Bush Center Hosts Senators Lankford and Hutchison

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison told audience members at the George W. Bush Presidential Center that America needs to rebuild its citizenship and focus on teaching civics so there will be no question of doing what’s right in serving as a reliable ally while being a formidable enemy.

Moderated by Bush Institute Executive Director David J. Kramer, a conversation with U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) on March 18 included topics surrounding geopolitical hotspots and how the U.S. can best navigate today’s foreign policy challenges.

The two senators discussed suitable application of sanctions, the importance of valuing allies and presenting a united front to deter powerful adversaries, and the need for on-going dialogue.

“We cut off, sanctioned, when Russia invaded Ukraine … every American company left Russia, and it was very painful for them to be able to depart. If China invades Taiwan and that same model occurs, that’s very different than American companies leaving Russia – it is American companies having to leave China in a day,” Lankford said.

“The Deterrent,” a bill that lays the groundwork for how America would potentially withdraw economically and expeditiously if China invades Taiwan is being devised, said Lankford, to deter the Chinese government. “[The bill] would serve as a signal to every American company, if this occurs, you need to have a process to be able to get out quickly,” he said.

Echoing the Oklahoma senator’s sentiments, former Senator Hutchison stressed the importance of the U.S. reinforcing ties with its NATO allies. As former NATO ambassador, Hutchison recently spent a week at a foreign conference with European business leaders. “Our allies are not sure where we are and where we’re going,” she said, adding that she recommends viewing the big picture of the U.S. strategic review that named China as the largest potential adversary of the U.S.

“[China] must be deterred to assure that it is too expensive for [them], and would harm them internally, to continue the march with their build-up in military, tech, space, and nuclear capability,” the former Texas senator said.

The discussion wrapped with Senator Lankford relaying confidence in the swinging of the pendulum toward civilized discourse and ended his remarks with a challenge for citizens to continue to talk about how democracy works best through the engagement of its people.

Former Senator Hutchison also concluded with remarks of hope. “I am optimistic. I think we will conquer this malaise that we have seen,” Hutchison said, adding that our nation should continue to focus on “the spirit of America that you see in the heartland, that you see in Texas, you see in especially the non-urban areas, where the common sense just comes through.”

The Bush Center will host several engagements throughout the spring. It’s next one, Sunday in the Park (sold-out event), will feature Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush reading their new picture book, I Loved You First, on March 30, at the scenic Carolyn and David Miller Amphitheater, located within the Laura W. Bush Native Texas Park.

Former NFL player and #1 New York Times bestselling author, Emmanuel Acho, will join the Bush Center’s event line up on April 24 at 7 p.m. Moderated by Bush Center President and CEO Ken Hersh, Acho will share his insights on how to have difficult conversations, the power of mindset in shaping our future, and strategies for driving personal and collective transformation.

On May 8 at 6:30 p.m., the Seventh Annual Laura Bush Book Club will feature Amor Towles, one of Mrs. Bush’s favorite authors. Towles’ novels Rules of Civility, A Gentleman in Moscow, and The Lincoln Highway, and his collection of shorter fiction Table for Two have all been New York Times bestsellers. The event will be held at Highland Park United Methodist Church’s Wesley Hall.