 
am reminded of just one line from ``America the Beautiful: ``O 
beautiful for patriot dream, That sees beyond the years.'' One of the 
dreams of a patriot, of course, is to see beyond our own circumstances, 
to dream about a better future by upholding our institutions and by 
serving the rule of law, our democracy, and our Constitution.
  I will skip over all of the information we already know about the 
service of these Ambassadors and just conclude with some comments about 
what happened today.
  Today, Lieutenant Colonel Vindman, before questioning by the 
committee Members, was going through his experience. I will go through 
it briefly: infantry officer, foreign area officer specializing in 
European and Eurasian political military affairs, political military 
affairs officer, serving on the National Security Council, and serving 
our country in combat and paying the price of being wounded in combat.
  At the end of his statement today, Lieutenant Colonel Vindman talked 
about his father. He said:

       His courageous decision [to come to this country] inspired 
     a deep sense of gratitude in my brothers and myself and 
     instilled in us a sense of duty and service. All three of us 
     served or are currently serving in the military. Our 
     collective military service is a special part of our family's 
     story in America.

  He went on to say:

       I am grateful for my father's brave act of hope 40 years 
     ago and for the privilege of being an American citizen and 
     public servant, where I can live free of fear for mine and my 
     family's safety.

  He contrasted that with what happens in Russia. I think it is a good 
reminder for all of us.
  Let me conclude with these thoughts. It is appalling to see 
individuals such as Lieutenant Colonel Vindman who dedicated their 
entire lives to the safety and security of the United States be smeared 
by the President and by his attack dogs who are more concerned about 
tweets and FOX News headlines than protecting our Nation's domestic 
foundations.
  Nothing the President has said or done in his nearly 3 years as 
President convinces me he has any understanding of public service. 
Looking beyond the current impeachment inquiry, this administration's 
blatant disregard and disrespect for career diplomats has had a grave 
impact on the State Department and our National Security Agency's 
ability to recruit the next generation of talented, committed public 
servants who promote U.S. interests abroad.
  I will not allow this administration's continuing assault on our 
diplomats to undermine, devalue, or dishonor their service or the 
service of future patriots who choose to make a career of serving and 
protecting our Nation.
  The Ambassadors and officials who testified last week, as well as 
today--others, including Lieutenant Colonel Vindman--have lived 
honorable and dutiful lives in service to the United States of America. 
We owe them our deepest gratitude and appreciation for their integrity 
and commitment to American values. These are real American heroes who, 
despite the President's bullying and harassment, have stood up in 
defense of our democratic institutions and the values the Founders 
fought for to guide our Nation.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.