Trump-Loyal Senators Make Russian Oligarch's Day

[ehrnst]

In the latest, alarming, sign of Russia’s influence over not just President Trump but the GOP more broadly, Senate Republicans went to bat Wednesday for sanctioned oligarch Oleg Deripaska, aka “Putin’s favourite industrialist,” who had loaned $10 million to Trump’s now-jailed former campaign manager Paul Manafort.
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The effort to keep the sanctions in place required 60 votes to succeed, and fell just short Wednesday when 42 Republicans voted to lift them, toeing the Trump line. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) whipped GOP nay votes, calling the effort a “Democratic stunt.” Those backing Trump included onetime Russia hawks Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

“42 Republican senators chose today to stand with Vladimir Putin and his cronies rather than the American people,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted after the vote, arguing it sent “an unfortunate signal to Putin that he can continue to mess around and manipulate the U.S. without serious repercussions.”

Democrats were joined in their motion by 11 Republicans, including Susan Collins (R-ME) who tweeted that “easing the sanctions sends the wrong message to Russia.” Marco Rubio (R-FL) objected that Mnuchin’s assurances were empty: “Deripaska loses stock” in his companies, Rubio tweeted, “but not control.” (Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders missed the vote.)


https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/republican-sanctions-russia-780221/

[NurseJackie]

1. Silence equals approval.

Make of that what you will, but it's true.

[ehrnst]

3. Especially one thwarting an international Russian oligarch.

Last edited Thu Jan 17, 2019, 11:37 AM - Edit history (2)

I think that any (Democratic) Senator who skipped a chance to limit the power of the GOP to support such a corrupt billionaire would be automatically called "GOP lite" suspected of nefarious, "corporatist" and motives by many who seem to want to give this a pass.

Especially if that (Democratic) Senator's voting record revealed a pattern of shielding Russia from economic sanctions, because context and legislative nuance be DAMNED!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

2. 42 Russiapublicans rush to save Moscow Mitch

[Achilleaze]

4. The republican sell-out of America is epic evil

...and they will be remembered in history for their betrayal of the USA.