Senators strike comprehensive deal to increase Russia sanctions

[DonViejo]

Source: The Washington Post


By Karoun Demirjian June 12 at 11:11 PM

Senators have struck a deal to put a comprehensive Russia sanctions bill on the floor this week, according to those negotiating the legislation.

The measure, which will be attached to a bill to stiffen Iran sanctions that is under consideration, incorporates proposals to codify existing Russia sanctions, introduce punitive measures against Moscow in light of Russia’s aggressive activities in Ukraine, introduce measures addressing Syria and the realm of cyberhacking, and give Congress the power to review efforts by the administration to scale back sanctions against Russia before they can go through.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) filed the amendment late Monday, setting up a vote for later this week, after extensive talks with Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Banking Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), the Foreign Relations Committee’s ranking Democrat, Benjamin L. Cardin (Md.), Banking Committee ranking Democrat Sherrod Brown (Ohio) and vocal Russia critics John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) were also involved in various stages of the discussion. “This is a very comprehensive piece of legislation,” Corker said Monday night after the measures were introduced. “It really touches all the components.”

Various senators involved in the discussions had filed three different bills to increase sanctions against Russia over its involvement in the wars in Ukraine and Syria, as well as over allegations that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections. Some proposed bills also included measures to give Congress the power to block the president from easing up on sanctions against Russia and to better counter Russian propaganda in the United States and Europe.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/senators-strike-comprehensive-deal-to-increase-russia-sanctions/2017/06/12/39c1ffbe-4fe0-11e7-be25-3a519335381c_story.html

[beachbum bob]

1. whats the likelihood of a Trump veto?

will be interesting

[Doug the Dem]

2. I hope they have a Two-Thirds Majority

You know what I mean.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Speaketh with forked tongue

a slap on the wrist for public consumption

[Ligyron]

4. But they're throwing in increased sanctions on Iran as part of this?

Wonder if that's a good idea or an attempt to screw with the Iran nuclear deal.

[Shell_Seas]

5. Any word from the White House on this?