House Speaker Mike Johnson said something this week that many of us in the veteran and military community have been saying for years — tough sanctions on Russia are long overdue. He spoke out during an interview with CBS News, making it clear that it’s time for the United States to hold Russia accountable for its actions. And let me tell you, he’s right.
For far too long, Russia has been playing games on the world stage without facing real consequences. They’ve invaded Ukraine, threatened NATO allies, and messed with our energy security and cyber systems. Yet, Washington has dragged its feet when it comes to putting real pressure on Putin and his cronies.
Speaker Johnson is backing efforts by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania. These two lawmakers are trying to add a new sanctions package to a bigger piece of legislation. That legislation is focused on avoiding a government shutdown, which is coming up in about two weeks. By attaching the sanctions to the funding bill, they’re increasing the chances of getting it passed quickly. That’s smart politics and smart strategy.
Now, I’ve worn the uniform and spent years watching how global threats develop. Let me be clear — sanctions are not a silver bullet. But they are a powerful tool. They hit bad actors like Putin where it hurts: in the wallet. Sanctions can freeze bank accounts, block trade, and stop access to critical technology. When used right, they can weaken an enemy’s ability to fund war and aggression.
Russia’s government runs on oil money and corruption. Their oligarchs—the billionaire elites loyal to Putin—live large while regular Russians suffer. Targeted sanctions would make life harder for those elites and disrupt the cash flow going into Russia’s military machine. That’s a win for every freedom-loving nation.
Some folks might ask, “Why now?” The answer is simple—because we’ve waited too long already. The war in Ukraine has dragged on for more than two years. Thousands are dead, cities destroyed, and Russia continues to dig in. While our military isn’t officially in the fight, we are involved. We’ve sent weapons, aid, and training. We’ve stood by our allies. But standing by isn’t enough anymore.
The Biden-era delays and weak responses gave Russia room to breathe. But now, with real leadership back in the White House and Speaker Johnson helping lead the charge in Congress, we have a chance to change course. The time to act is now.
This isn’t just about Ukraine. This is about sending a clear message. When a dictator steps out of line, the United States will not sit quietly. We will defend freedom, protect our allies, and use every tool at our disposal—including sanctions.
From a military perspective, economic warfare can be just as important as boots on the ground. When we cut off funding, we stop the enemy from buying weapons, paying soldiers, and spreading propaganda. Sanctions can slow down their war machine without firing a single shot. That’s a win.
Speaker Johnson understands that. So do Senators like Lindsey Graham, who’s never been afraid to call out America’s enemies. This kind of leadership matters, and it’s great to see Congress finally moving in the right direction.
To my fellow veterans and patriots—this is what strong, America-first leadership looks like. It’s about time Washington stood up to bullies like Putin instead of playing nice. We’ve got the tools. We’ve got the will. And with Speaker Johnson stepping up, we’ve got the leadership to get it done.
Sanctions won’t fix everything overnight. But they’re a step in the right direction. And for those of us who wore the flag on our shoulder, that means something. It means we’re still fighting for what’s right—just on a different battlefield.
