Senate Considering Action Against Russia
The bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, co-sponsored by Democrats and Republicans, is waiting in the wings in the Senate, ready to proceed but held back by President Trump's recent actions. The bill, aimed at targeting the Russian economy and countries supporting Russia's war efforts, has garnered strong bipartisan support with 85 Senate co-sponsors.
However, the Senate has delayed voting to allow Trump to take the lead. In a recent move, Trump announced a plan to sell weapons to NATO countries supplying Ukraine and threatened to impose 100% secondary tariffs on countries trading with Russia if no deal is reached within 50 days.
This unilateral action by Trump to increase pressure on Russia appears to have led Republican leaders to pause the Senate sanction bill as they await his direction. The Senate is expected to consider the bill, possibly the week of July 21, but this is contingent on Trump's stance and the unfolding diplomatic situation.
President Trump's tariff threat is effectively holding up the legislative process, as Senate Republicans prefer to work in partnership with him rather than proceed independently. The bill's co-sponsor, Sen. Kevin Cramer, has expressed a desire to have the Russia sanctions bill "in the bank."
Meanwhile, other political developments are unfolding. Rep. Andy Biggs, a key figure in the House, is optimistic about the crypto bills passing but is unsure about their quality. In a separate development, House Republicans have raised significant funds from April through June, led by Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif.
Elsewhere, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has stated that Senate Republicans will vote on the Russia sanctions bill as soon as President Trump gives the green light. In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger raised $10.7 million, while GOP gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears raised $5.9 million.
In Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear will make a national pilgrimage to South Carolina to discuss how to win back areas that feel forgotten or dismissed by the Democratic Party. Sen. Jon Ossoff, the only Trump-state Democrat seeking reelection, ended June with $15.5 million on hand.
Union Pacific has hired bankers for a possible railroad bid, while OMB Director Russ Vought may consider sending more cuts to the Hill after the current spending bill becomes law. Sen. Thom Tillis warned that if the implementation of the spending cuts cancel out projects that members would have a problem with, it could change his posture going forward.
In a unique turn of events, Sen. Richard Blumenthal called Trump's praise for their work on the Russia sanctions bill a "powerful sign of unity between the president and Congress." Sen. Lindsey Graham plans to talk to Trump about the Senate's Russia sanctions bill and a decision on floor action before August is expected in the coming days.
Putin remains unfazed about the Senate's Russia sanctions bill, according to Reuters. The House fell into disarray after breaking a record for the longest vote on a rule for debate on a trio of GOP crypto bills. Senate Republicans are close to clinching a $9 billion rescissions package, after removing cuts to the President's Emergency Plan For Aids Relief program and cutting a deal with the Trump administration on tribal broadcast services. The Senate has narrowly clinched $9 billion in spending cuts and sent them back to the House for final approval.
In summary, the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill remains poised but delayed due to President Trump's tariff threat and strategic approach to pressuring Russia. The Senate's voting status is ready but on hold awaiting President Trump's approval. The bill's co-sponsors, Senate leaders, and House Republicans are all keeping a close eye on Trump's actions and the unfolding diplomatic situation.
- The Russia sanctions bill, designed to target the Russian economy and countries supporting Russia's war efforts, is currently waiting in the Senate for President Trump's approval.
- Sen. Kevin Cramer, one of the bill's co-sponsors, expresses a desire to have the bill "in the bank."
- President Trump's unilateral action to increase pressure on Russia, such as his tariff threat, has led Republican leaders to pause the Senate sanction bill.
- Senator John Thune has stated that Senate Republicans will vote on the Russia sanctions bill as soon as President Trump gives the green light.
- Besides the Russia sanctions bill, other political developments are unfolding, including optimism about crypto bills passing but uncertainty about their quality.
- In addition, Senate Republicans are close to clinching a $9 billion rescissions package after removing cuts to the President's Emergency Plan For Aids Relief program.
- In other news, Union Pacific has hired bankers for a possible railroad bid, and House Republicans have raised significant funds from April through June.
- General news also includes reports of car accidents, fires, and crime-and-justice incidents, as well as updates on goal-setting, personal-growth, career-development, skills-training, education-and-self-development, and policy-and-legislation in various sectors.
