Republicans Press Thune to Advance 62-Sponsor Russia Sanctions Bill as Trump Backs It
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 21
Republicans Press Thune to Advance 62-Sponsor Russia Sanctions Bill as Trump Backs It
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 21
Summary
Sen. John Kennedy said Republicans want John Thune to bring the revived Russia sanctions bill to the floor as soon as next week, arguing the votes are already there after the Trump administration signed on.
That urgency reflects a fragile compromise over which countries would face secondary sanctions for aiding Russia’s war effort; Kennedy said delay invites more demands to expand the list and could make passage harder.
Thune, a co-sponsor, has told lawmakers he wants to move the measure but needs a time agreement to avoid a slow floor process involving a motion to proceed and cloture, according to Kennedy and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
Kennedy said the bill had effectively been waiting 1.5 years for Trump’s approval and credited Lindsey Graham with helping win the president over, giving backers a clearer path to push the measure toward Trump’s desk.