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Senators Rally to Russia Sanctions Bill07/15 06:07
Sen. Lindsey Graham's pursuit of a Russia sanctions bill has taken on
renewed urgency after his death as colleagues look to pay tribute and build on
the progress he made in gaining the White House's support for the measure.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Lindsey Graham's pursuit of a Russia sanctions bill
has taken on renewed urgency after his death as colleagues look to pay tribute
and build on the progress he made in gaining the White House's support for the
measure.
Supporters of Ukraine have been working for more than a year to pass a bill
that would impose steep tariffs on goods from countries that continue to buy
Russian oil, gas and other exports. They unveiled a revised measure Tuesday
with the goal of depriving Russia of money it uses to fund its war against
Ukraine.
Some lawmakers worried the original bill was too broad and could harm the
economies of some of the U.S.'s strongest allies that have also helped Ukraine.
The White House wanted to ensure the president had adequate flexibility to
waive sanctions when it is the national interest to do so. The revised bill
attempts to address both concerns.
The final bill more narrowly applies the tariffs to the world's top five
purchasers of Russia oil or natural gas, according to a summary. China and
India are at the top of that list, sponsors said. It also dramatically reduces
the tariffs from a blanket 500% to up to 100%, and it provides exceptions for
countries that import less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and are
taking steps to reduce those imports.
The bill also includes sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior
Russian political and military leaders, and Russian financial institutions and
energy projects. It would also expand U.S. sanctions to target older, reflagged
oil tankers that Russia uses to circumvent existing U.S. sanctions on Russian
oil and energy revenues.
Graham said he was making progress with Trump
Graham and colleagues who had been working on the legislation issued a
statement Friday announcing that significant progress had been made in talks
with the Trump administration. The senator passed away late Saturday before the
revised bill could be unveiled.
Graham had just returned from Ukraine and discussed the sanctions bill with
President Donald Trump in a call shortly before his death.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who was working with Graham on the
legislation, said he would be in favor of naming the bill after Graham.
"It's part of his legacy," Blumenthal said.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called Monday on Senate Majority
Leader John Thune to bring the sanctions bill to the floor immediately "in
honor of Lindsey," saying "it will pass overwhelmingly and help our allies in
Ukraine."
Thune said he was "hopeful we can make that happen."
"It would certainly be an incredible legacy for him if, in fact, we can find
a path forward. It'll take Democrats and Republicans here in the Senate to do
that," Thune said on CNN.
The bill has support from more than two dozen senators so far and aides said
the list was growing. The House passed a much different bill last month that
included more than $1 billion in security and reconstruction aid for Ukraine as
well as making another $8 billion available for Ukraine's defense through loans.
Blumenthal said he spoke with Graham last week about the progress he had
made in talks with the White House.
"He was absolutely ecstatic. You know, I've never heard him quite as
exuberant."
Lawmakers want to act quickly
Graham traveled to Ukraine last week and offered the country reason to be
optimistic, telling reporters that sweeping, hard-hitting new economic
sanctions against Russia were finally within reach. He said he would be heading
back to Washington to meet with bipartisan leaders to advance the proposal.
Lawmakers said no one had done more to advance the sanctions bill than
Graham. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., said Graham was overjoyed when Trump gave the
nod to move forward.
"He did a lot of big things, but this one he believed would have the largest
impact, would make the biggest difference," Britt said.
Senators said the war has generated a heavy human and economic cost for both
nations, but Ukraine has momentum on its side.
"Unfortunately, if the Kremlin is able to fund its war machine through the
sale of oil and gas, it's going to be able to keep going, and that's what this
bill is going to do," said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. "It's going to stop
those purchases. It's going to make clear those purchases come with real costs."
It's unclear when the bill will come up for a vote in the Senate, but
Blumenthal said Thune has made clear he's ready to move "when we have the
votes."
"And I think we have the votes," Blumenthal said.
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