Following the unexpected passing of GOP Senator Lindsey Graham, a bipartisan bill imposing sanctions on Russia that he supported has gained renewed traction. However, the legislation is now encountering obstacles, with certain Democrats voicing worries that it may grant excessive authority to President Donald Trump.
With the midterm elections approaching and critical tasks like government funding still pending, any senator who seeks to postpone the bill’s progress risks preventing it from being introduced altogether.
On Wednesday, Republican Senator John Kennedy expressed to USdaily his concerns that the Senate might spend its final two weeks before the August recess focused on a government funding bill, which could ultimately fail, thus losing the chance to advance other legislative measures during that period.
“We are wasting our opportunity to advance the Graham sanctions bill while we still have the votes, and we might also be squandering our chance to pass the cryptocurrency bill, as we’ll be dedicating all our time to the continuing resolution,” he remarked. “Some colleagues are more optimistic than I am. From my perspective, the next two and a half weeks will revolve solely around the continuing resolution.”
Graham’s death occurred shortly after he announced that an agreement had been reached with the Trump administration to advance the bill. Following his passing, advocates of the legislation stated that passing it swiftly would serve as a meaningful tribute to his legacy.
Nonetheless, some Senate Democrats are expressing apprehension that the carefully crafted bill could give the administration too much authority over tariffs, with Senator Elizabeth Warren suggesting she might consider delaying its debate in the Senate. Any senator has the power to impede the quick consideration of legislation, which can lead to prolonged discussions and procedural votes.
After leaving a hearing featuring US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Warren told USdaily, “For the past year and a half, I have been advocating for tougher sanctions against Russia. This is extremely important. However, Donald Trump has demonstrated how he will utilize broad tariff authority. In fact, he has shown what he can do even without that authority.”
“It is crucial that we do not create a pathway for Donald Trump to exploit tariffs further. That is my concern. I hope we can amend this bill,” she added.
When asked if she would impede the bill’s progress should her desired changes not be implemented, Warren responded, “I want to see this bill improved. I believe it is essential.”
The sanctions legislation seeks to enforce mandatory penalties on Russian leadership, including President Vladimir Putin, along with oligarchs, state-run enterprises, and foreign entities that aid Russia’s defense industrial sector.
Additionally, it proposes imposing tariffs of up to 100% on the top five nations, including China and India, that import Russian crude oil and natural gas, with Greer responsible for determining the final tariff rates. An exemption is provided for countries importing less than 15% of Russia’s total natural gas exports who are actively working to reduce their dependency on Russian natural gas.
Initially, the proposal included minimum tariffs set at 500% with limited exceptions. However, after more than 15 months of discussions, negotiators from the administration and Congress arrived at a lower tariff figure but granted execution authority to Greer instead of the president directly.
Senator Mark Warner also expressed his apprehensions regarding the administration’s tariff authority within the revised proposal.
“I am in favor of sanctions against Russia, but I have refrained from co-sponsoring the bill until I obtain more clarity on that matter,” stated Warner. “It’s remarkable how challenging it has been to get a clear, concise answer on this.”
Senator Ron Wyden, the leading Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee and one of the few senators yet to endorse any version of the sanctions package, voiced similar concerns regarding the potential increase in the administration’s tariff powers.
“This could establish a very troubling precedent. Donald Trump has specific policy goals regarding tariffs, and I doubt he would adhere to the sanctions while fully supporting tariffs, which would set a perilous standard,” Wyden remarked to USdaily. “If anyone is concerned about the genuine issues facing the Ukrainians, I completely support that. Nevertheless, I believe this is fundamentally an attempt to gain more leverage over tariffs.”
In contrast, Senator Richard Blumenthal, a primary Democratic co-sponsor of the legislation, contended that significant measures have been implemented to limit the additional tariff powers that the bill would confer upon the administration, highlighting that the president has shown a willingness to bypass Congress regarding trade policy in any case.
“The authority is narrowly defined and limited. It applies strictly to the five largest producers of Russian oil and gas based on metrics set by the US trade representative. All authorities outlined are explicitly defined, and the president has already demonstrated that he can interpret his current powers broadly and potentially inappropriately,” Blumenthal explained.
“The additional authority is the result of extensive, at times contentious negotiations to set strict boundaries and safeguards. While I acknowledge and respect the concerns regarding the potential misuse of tariff authority in general, this bill does not significantly alter that risk,” he added.
When asked if he was worried that his Democratic peers could hinder or obstruct the package, Blumenthal responded, “There are certainly a few senators who have voiced their hesitations about it.” He mentioned that discussions are ongoing regarding when a vote might take place. “I’m not certain what the negotiations have yielded regarding the timing. However, I do know there are continued discussions about the order of steps and whether a time agreement will be established.”
GOP Senator Katie Britt, who Blumenthal noted has taken on a role in guiding the proposal following Graham’s passing, stated that supporters of the bill are “working hard” to ensure its passage. “I appreciate my colleagues from both parties for consistently seeking a way forward. We recognize that it is crucial to hold Putin accountable and to utilize economic pressure to bring him to negotiations and ultimately achieve the peace that everyone desires.”
