Senate Support for Russia Sanctions Bill Grows
A bill that would sanction Russia and its supporters if Moscow rejects peace talks with Ukraine had gained the support of about 80 senators, or four-fifths of the Senate, as of May 22.
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That is up from 50 senators in early April, when Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., introduced the legislation (see 2504020003).
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., one of the bill’s co-sponsors, said in a floor speech May 20 that the Senate is prepared to “act decisively” if Russia doesn’t take serious steps toward ending the war. “Russia faces a stark choice: peace or crippling sanctions,” he said.
In addition to sanctions, the bill would impose a 500% tariff on imported goods from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products. “Energy is the cash cow of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s war machine," Barrasso said. "Cut it off, and Russia cannot continue to fight. Russia’s biggest customer is Communist China. The next is India. They will be hit hard."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., another co-sponsor of the bill, issued a similar warning May 22. “If Russia is not willing to engage in serious diplomacy, the Senate will work with the Trump administration to consider additional sanctions to force Putin to start negotiating," Thune said on the Senate floor.
Meanwhile, the House version of the bill, introduced by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., has also gained support but at a slower pace. It had more than 30 co-sponsors as of May 22.