The Senate has approved a punishing Russian sanctions bill that was a top priority for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate overwhelmingly approved a punishing Russian sanctions package Friday, the result of a yearlong campaign by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham to reinforce U.S. support for Ukraine and try to force President Vladimir Putin’s hand as the grinding war drags on.

The bipartisan legislation, which passed 86-11, would penalize countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports seeking to deprive Putin of revenues fueling the war. It comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Capitol last week following Graham’s funeral, met with senators from both parties and watched from the gallery as the Senate took the first procedural votes.

  • HappyCatLuvs_U@lemmy.world
    32·
    3 days ago

    The bipartisan package allows the president to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, including China and India. It provides exceptions for countries that import less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and are taking steps to reduce those imports.

    Allows but does not require.

    The legislation also includes sanctions on Putin, senior Russian political and military leaders, Russian financial institutions and Russian energy projects. It would expand U.S. sanctions to target older, reflagged oil tankers that Russia uses to circumvent existing U.S. sanctions on Russian oil and energy revenues. The bill also allows the White House to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that it’s in the national interest.

    And also allows him to undo any of the stuff he doesn’t get a say over directly.

    Very cool!

    I have no doubt he will use it as an excuse to further fracture our global power and image in attempts to extort easy wins, personal wealth, or both.

    But I do approve of increased support for Ukraine and am thankful there has been progress, atleast in messaging, from the right toward Ukraine.

    Also

    Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., who had held up passage of the package over the tariff authority, said he received a written commitment from the Trump administration through U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer that ensures guardrails. The tariffs would be lifted once the countries are no longer on the lists of those purchasing Russian oil and gas, or helping to evade sanctions, he said.

    Guys it’s fine.

    I said IT’S FINE. HE GOT A WRITTEN COMMITMENT.