Transcript: Rep. Mike Turner on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," July 12, 2026
The following is the transcript of an interview with Republican Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on July 12, 2026.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And we're joined now by Ohio Republican Congressman Mike Turner. It is good to have you here, Congressman. I know you are a friend to Ukraine. Senator Graham certainly was. As I mentioned, he was so excited about finally getting to move this sanctions and tariffs bill. Do you think that this will go forward without a champion like him behind it?
REPRESENTATIVE MIKE TURNER: Well, let's hope. Let's hope, as you had- had indicated, that- that- that is one of the legacies that- that the Senate will move his bill. You know, we were- I was at the NATO summit with Lindsey Graham and another senator last- last week, Senator Shaheen, Coons, Durbin, Rounds, and as we met with Zelenskyy, Lindsey Graham was making the point of the need for this sanctions bill that has passed the House and that I've co-sponsored, and that- that should pass the Senate, that Lindsey has been such a champion for. It was his- it was his bill. You know, what's so sad about losing Lindsey is that, you know, in this debate now that we have of America first- you can be America first and still understand that it doesn't have to be America alone. That, you know, allies want America's voice. America's voice is important. America needs to stand for- for freedom and- and democracy and liberty. And that's what they saw in the voice of- of Lindsey Graham. You know, in McCain's voice and Reagan's voice, and what- what they saw in Lindsey was someone who was willing to stand up and say, "You're not alone. America is with you." You know, we're not going to do it for you. We're not going to- you know come in and decide for you. But- but you're not going to be alone. And- and he was that voice with Ukraine, having just gone to Ukraine, saying we're- we're going to be with you, and this bill would be an important symbolism to say 'we're going to be with Ukraine.' And I certainly hope the Senate moves it this week, and we can put it on the president's desk this week. As you had said earlier, he had been in touch with you and said he believed he had movement from the White House for that bill. We should pass this bill, put it on the president's desk.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you know if Republican leadership has considered that at all at this point?
REP. TURNER: --I know that, you know, we certainly have the news where they had just said upon our--
REP. TURNER: --return from the NATO summit that they believed--