Senate Majority Leader John Thune is teasing an announcement as soon as this week on a path forward for Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-S.C.) bipartisan Russia sanctions bill.
In a brief interview Tuesday night, Thune made it clear he wants to see the bill become law and is taking a leading role in making it happen. The South Dakota Republican, a longtime Russia hawk, told us the sanctions bill would send “a very strong message” and noted that “the Europeans are looking for that kind of leadership from us as well.”
But Thune said he wants to move the bill “in sync” with the House and the White House — presumably so that the Senate isn’t left hanging out to dry. Thune’s conversations on those fronts have intensified in recent days, and he’s actively making the case for its passage.
“We want to make sure, when we move it, that we’re coordinating it with the White House, with the House,” Thune added. “It’s a very bipartisan issue here in the Senate. And I’m hoping that we’ll get the other entities in a place where there’s an opportunity for us to get this done.”
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he’s “looking at” the Senate bill “very strongly” and touted the fact that the bill gives him some flexibility when it comes to imposing the sanctions, which are intended to target nations that purchase Russian oil and uranium.
Graham told reporters that the bill’s waiver authority was tweaked to Trump’s liking, giving him a 180-day waiver that, if extended, would be subject to congressional review.
Next steps. Thune sounds very much like someone who wants to get this done. Yet Thune still wants commitments from the House and the White House that they’ll move in tandem. Thune seemed very optimistic — more so than in recent weeks — that they’ll be in lock-step.
That’s especially the case after Trump turned sour on Russian President Vladimir Putin this week over his steadfast refusal to accept ceasefire proposals while continuing to launch attacks in Ukraine, including in civilian areas. Trump seems to want to try a different approach after six months of his entreaties to Moscow haven’t changed the status quo.
“With the weapons flowing, this bill passing, the Europeans having a sanctions package — I think it’s the best chance to get Putin to the table,” Graham told us. “I feel confident the president is ready for us to act.”
The Senate will be in session the next four weeks, followed by the August recess. Senators are voting on nominations this week and are likely to handle the rescissions package next week. That means the week of July 21 is likely the soonest the Russia sanctions bill could hit the floor.
