When Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced last week that she wouldn’t be seeking a fourth term, the New Hampshire Democrat said “while I am not seeking reelection, believe me, I am not retiring.”
In her remaining 21 months in office, Shaheen may have no greater challenge than the one she’s about to take on.
News: A bipartisan group of senators — led in part by Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee — is crafting a sanctions package aimed at maximizing Ukraine’s leverage amid the ongoing U.S.-Russia negotiations.
The effort is still in its early stages and could potentially include separate proposals from Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) which would trigger sanctions if Russia violates any diplomatic agreement.
But the broader effort is intended to safeguard and strengthen the Russia sanctions package that Congress passed overwhelmingly in 2017, the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). President Donald Trump was essentially forced to sign the measure into law given that it passed the Senate 98-2 and the House 419-3.
“I want to do everything I can to support Ukraine in this war, to try to ensure that they’re in the best position possible for any negotiations, and try to do what I can to hold [Vladimir] Putin accountable,” Shaheen said in an interview last week after announcing her retirement.
Crucially, this would also give Congress a say amid bipartisan concerns over potential U.S. concessions to Russia. Shoring up sanctions that already passed with huge majorities — in addition to codifying those imposed via executive order after the invasion — would make it more difficult for Trump to lift sanctions on Russia.
To be sure, this is no small feat. The Trump administration is loath to embrace anything that could disrupt their ongoing diplomatic talks with Moscow over ending the Ukraine war. And Republicans are generally sensitive about even the appearance of undercutting Trump.
The senators, however, see it as a way for Congress to give the Trump administration additional tools to assuage Ukraine’s concerns about Russia’s willingness to abide by a diplomatic agreement.
“I continue to believe — I was just talking to [Mitch] McConnell about this earlier — that there is still bipartisan support in Congress not only for Ukraine but an understanding of the threat that Russia poses,” Shaheen said. “Regardless of what Donald Trump and JD Vance say.”
Graham said such an effort would only strengthen a diplomatic deal because “Russia would know exactly what happens to their economy if they [invade] a third time.” This could include imposing tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil, as well as targeting Russia’s central bank.
“That’s a critical part of deterrence,” Graham added.
Shaheen’s role: Shaheen was upbeat about her chances of success in part because she won’t have to worry about the stress of a reelection bid, which can otherwise become all-consuming.
Shaheen, 78, is leaving as her influence in the Democratic Caucus is greater than it’s ever been. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has referred to Shaheen as the caucus’ leader on foreign policy matters.
“It was more about wanting to be able to leave when I felt like I could still do the job well, and not wanting to be here in a situation where I couldn’t do the job or I had something going on with my family… that would be a distraction,” Shaheen said of her decision.
