Finally. Also, why did energy companies have a say in this in the first place? Do we need any more evidence that Republicans are beholden to money?
2
The first good news for America in six months!
3
Well...even he say the trap...he looks like he will sign it...still plenty of Russia in Trump.
2
I can't believe we are even discussing a Republican Congress sharply limiting Trump's ability to suspend the sanctions. Obviously, even they now believe that the President colluded with a hostile foreign power to win the presidency. How long will they put partisan party loyalty over fundamental national security??
8
My guess is that Putin can call Trump's bluff and pump up Russia's agression all he wants as he dares Trump to do something about it. While Putin will need to take care to craft his strategy to get around Congress, I'd be surprised if he doesn't see Trump as a feable sheep in wolf's clothing. Trump has already shown the world that he doesn't have the intelligence or focus of character to forcefully and effectively confront any serious transgression committed by Putin. Just look at the US election and the occupation of Crimea as poster examples.
7
It's about time that the legislative branch exert proper oversight of foreign policy, especially with a president and cabinet officials so unfit for their offices. We've had too many wars without proper thought, too much trust of purely executive decisions. I trust the collective opinion of our elected representatives.
4
What ARE the sanctions? I've read and re-read the long article and all I see is discussion of the politics of the issue.
4
Well, Donald's next tweet will be entitled, "To Russia With Love."; hey, Vladimir, l'm hiring James Bond to handle this Russian Sanctions'
Mess. "
Mess. "
Anything for mixed multitude Soros and the 1% but nothing for the people.
2
The Russian government not long ago raided and literally annexed a region of the Ukraine. They deserve the sanctions our Congress served on them. We do not want Putin and his fascist government to remain in Ukraine. More significantly we do not want them stealing parts of our country or buying off our president, which they apparently may have already done. Trump should resign and/or we should impeach him for his nefarious allegiance to an enemy foreign power.
the
the
8
Lilou of Paris appears to understand what's been going on. It makes perfect sense.
1
Its growing fairly apparent that even the Republican leadership wants this person out of the White House. His absolutely dark and dirty dealings with Russia and beyond are going to give this country a bad bad case of of global political flu if not dealt with soon. This set of sanctions that will be presented to Trump is the last test to see if he puts his job above his nefarious personal situation. Failing that, you watch, all the sudden there will be overwhelming support and leaks to the special council that will bring Trump and his pathetic family/cadre down.
Trump, you picked the wrong ship of state to be friendly with and or beholden to.
Trump, you picked the wrong ship of state to be friendly with and or beholden to.
7
It isn't the conclusions of the intelligence agencies that are inherently tainted, the president is inherently tainted. A suspicious, paranoid mind is not the mindset of a leader.
8
"A nearly united Congress is poised to send President Putin a clear message on behalf of the American people and our allies,” said Senator Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland. What allies? Most of Europeans we have nothing against Russia taking back Crimea, which has always been Russian and was given by Khrushchev to Ukraine in 1954.
1
I now believe that it is entirely probable that Mr. Trump has long had illicit money being laundered, to his great profit (and now similarly, Kushner's through purchase by the Russian mob surrounding Putin. Thus he is subject to black mail. He runs for President twice at the request of the Russians, and the second time they made sure he would win. I am now convinced they are all crooks, the whole family.
6
A few more details would be nice. What's the name of the bill? Who sponsored the bill? Are these amendments to an existing bill? What are the proposed sanctions to each of the three countries?
This article is long on quotes and possible repercussions for the Trump administration, but short on real information-- it reads like an over-the-fence conversation between neighbors who agree politically.
Some people still want facts, not suggestions.
This article is long on quotes and possible repercussions for the Trump administration, but short on real information-- it reads like an over-the-fence conversation between neighbors who agree politically.
Some people still want facts, not suggestions.
8
This bill would have been unnecessary is we had a normal president who was prudent, and not enamoured of autocrats or possibly financially beholden to Russian oligarchs .
10
We don't need Russia to destroy this country. We already have Democrats and an unknown number of leakers who are undermining the Presidency and bringing this country down. It's the only way they know how to get power.
That's a joke, right Ed? Please pay attention to who's in power – and how they got there.
1
Facepalm.
This is what is the true danger to the republic -- alternative facts. Just what the Trumpsters love: Dividing the country while they go on, untouched and unaccountable.
This is what is the true danger to the republic -- alternative facts. Just what the Trumpsters love: Dividing the country while they go on, untouched and unaccountable.
6
Dividing the country? I don't recall a 'resist' movement when Obama took office. That notion - 'resist' - 'liberators' against 'occupiers' is purely an invention of the Democrat party. You may not agree with Republicans or Conservative thinking people. But don't accuse US of dividing this country.
1
Trump was right about one thing. It would be nice if we could get along with Russia. The last thing the two countries need is another Cold War. Yet Putin makes this kind of accord difficult. He's apparently guilty of territorial incursions, meddling in many elections here and abroad, and actually killing his rivals or opponents. He differs from Stalin in not being a communist, just a garden-variety dictator and oligarch.
And Trump's motives may not be what they seem -- world peace, etc. He and his cabinet seem to have vested interests in Putin's Russia. We don't know what deals Trump has made with Putin but we do know that his Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, comes to us from ExxonMobil, which has millions of dollars worth of leases to newly thawing Siberian oil fields, and that Exxon has no access to those oil fields as long as the sanctions remain in place.
On the whole I don't blame Trump for drawing a red line in front of his personal finances. Before the election he promised to release his tax returns but of course that meant nothing.
And Trump's motives may not be what they seem -- world peace, etc. He and his cabinet seem to have vested interests in Putin's Russia. We don't know what deals Trump has made with Putin but we do know that his Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, comes to us from ExxonMobil, which has millions of dollars worth of leases to newly thawing Siberian oil fields, and that Exxon has no access to those oil fields as long as the sanctions remain in place.
On the whole I don't blame Trump for drawing a red line in front of his personal finances. Before the election he promised to release his tax returns but of course that meant nothing.
7
I'm not sure why everyone is so upset with Russia. If its true they meddled with the election then we should be thanking them. They helped us ensure Hillary wouldn't be handed the reigns by Obama and we have Trump making America great again. What's the problem again?
Either you are being ironic, or you named yourself well. Since it was you who chose the name, I will assume you are being ironic. BTW, I've stayed in Pueblo a few times in my travels. I found it pleasant.
4
Yeah! To congress. Let's NOT make Russia great again!
7
Note that this story is long on analysis & short on facts. Specifically, what sanctions are being imposed? Background info is fine, but not at the expense of a newspaper's primary job, which is reporting the facts.
2
The whole point is not to inform the reader but to attack Trump from another angle. How low the once great NYT has sunk.
1
If Trump vetos this bill, the pee pee tape is real.
8
Trump should veto the bill on general principles. The country with military bases all around the world and which interfers the most in other countries should not be complaining when it encounters push back by those it tries to bully and intimidate.
2
We are a Republic living in a zero sum world, it is better we position ourselves to hold strategic advantages.
We can't save everyone, and if this causes discomfort or a rude awakening to the way our military should and does conduct itself to some; I have to wonder if you would rather be a world citizen or if you want this country to be positioned to succeed and in a better position than the rest.
We should have those bases and we should control the open seas, after all I want this country to always have a hand over fist approach in dictating terms of trade and the world, I'm sure as an outsider you might hate us for our imperialist ways but I only care about the roughly 300 million in this great country regardless of your political inclination, regardless of your opinion of me.
We can't save everyone, and if this causes discomfort or a rude awakening to the way our military should and does conduct itself to some; I have to wonder if you would rather be a world citizen or if you want this country to be positioned to succeed and in a better position than the rest.
We should have those bases and we should control the open seas, after all I want this country to always have a hand over fist approach in dictating terms of trade and the world, I'm sure as an outsider you might hate us for our imperialist ways but I only care about the roughly 300 million in this great country regardless of your political inclination, regardless of your opinion of me.
I think Trump will veto the bill. Adding sanctions on Iran, while intended to win his support, like "the cherry on top", will not change his mind. I'm surprised they were added, given the rest of the West's positive relations with them since the anti-nuclear accord.
Sanctions on North Korea? What could they possibly be? They are self-isolated and potentially can nuke the Pacific region. Sanctions will not stop that. Trump knows the U.S. can blast them out of existence at their first attack. (mind you, I am not for nuclear war and it's fallout).
Trump will not support continued and more sanctions on Russia. He's been socializing with Russian leaders for years, and accepted millions in Russian loans for his campaign. He sees them as friends, wants to "go around" their interference in the 2016 election and seeks to turn a personal profit in oil.
His record shows he only has his interests, and maybe those of his family, at heart. He has no knowledge about, or particular concern for, America or the world.
It's clear he wants to be obeyed and fears being "fired". He might demand Russia be removed from the bill, leaving North Korea and Iran, and then he'll sign it -- an empty piece of legislation.
Russia is at the heart of this bill and I'm glad Congress finally worked together for a good cause.
Now, they need to gear up for a veto override.
Sanctions on North Korea? What could they possibly be? They are self-isolated and potentially can nuke the Pacific region. Sanctions will not stop that. Trump knows the U.S. can blast them out of existence at their first attack. (mind you, I am not for nuclear war and it's fallout).
Trump will not support continued and more sanctions on Russia. He's been socializing with Russian leaders for years, and accepted millions in Russian loans for his campaign. He sees them as friends, wants to "go around" their interference in the 2016 election and seeks to turn a personal profit in oil.
His record shows he only has his interests, and maybe those of his family, at heart. He has no knowledge about, or particular concern for, America or the world.
It's clear he wants to be obeyed and fears being "fired". He might demand Russia be removed from the bill, leaving North Korea and Iran, and then he'll sign it -- an empty piece of legislation.
Russia is at the heart of this bill and I'm glad Congress finally worked together for a good cause.
Now, they need to gear up for a veto override.
4
But the bill would force Trump to take sides. Either he is one of us, or he is with Putin.
Which is it, Mr. "President"?
Which is it, Mr. "President"?
5
Considering how many votes it had (nearly unanimous), Trump would be more of a fool than he has shown himself up till now by vetoing it. The veto would be broken by the next day.
2
Sanctions are great as long as "allies" participate.
Some "allies" will participate in recognizing the opportunity to make a fortune on the black market.
Case in point, California's tobacco tax. As part of Prop 56 $2 per pack tax increase is the increased sales of tobacco products at the tax free Casinos. Also, some county health departements fail to recognize the future cash flow from tobacco sales. One intent of the tax increase was to discourage smoking. Especially discouraging new smokers.
I hope other countries will honor the sanctions and not try to make a fortune by clandestine trading. I hope that our U.S. government nudges our "allies" to honor the sanctions.
Some "allies" will participate in recognizing the opportunity to make a fortune on the black market.
Case in point, California's tobacco tax. As part of Prop 56 $2 per pack tax increase is the increased sales of tobacco products at the tax free Casinos. Also, some county health departements fail to recognize the future cash flow from tobacco sales. One intent of the tax increase was to discourage smoking. Especially discouraging new smokers.
I hope other countries will honor the sanctions and not try to make a fortune by clandestine trading. I hope that our U.S. government nudges our "allies" to honor the sanctions.
2
I am deeply suspicious of what the legislation actually says. I do not trust the Trump Administration to do anything to stand up to Russia. I also do not trust the House Republicans to represent the best interests of the American people. And I do not trust the Democrats to read every last detail of the fine print. Thanks to Mitch McConnell's devious machinations, Democrats may not have enough time to read any last minute amendments. Donald Trump is not going to go quietly into doing the right thing. Resisting Russian aggression is not how Trump sees his purpose and therefore that of the United States sees the world, finances Trumpster investments, and carries out jTrumpster business. Rex Tillerson hasn't got a clue, except for providing ways so Exxon Mobile can drill for more oil, and doesn't have any lifers in the State Department to set him straight on what the implications of legislation are with respect to sanctions against Russia. I hope there are knowledgeable experts looking at the proposed legislative mess somewhere in our disfunctional government. We haven't seen blundering and lying like this since 2001-2008.
5
Trump people are strange indeed. They want to be friends with Russia but they make a big deal out of Clinton's vote (along with 8 other votes) so that Russia could buy an American company with uranium. I wish Trump people would make up their mind.
2
Trump will not veto this bill. He's a classic bully: big swagger until backed up to a wall then he crumbles like a two dollar suitcase. I hope the Republicans see this for what it is - the time and place to negotiate Trump's departure from the White House.
7
If the sanctions go through, Drumpf will be wondering when he will wind up bald in a hospital bed, or maybe poked with the tip of a ricen tipped umbrella. Russia has honed assassination to a fine art.
4
If it were Obama they'd have no problem undercutting him. The oil companies make enough money they don't need Russia.
Good news. Hopefully Congress will prove reliable for a change. It has always been clear that Russia had no lawful right to take a piece of Ukraine: the Crimea. We certainly wouldn't stand for Putin stealing an American state and putting his army there, would we? His actions in Ukraine are Hitlerian and if he isn't stopped he will do more. And if our president is complicit with Putin we must stop him too pronto.
6
This is only a test choice if you believe Trump will fully and with malice used foreign intelligence to steal an election. There is no touch choice for anyone who is interested in their own survival, which Trump absolutely is. He'll sign it without hesitation. And then,you'll all be like "Trump is schizophrenic!!" And "Who is this Donald Trump?" As if your preconceived notions are absolute and unquestionable, and when proved wrong, it is not the notions themselves hat we're wrong, but the world around you that has changed. Admittedly a hilarious phenomenon to watch, but also an incredibly depressing one, as it speaks to the unwillingness of the average American to inform themselves with anything other than media outlets.
1
And you on the other hand are too trusting. Trump has been strangely friendly to Russia, who is not America's friend.
2
@Debra, trust has nothing to do with it. I'm a man of empiricism, causality, and correlation. We simply don't have any empirical, concrete evidence to suggest Trump is a puppet of Putin or actually attempted to deliberately steal the election. We have vague hints, the suspicious but not illegal actions of underlings, but literally nothing else. The uneducated mind fills in the gaps in information with what they want the missing information to be, and then accepts it's own extrapolations as fact, and acts on them. The educated mind extrapolates, but recognizes when evidence is lacking, and does not act on said extrapolations without a firm empirical base supporting them. Accusations against the Trump administration objectively lack that empirical base. I am not willing to assert anything that amounts to speculation,let alone indict a president or his underlings on such speculation. That's the whole point of the special investigation. Yet people act like the very fact there is a special investigation is proof enough. It is not, and it never will be.
but ..... trump has been paid many times over to put the fix in for trump
he owes russia
he owes russia
6
Sorry Mr. Trump, but living and governing in a democracy are quite different from the business world. Besides, you became president by an antiquated vote counting system and not a majority. Governments are service organizations and not a conduit for your personal desires.
6
Trump isn't the right man for the job, most of us realize this by now, but the players in Washington really dislike him because he isn't one of them.
6
Trump is not merely not one of the Washington Establishment. He is not one of us who value personal integrity or good will. Neither were Joe McCarthy or Ariel Castro.
3
Can't even believe republicans are doing this. Wondering if it's a trick. Gives me hope.
3
The nearly unanimous passage of the Senate's sanctions bill came soon after Rep. Scalise was shot. I'm bringing that up because it was a rare demonstration of actual bipartanship- not just the usual hollow proclamations of unity and "coming together" that are nauseatingly routine and de rigueur after terrorist/madman violence.
If the House passes their sanctions bill, it will be the first instance in which they stood up to President-for-now Trump regarding the Russian attack on our democratic process. Until now, Republicans have mostly been stalling for time by prevarication and equivocation. Even though this bill is merely a small step down a very long road out of the mess we are in now, at least Congress (i.e. Republicans) will have done more than just talking about what they *might* do at the end of a slew of contentious hearings and inevitably drawn-out investigations.
I will applaud and give due credit to Republicans if they follow through and produce legislation that reins in our dangerously mendacious president.
If they don't chicken out and allow themselves to be stymied by the cynically disingenuous alt-right stooges presently contaminating their party, it would be the first unambiguous acknowledgment by Congressional Republicans that Trump is wrong at best, and probably simply lying whenever he opens his mouth about Russia and Putin.
That could be the first real turning point towards the restoration of (reasonably) widespread faith in our democracy.
If the House passes their sanctions bill, it will be the first instance in which they stood up to President-for-now Trump regarding the Russian attack on our democratic process. Until now, Republicans have mostly been stalling for time by prevarication and equivocation. Even though this bill is merely a small step down a very long road out of the mess we are in now, at least Congress (i.e. Republicans) will have done more than just talking about what they *might* do at the end of a slew of contentious hearings and inevitably drawn-out investigations.
I will applaud and give due credit to Republicans if they follow through and produce legislation that reins in our dangerously mendacious president.
If they don't chicken out and allow themselves to be stymied by the cynically disingenuous alt-right stooges presently contaminating their party, it would be the first unambiguous acknowledgment by Congressional Republicans that Trump is wrong at best, and probably simply lying whenever he opens his mouth about Russia and Putin.
That could be the first real turning point towards the restoration of (reasonably) widespread faith in our democracy.
4
I don't believe the vote was because of the shooting. Just one of those rare instances of each side getting something. I don't think it's a sign of future things to come. Hopefully, but I don't think so.
This all is a "red herring" so to speak. The US has interfered in over 100 elections around the globe, including supporting coups of democratically elected leaders which have led to disaster in many nations impacting millions of lives. The constant drumbeat of Russian interference and aggression is hypocritical given US aggression and interference in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and many other places around the world. Our focus should be on election reform in a major way for transparency, take the money out so the elections are not bought by the highest contributor, run-off voting, allow 3rd parties, real debates monitored by the League of Women Voters. No commercials on TV, but access to a process of vetting of our candidates which give us their real history and any association with idealogies, or nefarious actions in their work history or other associations.
8
Sky. What the US government has done in the past you should tell us about since you know. Also tell us exactly How you know? What the president did is another matter entirely. As a candidate for the presidency he was NOT in the government and had No authorization to deal with the Russians and our election in any way. If he did that it is treason.
4
Sky. Trump was NOT president but a private citizen if or when he played footsie with the Russians about the election. Thus he had no lawful right to do so. You have confused the US government with a private citizen. What Trump did may be wrong and the investigation is decidedly not a red herring!
Your accusations against our previous governments are entirely unwarranted unless you have tangible proof. If you don't then you are guilty of "fake news" and should cut it out.
Your accusations against our previous governments are entirely unwarranted unless you have tangible proof. If you don't then you are guilty of "fake news" and should cut it out.
3
Sanctions against Russia and North Korea are completely reasonable, but further sanctions against Iran are a mistake. The new generation in Iran are ready for Iran to move away from confrontational military policies and to be a more responsible world citizen. The nuclear agreement is working and Congress should not undermine it at this point. They seem to be more interested in placating the Israel lobby than in doing what is best for the USA.
5
Congress had to act where the President would not but Trump has no expectation that the Congress will reverse itself if he opposes it, so he will just let it go and sign the bill. He will continue to oppose the tough stance against Russia and to try to spin the facts to give the impression that Russia is our friend and Putin is some kind of George Washington for Russia. Trump is man who does not think past the next transaction and who does not have any ethics, the ends do justify the means for Trump. We could not have chosen a more destructive personality for President if we had a referendum and decided to destroy ourselves. Trump is going to weaken the Presidency back to where it was in the post-Civil War decades.
5
Don't know why we need new sanctions. It seems like a stupid idea, designed to revive the Cold War. Unwitting warmongers and a huge MSM propaganda effort are driving this "Russia-hate" campaign. The people are not behind it. Trump needs to veto this.
7
Another Russian agent has arrived in Connecticut! Welcome!
2
The Cold War does not need to be revived, for the very basic reason that it never ended. The idea that the Cold War ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union is a myth propagated by the Republican Party for the purpose of glorifying Ronald Reagan. As such, it is standard Republican boilerplate.
To grasp this, you need to ignore the ideological rhetoric in terms of which the idea of the Cold War was presented to the American public, and in terms of which is continues to be misinterpreted. It was not a war against "Godless Communism," since by now we should all have come to realize that Capitalism is godless, too. Rather, the Cold War was, and remains, a geopolitical power struggle between competing global powers -- and yes, the Russian Republic is still a world power.
The United States and Russia do, of course have vastly different political histories, and that is a factor. I will go so far as to argue that the Soviet Union was more of a continuation of the autocratic Czarist empire, than a revolutionary departure from it. Think of Stalin as "Czar Josef The Terrible."
Some things never change. Today's Russia is still an autocratic regime, and it still harbors a grudge against the West which goes back centuries. Russia remains a benighted country with a veneer of aristocratic high culture, although I will readily acknowledge that Russian high culture -- primarily music and literature -- is quite impressive.
To grasp this, you need to ignore the ideological rhetoric in terms of which the idea of the Cold War was presented to the American public, and in terms of which is continues to be misinterpreted. It was not a war against "Godless Communism," since by now we should all have come to realize that Capitalism is godless, too. Rather, the Cold War was, and remains, a geopolitical power struggle between competing global powers -- and yes, the Russian Republic is still a world power.
The United States and Russia do, of course have vastly different political histories, and that is a factor. I will go so far as to argue that the Soviet Union was more of a continuation of the autocratic Czarist empire, than a revolutionary departure from it. Think of Stalin as "Czar Josef The Terrible."
Some things never change. Today's Russia is still an autocratic regime, and it still harbors a grudge against the West which goes back centuries. Russia remains a benighted country with a veneer of aristocratic high culture, although I will readily acknowledge that Russian high culture -- primarily music and literature -- is quite impressive.
2
Neal - thanks for the great illustration of my point about how this whole Russia phobia is driven by senseless warmongers.
1
Congress passes the sanctions bill with veto-proof numbers. Trump vetoes. The bill becomes law on the override. Petulant Trump tweetstorms like a madman that Congress is not loyal to the president, and targets both sides, further isolating himself. It has been Trump First, not America First, since noon on January 20, 2017.
14
yeah, but at least he's covered himself for his BFF Putin.
1
Donald's instinct will be to veto the bill for one reason only: in his mind nobody tells him what to do and, when that happens, he'll lash out doing the exact opposite; in this case that means vetoing the bill. His team will probably warn him about the consequences but I bet he won't listen. He'll see the bill as a personal affront from those ingrates in Congress (where's the loyalty?) and that will drive his thinking. He'll be so enraged that he won't even think about the optics and the repercussions of doing such a thing.
I truly hope Donald vetoes the bill as it will add to his ultimate downfall. I'm sure Mr. Mueller is going to be watching what he does and he and his team will take notes.
I truly hope Donald vetoes the bill as it will add to his ultimate downfall. I'm sure Mr. Mueller is going to be watching what he does and he and his team will take notes.
9
No, Trump would just make himself look more stupid than he already is if he vetoes it. I'd give the chances of him vetoing the bill at one in a million.
Congress really has no choice but to place sanctions on any foreign country that dares to infiltrate our government in such a brazen, ruthless and blatant manner as Russia has.
Obviously, the Republicans see the handwriting on the wall of a Putin White House sleeper like Trump.
Trump crafts a plan to take over all branches of law first. So, the FBI, CIA and DOJ all report directly to him. Then, he gluts the government with oligarchs just as Putin does in key government departments like Education, Transportation, Energy, EPA and others. These all are "YES" people the Republicans now see will do Trump's (read Putin's) bidding.
It doesn't stop there. Trump deliberately violates and gets away with Constitutional violations like the emoluments clause, massive conflicts of interest and then to deflect HIS own guilt, he tries to get rid of our elections by puttin another YES boy in position to take over all of our voting histories and registries. Oh how I love how Korbach thinks he's pulling the wool over all of our eyes.
Then, you choose a VP running mate who will pardon you of anything short of murder, (and that's coming too if anyone dares to continue to criticize the Czar Trump).
Remember when the righties all said how the election of 2016 wasn't hacked and it was all conspiracy?
Well, good news! Now the right wing has gone so far as to try to make the case that liberals, bad, bad, bad, bad, liberals! are all scientifically brain deficient. Mind control? What else?
Obviously, the Republicans see the handwriting on the wall of a Putin White House sleeper like Trump.
Trump crafts a plan to take over all branches of law first. So, the FBI, CIA and DOJ all report directly to him. Then, he gluts the government with oligarchs just as Putin does in key government departments like Education, Transportation, Energy, EPA and others. These all are "YES" people the Republicans now see will do Trump's (read Putin's) bidding.
It doesn't stop there. Trump deliberately violates and gets away with Constitutional violations like the emoluments clause, massive conflicts of interest and then to deflect HIS own guilt, he tries to get rid of our elections by puttin another YES boy in position to take over all of our voting histories and registries. Oh how I love how Korbach thinks he's pulling the wool over all of our eyes.
Then, you choose a VP running mate who will pardon you of anything short of murder, (and that's coming too if anyone dares to continue to criticize the Czar Trump).
Remember when the righties all said how the election of 2016 wasn't hacked and it was all conspiracy?
Well, good news! Now the right wing has gone so far as to try to make the case that liberals, bad, bad, bad, bad, liberals! are all scientifically brain deficient. Mind control? What else?
8
your words: "foreign country that dares to infiltrate our government in such a brazen, ruthless and blatant manner as Russia has."
Fact: Russia did NOT invade our government. At worst they invaded or hacked the DNC and stole some emails. That's it. The DNC is a private organization , not the Federal Government. Please get your facts straight or you risk being mistaken for a Republican.
Fact: Russia did NOT invade our government. At worst they invaded or hacked the DNC and stole some emails. That's it. The DNC is a private organization , not the Federal Government. Please get your facts straight or you risk being mistaken for a Republican.
Trump is not a great negotiator, as he claims. He is just a bully. And Congress just backed that bully down.
7
Trump's next 4 AM tweet: The vote was rigged. DA!
4
I ma totally opposed to sanctions on RUssia. We need them. Trump should veto his build. Sanctions bill should not be some fort of catch all. There should be a separate bill for each country. Putting them in one bill demonstrates nothing but a failure of Congress.
Trump must veto this bill!!
Trump must veto this bill!!
1
We need Russia like we need a leak in an atomic plant.
2
But what will Trump's master in Moscow say if he signs the bill? He must be worried that his Russian loans will be called---or their compromising photos of him will be leaked.
10
Possible agreement from Trump on July 23,'17
What exactly is in this piece of legislation that sets what type of sanctions to these three countries,Iran North Korea and Russia? Did not see any reporting on them just the effects? And what were the palatable changes for the WH to perhaps sign this?
What exactly is in this piece of legislation that sets what type of sanctions to these three countries,Iran North Korea and Russia? Did not see any reporting on them just the effects? And what were the palatable changes for the WH to perhaps sign this?
2
Congress is scheduled to adjourn sometime next month. If it places the bill on Trump's desk and adjourns ten days or fewer afterwards without his signing it the bill doesn't become law. A presidential declination to sign in these circumstances is known as a "pocket veto."
Given the powerful bi-partisan support for these sanctions, it's highly probable that Congress would simply pass the legislation again after it comes back into session and once again present it to him. But a pocket veto would allow him to delay reckoning with it, and in view of the shenanigans of his administration, a lot could happen in the interim.
Given the powerful bi-partisan support for these sanctions, it's highly probable that Congress would simply pass the legislation again after it comes back into session and once again present it to him. But a pocket veto would allow him to delay reckoning with it, and in view of the shenanigans of his administration, a lot could happen in the interim.
5
Excellent news. The Congress is the real power in this country, and they need to start defending it instead of playing politics all the time.
4
This may sound like fantasy to some, but I think it's possible that Trump and his family may eventually flee the country and end up living in exile in Russia.
10
I disagree. Trump's presidency will make history by being the first to end in a padded room in a secure psychiatric facility.
3
I'll charter the flight to take them there. Just say when.
3
EN: I suppose that theory is as good as some others I've heard
If current Times reporting is correct, it appears that the president has blinked first. It will now be interesting to see if this emboldens Congress to tackle even thornier issues that require bipartisanship for resolution.
3
Sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea? And our best friend in the Middle East is Saudi Arabia?
Does anyone remember that 15 of the 19 hijackers in the 9/11 attacks were Saudi Arabian?
If 15 of those 19 hijackers were Russian, I suspect "Russia" as we know it today would no longer exist.
Our foreign policy is the definition of "Illogical".
Does anyone remember that 15 of the 19 hijackers in the 9/11 attacks were Saudi Arabian?
If 15 of those 19 hijackers were Russian, I suspect "Russia" as we know it today would no longer exist.
Our foreign policy is the definition of "Illogical".
11
Foreign Policy often appears illogical. That is because the world is anything but simple. But I would gloat if Iran AND Saudi Arabia were to go to war against one another, and reduce one another to rubble.
We really must be missing something here. Since when has the Republican Party put Country before Party?
8
". . . Republican majorities have been reluctant to confront Mr. Trump." Therein lies the problem in every instance where the president lies or over-reaches in his actions. No secret that both parties continue to put party before country. Most egregious are the Republicans who continue to make excuses for the troglodyte in the White House. Their only aim is to retain the majorities in the Congress and keep a Republican as president. Their mantra is to say one thing before the cameras and then do the opposite to maintain party power.
3
Anybody think that Trump won't veto? Just for spite. Like everything else he does.
4
Interesting that there is this blanket assumption that Trump would veto said new sanctions legislation. Great headline. Let's see what actually happens and then report.
1
Many sound, sane and reasoned comments here. Great service, NYT!
7
The GOP Congress has "Hit the Panic Button" !
For the past six months, the GOP has struggled with "keeping step" with the president - But Slowly, as the presidents Tweets have "Self-Destructed" ALL of the work the White House has attempted to accomplish.
The Failed and Failing attempts to "Repeal and Replace" Obamacare have forced the Congress and Senate members "To Face" their angry constituents as the FACTS of the new bills have been "understood" !
The Health Bill was/is a truly "Go/No Go" moment for the Legislature. . .
Stick with the president or attempt to protect their jobs.
The GOP is in some tricky grounds - As they have to weigh the strength of the "remaining Trump base" - Versus - "Everyone Else" ! . . and determine their future paths.
If the GOP failed to Stand Behind Russian Sanctions - They are Essentially saying that they do NOT care about the actual interference of Russia with our 2016 Election.
Will Trump sign the Bill ? - Will he Veto it ?
What happens next will define the GOP - and hopefully they will return to actually representing those who voted for them.
For the past six months, the GOP has struggled with "keeping step" with the president - But Slowly, as the presidents Tweets have "Self-Destructed" ALL of the work the White House has attempted to accomplish.
The Failed and Failing attempts to "Repeal and Replace" Obamacare have forced the Congress and Senate members "To Face" their angry constituents as the FACTS of the new bills have been "understood" !
The Health Bill was/is a truly "Go/No Go" moment for the Legislature. . .
Stick with the president or attempt to protect their jobs.
The GOP is in some tricky grounds - As they have to weigh the strength of the "remaining Trump base" - Versus - "Everyone Else" ! . . and determine their future paths.
If the GOP failed to Stand Behind Russian Sanctions - They are Essentially saying that they do NOT care about the actual interference of Russia with our 2016 Election.
Will Trump sign the Bill ? - Will he Veto it ?
What happens next will define the GOP - and hopefully they will return to actually representing those who voted for them.
4
It is nice to see a bipartisan piece of legislation come out of the current Congress. Now, please do the same for healthcare reform which is what the majority of Americans want you to work on.
7
Of course Trump will veto it. The spin/rationale will be exactly as the article stipulates: the language in the bill does not provide the flexibility to allow for the administration's diplomatic initiatives with Moscow. The subsequent 4am tweet: "Congress overstepping to tie the hands of the President in improving international ties! Sad!"
4
Russia is a substantial force in global politics. Improving our ability to deal with
them should be a goal. Obama made an effort to do so but concluded Russia was not a trustworthy counter party. Trump's motives are suspect. Even if they were above board, they are rendered inappropriate for him by Russia's effort to put him in office. Putin's KGB foundation may inhibit his Russia from a real open hand approach. He's cloak and dagger. It's his DNA.
them should be a goal. Obama made an effort to do so but concluded Russia was not a trustworthy counter party. Trump's motives are suspect. Even if they were above board, they are rendered inappropriate for him by Russia's effort to put him in office. Putin's KGB foundation may inhibit his Russia from a real open hand approach. He's cloak and dagger. It's his DNA.
5
I am interested to know what kind of sanctions we could impose would be strong enough to actually dissuade Russia from interfering in our elections in the future. Their plan worked perfectly and got them exactly the results they wanted. They are highly incentivized to keep meddling in elections of all countries of the west. I don't see how this interference isn't an actual act of war. Not that I think that we should start bombing the Kremlin or put boots on the ground in Siberia. But I simply cannot imagine what kinds of "sanctions" would work. Is Congress also planning to send a "stern letter" to Putin to tell him to knock it off? What needs to happen is for Putin to disappear.
4
Is the pawn now expendable?
2
This is not defiance of Trump or the turning of a new page by congressional Republicans: it is survival, a bet that failure to have done nothing would signal complicity with what is becoming more probable everyday: Trump's treason.
Defeat of Obamacare repeal.
Defeat of measure to grant massive tax breaks to the wealthiest.
Passage of a large infrastructure bill, devoid of Trump cronyism and over-privatization.
If they accomplish the three actions above, Republicans will have reformed.
Defeat of Obamacare repeal.
Defeat of measure to grant massive tax breaks to the wealthiest.
Passage of a large infrastructure bill, devoid of Trump cronyism and over-privatization.
If they accomplish the three actions above, Republicans will have reformed.
4
This sanctions legislation is the first evidence of Congressional rebuke of the malignancy, distortions and lies perpetrated by the Trump Administration. There has been a maelstrom of lies about their assets, foreign entanglements and prior contact with Russian officials -- including AG Sessions, son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Donald Trump, Jr. The venality and divisiveness of Trump’s governance has been astounding. He imperiously believes he’s above the law and will pardon himself if guilty of RUSSIAGATE misdeeds. The Trump Administration has: (1) abysmally low public approval ratings, (2) minimal credibility with world leaders, and (3) virtually no transparency. But Republicans remain silent.
Trump’s firing of James Comey was a flagrant abuse of power and attempt to obstruct justice. Comey’s was fired for refusing to pledge loyalty and stop the RUSSIAGATE investigations. Trump now claims he will fire special counsel Robert Mueller if Muller meddles into Trump’s past business dealings and finances. But Trump may have been involved in Russian organized crime money-laundering. This would render him vulnerable to blackmail. BUT REPUBLICAN LEADERS AND POLITICIANS REMAIN STRANGELY SILENT, STEADFASTLY LOYAL, AND EERILY COMPLICIT IN TRUMP’S RUSSIAGATE SCANDAL. The Republican Party has devolved into partisan hacks focused on their political agenda and power. Sadly, they no longer possess any sense of loyalty or duty to preserving and protecting this country’s democracy.
Trump’s firing of James Comey was a flagrant abuse of power and attempt to obstruct justice. Comey’s was fired for refusing to pledge loyalty and stop the RUSSIAGATE investigations. Trump now claims he will fire special counsel Robert Mueller if Muller meddles into Trump’s past business dealings and finances. But Trump may have been involved in Russian organized crime money-laundering. This would render him vulnerable to blackmail. BUT REPUBLICAN LEADERS AND POLITICIANS REMAIN STRANGELY SILENT, STEADFASTLY LOYAL, AND EERILY COMPLICIT IN TRUMP’S RUSSIAGATE SCANDAL. The Republican Party has devolved into partisan hacks focused on their political agenda and power. Sadly, they no longer possess any sense of loyalty or duty to preserving and protecting this country’s democracy.
9
What are the new sanctions? What are the old sanctions? Can I make up my own mind or accept the Times decision that I don't need to know and should go along with them to embarrass Trump?
Would State Depart sanctions work as well as their policies do in Ukraine and Syria?
Would State Depart sanctions work as well as their policies do in Ukraine and Syria?
6
These sanctions have nothing to do with Russian election meddling. Is is more fake news. Congress would not and should not include any sanctions related to election meddling because there is no proof and it is still under investigation obviously. And of course the investigation will prove nothing and this is all a big political show sponsored by the New York time
5
the point is that by punishing Russia your Congressional leaders have been promoting the re-election of Mr Putin in 2018.
2
I truly hope that trump won't veto the Sanction Legislation. He has shown himself to be totally untethered from reality. He acts on whims, not on facts. He is so immersed in his own grandiosity, he is unable to do the right thing. If he has the nerve to veto, it will send out the message that he sure is putting America on the way to totalitarianism!
3
I hope this doesn't mean the USA is going to stop interfering in elections.
6
The Alex Jones-type media gets boosted with hypocrisy!
1
So punishment is meted out BEFORE an investigation is complete? And still no acknowledgement of the hypocrisy involved here.
"But while Americans feel justifiably angry at alleged interference with their political process, they have also been handed a mirror, and the reflection should disturb them. For the US is a world leader in the field of intervening in the internal affairs of other countries."
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/05/americans-spot-ele...
"But while Americans feel justifiably angry at alleged interference with their political process, they have also been handed a mirror, and the reflection should disturb them. For the US is a world leader in the field of intervening in the internal affairs of other countries."
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jan/05/americans-spot-ele...
5
It seems it'll take the US a war of some sort to tackle their spreading internal infighting, and the good news for any challenger is that the next presidential election campaign seems a good-enough opportunity to start a war with the US
2020 is the perfect time to wreck global havoc
2020 is the perfect time to wreck global havoc
There is no"tough choice" for Trump. He must veto the bill and force the Congress to override him. Anything else is a capitulation that he, Trump, is subservient to Congress and will do as they ask. That isn't Trump.
3
This is the results of the Citizens United decision coming home to roost. There is so much money in our electoral system from sources that are untraceable that it's now time to reverse this horrible decision of the SCOTUS.
One person, one vote has been destroyed. Another nation or person(s) that have the cash can overwhelm a majority of voters. Throw in a corrupt candidate like Trump who is used to manipulating money and what do you have? A totally corrupt election process. We're back to what this country was fighting when we were formed.
This is an outright threat to our democracy, plain and simple. We'll see if the GOP can help steer this crisis in the right direction to solve it. I'm not confident because their party is corrupt itself.
One person, one vote has been destroyed. Another nation or person(s) that have the cash can overwhelm a majority of voters. Throw in a corrupt candidate like Trump who is used to manipulating money and what do you have? A totally corrupt election process. We're back to what this country was fighting when we were formed.
This is an outright threat to our democracy, plain and simple. We'll see if the GOP can help steer this crisis in the right direction to solve it. I'm not confident because their party is corrupt itself.
10
If the Republican leadership of Congress fails to act responsibly and continues to let Trump drag the country down into a Russian trap, they deserve to be replaced along with their caucus members.
3
Are they serious.? Talking to Russians is now a mortal sin, say the Dems. They are also against Uber and Amazon. New ways of doing things are their nemesis.
They are brain dead with anger. The New Deal is a dead idea, from 1933.
They are brain dead with anger. The New Deal is a dead idea, from 1933.
7
But, but, I thought it was Amazon that owned the evil Washington Post! Get your story straight. I love the way the Washington Post pulls off the covers and watches the Trump cockroaches scuttling for darkness.
2
President Trump will sign the sanctions but the unfounded and unproven charges of collusion will not end. For decades democrats have campaigned for better relations with the then evil empire, the Soviet Union! Under the Bush and Obama administrations, both attempted better relations ; then Secretary of State Clinton State department approved the sale of uranium to Russia and her husband received 500,000 USC for a speech in Moscow. No charges of collusion or contacting foreign agents were ever echoed in Washington! What happened? Trump became president and Hillary fanatics can not accept she lost! They can not phantom that despite a commanding lead in the polls, media bias and a billion dollar campaign , she lost traditional blue states; she lost blue collar workers; she lost 50 % of white college educated women; she lost Sander's voters and the Obama coalition. The rabid supporters can not accept she lost to a subpar candidate and refuse to lay the blame on her. Blaming the Russians exonerates her lost and creates the narrative that her presidency was stolen. In the current climate a new McCarthyism has evolved in which anyone knowing, speaking and having contact with any Russian is accused of being a quisling !
6
A history lesson for Mr. Trump is apt here. Just like he did not understand the nuclear triad, he is just as dim on the tripartite structure of the American government. The Presidency is just one third of that power structure. Belly aching about his "flexibility being weakened" is code for: 'just do what I want!' You might remember that the mainstream GOP did not want Trump as their leader. Reigning him in has been their quest. A 'strong man' who can't get anything done is not 'strong.' As Putin's errand boy, Trump will definitely have some "splaining to do" in their next pillow talk ("So these are the congressmen who offended you, little Don?!). On the other hand, the sanctions offer the GOP congress some public redemption after their naked attempt to usurp health car; Congress riding to our rescue over the traitorous President. The GOP historically deflects to foreign policy after bombing domestically. Of course, if their deliberations are tempered by worries over hurting corporate profits, their intentions are somewhat disingenuous. Trump needs to show on which side his bread is buttered. If feeling imperious, he'll roll the dice.
Russia deserves to be sanctioned into humiliation. Economic power is the only American weapon they cannot counter. Putin knows that. Trump wants hotel deals in Russia. This should have been easier than it's playing out for those star crossed lovers. Congress' intentions are not as clear as they seem and Trump can't resist taking the bait.
Russia deserves to be sanctioned into humiliation. Economic power is the only American weapon they cannot counter. Putin knows that. Trump wants hotel deals in Russia. This should have been easier than it's playing out for those star crossed lovers. Congress' intentions are not as clear as they seem and Trump can't resist taking the bait.
6
It is refreshing to see Congress come together and act on the interests of America and Not Party.
2
You just know Trump will figure out some hare-brained way to take credit for this. He'll tweet it and the Mooch will help explain why.
2
enough russia!
if half the effort the republicans made to nullify obama's presidency and the same measure for the far more comprehensive crusade against trump by the other side (named, but not recognizable as, democrats) the country would be able and engaged in the fights it needs to fight to "promote the general Welfare."
alas, it's not, the question begged is "why not?"
the easy answer is "corruption"...the special interest, not the general Welfare, has the attention and loyalty of the congress, (say what you will about the executive), from its election (men and women of scant gifts and, so, easily managed, rather beholden than proprietary) to its conduct of affairs (their bills are written by their handlers and scarcely read by any of them).
included are, or have been, a man from ohio who rose to 3rd in the line of succession to the presidency, known best for elevating the quality of debate with his thoughtful and eloquent "hell, no!" and, across the aisle, from connecticut, one who leads the "liar, liar" charge against the present potus and yet allowed himself the grace of "misspoke" when he lied about his military service.
the disgraceful behavior of both parties on health care will stand in history as an example of laziness, ineptitude and distraction that defines their subversion of our ideal of government, for by and (drum roll), of the people.
reform?: start by tossing 'em out...term limits, four years for congress, six for senate, no re-elections.
if half the effort the republicans made to nullify obama's presidency and the same measure for the far more comprehensive crusade against trump by the other side (named, but not recognizable as, democrats) the country would be able and engaged in the fights it needs to fight to "promote the general Welfare."
alas, it's not, the question begged is "why not?"
the easy answer is "corruption"...the special interest, not the general Welfare, has the attention and loyalty of the congress, (say what you will about the executive), from its election (men and women of scant gifts and, so, easily managed, rather beholden than proprietary) to its conduct of affairs (their bills are written by their handlers and scarcely read by any of them).
included are, or have been, a man from ohio who rose to 3rd in the line of succession to the presidency, known best for elevating the quality of debate with his thoughtful and eloquent "hell, no!" and, across the aisle, from connecticut, one who leads the "liar, liar" charge against the present potus and yet allowed himself the grace of "misspoke" when he lied about his military service.
the disgraceful behavior of both parties on health care will stand in history as an example of laziness, ineptitude and distraction that defines their subversion of our ideal of government, for by and (drum roll), of the people.
reform?: start by tossing 'em out...term limits, four years for congress, six for senate, no re-elections.
5
ecco- perfect name for someone with your lack of insight, curiosity, patriotism, and basic common sense.
your argument is ridiculous. that's like saying, why didn't we invade finland after 9/11? they're a country that has a % of people that don't like the usa and a few have even gone to flight training school. how do we know they didn't do it?
your argument is ridiculous. that's like saying, why didn't we invade finland after 9/11? they're a country that has a % of people that don't like the usa and a few have even gone to flight training school. how do we know they didn't do it?
1
An idea whose time has some!
I'd also like to see the dissolution of the two party system. Neither the Dems nor the GOP can truthfully represent the various factions across the spectrum of their constituencies. Smaller, more focused political parties would force there to be coalition governments rather than the low grade of sausage legislators and the special interests that are supposed to be generically "red" or "blue." Collaboration would be more important than conformity. In the present schema Bernie would never get the nod over the corporate democrats. Coalitions across civic issues rather than identity politics might drain the swamp, so to speak.
I'd also like to see the dissolution of the two party system. Neither the Dems nor the GOP can truthfully represent the various factions across the spectrum of their constituencies. Smaller, more focused political parties would force there to be coalition governments rather than the low grade of sausage legislators and the special interests that are supposed to be generically "red" or "blue." Collaboration would be more important than conformity. In the present schema Bernie would never get the nod over the corporate democrats. Coalitions across civic issues rather than identity politics might drain the swamp, so to speak.
As usual, Congress is making a grandstanding ass of itself. Sanctions are counterproductive.
4
I agree. What next, invasion of 3 countries?
He'll drop the veto threat for a big tax cut.... and then he won't enforce the sanctions on the Rooskies....
The Art of the Swindle....
The Art of the Swindle....
7
Are you now or have you ever been a Russian?
4
Some time back, like last year maybe, I read that Trump was frustrated by the fact that he wasn't doing too well in his efforts to establish his "Brand" in Russia. Stalling, long bureaucratic waits, seeming lack of enthusiasm on the part of the Russians, were thwarting him -- or so it was said, whatever.
Well, it is quite possible that the most significant barrier that Trump faced trying to do business in Russia is the fact that he doesn't drink. Other than that, why would the Russian mobsters let him in when they didn't need him?
Trump's present "Russian Connection," however, is not about building high-rise structures with his name on them. Rather, it is about geopolitical machinations. Somewhere along the line, Putin realized that Trump is a useful idiot. Trump, for his part, has played the sycophant to Putin every bit as thoroughly as Chris Christie has played the sycophant to Trump.
Well, it is quite possible that the most significant barrier that Trump faced trying to do business in Russia is the fact that he doesn't drink. Other than that, why would the Russian mobsters let him in when they didn't need him?
Trump's present "Russian Connection," however, is not about building high-rise structures with his name on them. Rather, it is about geopolitical machinations. Somewhere along the line, Putin realized that Trump is a useful idiot. Trump, for his part, has played the sycophant to Putin every bit as thoroughly as Chris Christie has played the sycophant to Trump.
2
US leadership has gone total berserk!
The myopia of it's leaders will oneday create disaster in the country.
The real vicious enemy and danger of the world is radical sunni/wahhabi islam. The numbers of radical followers are increasing in both sides of the Atlantic. But the world is neglecting this upcoming danger.
Radical sunni Muslims preach tolerance untill they have large number. Then they will demand Shari'ah or Islamic medieval jurisprudence in their majority neighborhood. Just look at Michigan or Mineapolis or in London.
If Western politians specially the Liberals, are intentionally blind to this, the whole western free society will collapse and perish.
But no they are too busy to punish Russia, to defeat China, to witch hunt moderate Shi'ite Muslim and progressive country Iran.
It is open secret that both Saudi and Qataris have funded Jihadi ideology and terror. But anyhow US will support those countries.
We should forge an alliance against radical Islam rather than fighting each other, otherwise in next generations radical Islam will bring the fight to our doorsteps the way it's followers are increasing in the western society sneakily.
The myopia of it's leaders will oneday create disaster in the country.
The real vicious enemy and danger of the world is radical sunni/wahhabi islam. The numbers of radical followers are increasing in both sides of the Atlantic. But the world is neglecting this upcoming danger.
Radical sunni Muslims preach tolerance untill they have large number. Then they will demand Shari'ah or Islamic medieval jurisprudence in their majority neighborhood. Just look at Michigan or Mineapolis or in London.
If Western politians specially the Liberals, are intentionally blind to this, the whole western free society will collapse and perish.
But no they are too busy to punish Russia, to defeat China, to witch hunt moderate Shi'ite Muslim and progressive country Iran.
It is open secret that both Saudi and Qataris have funded Jihadi ideology and terror. But anyhow US will support those countries.
We should forge an alliance against radical Islam rather than fighting each other, otherwise in next generations radical Islam will bring the fight to our doorsteps the way it's followers are increasing in the western society sneakily.
6
I upvoted your answer even though I disagree with some of what you said.
Russia meddling with our election is an immediate threat to our democracy (and I realize that Republicans have been threatening our democracy for some time through gerrymandering and actively eroding voting rights to suit themselves). So is the threat of North Korea's missile testing and insane leadership.
But, while Iran has supported terrorism of its own, I believe you are right to say that it pales in comparison to what has been done with Saudi support. Don't believe that liberals are not very aware that Trump's travel bans don't include the Saudis. And I am not in favor of the travel bans at all. Oil and hotel sites buy a lot of hearts and minds.
I have never had the pleasure of visiting Iran, but I have had many Iranian friends and have read several good things about Iran's people.
It is too easy and dangerous for many to demonize entire countries or religions. There are a lot of very good people in every corner of the world. Everywhere it seems Governments take care of their own narrow interests before those of the people they govern.
Russia meddling with our election is an immediate threat to our democracy (and I realize that Republicans have been threatening our democracy for some time through gerrymandering and actively eroding voting rights to suit themselves). So is the threat of North Korea's missile testing and insane leadership.
But, while Iran has supported terrorism of its own, I believe you are right to say that it pales in comparison to what has been done with Saudi support. Don't believe that liberals are not very aware that Trump's travel bans don't include the Saudis. And I am not in favor of the travel bans at all. Oil and hotel sites buy a lot of hearts and minds.
I have never had the pleasure of visiting Iran, but I have had many Iranian friends and have read several good things about Iran's people.
It is too easy and dangerous for many to demonize entire countries or religions. There are a lot of very good people in every corner of the world. Everywhere it seems Governments take care of their own narrow interests before those of the people they govern.
1
A "Democracy" ruled by a religious establishment with absolute veto power over the vox populi -- that's rich!
Russians are a much bigger threat to the US, and to world peace, than any number of Sunnis, or Shiites for that matter.
3
Why Iran? The only democracy in the Middle East outside Israel?
We should have added Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria to that mix. Especially the Saudis, who are actively engaged with their Wahabbist fanatics in fighting against "American interests," including giving refuge to the people who were responsbile for 9/11.
The Iranians don't cut people's heads off, or even their limbs. They don't have cells of fanatics in the States. They don't have nutcase mullahs yammering "Death to America" in their mosques. They don't have waves of people driving car bombs into crowds of people. They don't have one wealthy family controlling the entire country, living like, well, kings, while everyone else goes a-begging, as in Saudi Arabia.
The truth is we've always been backing the wrong people in the Middle East because (to borrow from Willie Sutton) that's where the oil is.
Whether we like it or not, Iran is, and will alwasy be, a major player in the region. Their people are the best educated, most innovative, most pro-American (at the street level), of just about anyone in the Middle East and we continually demonize them, like Pavlov's dog.
We should have added Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria to that mix. Especially the Saudis, who are actively engaged with their Wahabbist fanatics in fighting against "American interests," including giving refuge to the people who were responsbile for 9/11.
The Iranians don't cut people's heads off, or even their limbs. They don't have cells of fanatics in the States. They don't have nutcase mullahs yammering "Death to America" in their mosques. They don't have waves of people driving car bombs into crowds of people. They don't have one wealthy family controlling the entire country, living like, well, kings, while everyone else goes a-begging, as in Saudi Arabia.
The truth is we've always been backing the wrong people in the Middle East because (to borrow from Willie Sutton) that's where the oil is.
Whether we like it or not, Iran is, and will alwasy be, a major player in the region. Their people are the best educated, most innovative, most pro-American (at the street level), of just about anyone in the Middle East and we continually demonize them, like Pavlov's dog.
10
I erred in posting this reply to the wrong comment, that of "Ibrahim," two comments posted more recently above his one. Mea culpa. So, here goes another try --
Iran cannot be considered a "Democracy" as long as the will of its people can be thwarted by the religious establishment (the mullahs).
Iran cannot be considered a "Democracy" as long as the will of its people can be thwarted by the religious establishment (the mullahs).
1
He may veto the bill and grease the skids for his impeachment. Someone will get to him and explain why he must assert himself against Congressional meddling. It wouldn't surprise me if the Russians overplay their hand with this fool. I wonder what their advice will be about firing Mueller. Absolutely incredible what this nonentity is doing. Meanwhile he packs the Courts with candidates that may represent about a fifth of the American people. If they only knew.
7
This was a scam from the beginning.
I'm serious. Donald and Darth Vader, and his son-in-law probably, plotted the whole scenario. Including the use of the presidential pardon to get out of jail free.
Brilliant.
To a point. That point being the first sign of an awakening on the GOP side of things by joining the Dems in imposing sanctions on Pootie et all (bet that's where all the stolen $ will end up: someplace where only Pootie can get to it.
So it's time to ground the Presidential jet. Why?
You don't want our favorite President et all flying to Poland to celebrate the return of fascism there only to slip into the limo that Pootie will use to hie himself to the airport along with his best buds Trump and Darth to carry them away to Russia and "freedom".
My money (and there ain't much of it) sex Melania will remain in Trump tower with their progeny.
I'm serious. Donald and Darth Vader, and his son-in-law probably, plotted the whole scenario. Including the use of the presidential pardon to get out of jail free.
Brilliant.
To a point. That point being the first sign of an awakening on the GOP side of things by joining the Dems in imposing sanctions on Pootie et all (bet that's where all the stolen $ will end up: someplace where only Pootie can get to it.
So it's time to ground the Presidential jet. Why?
You don't want our favorite President et all flying to Poland to celebrate the return of fascism there only to slip into the limo that Pootie will use to hie himself to the airport along with his best buds Trump and Darth to carry them away to Russia and "freedom".
My money (and there ain't much of it) sex Melania will remain in Trump tower with their progeny.
3
Is this the spoiler to "House of Cards" season 6?
1
And all this time the RNC and DNC Politburos (along with New York City's mass-media central) thought they had control of the means and message to control the outcome of the election. Then along came Trump, nuked all the RNC Politburo favorites, and Putin, so we're told by the NSA leakers, nuked Hillary, a DNC standby-your-man favorite.
No wonder they're all out for blood, including the CIA and the Marxists at broadcast media corporate, of course,
No wonder they're all out for blood, including the CIA and the Marxists at broadcast media corporate, of course,
5
So this was the Trump-Russia deal--dirt on Clinton, massive fake news attacks--in exchange for lifting of sanctions on Russian human rights violators.
That is the greatest evil of the Trumpski administration. It is treason. Altering vital US policies for a payoff from a foreign enemy dictator.
That is the greatest evil of the Trumpski administration. It is treason. Altering vital US policies for a payoff from a foreign enemy dictator.
9
Hopefully the beginning of the Dump Trump initiative. The system works.
3
Why would trump go against
a friend, putin, who has dirty
secrets hanging over trump's
head like sword?
a friend, putin, who has dirty
secrets hanging over trump's
head like sword?
6
Donald, your party just slapped you in the face. Apparently, they think you have not been forthcoming about Russia too. Talk about Freudian. Now, if we could only achieve breakthrough with your base supporters. If you sign a Republican health care bill, we may just have the blunt object we need to impress them.
4
Look, this is a good article about an important topic. But why isn't the NYT addressing WaPo's story that Sessions actually did talk conspiratorially with Kislyak, according to US spies? Are you trying to confirm it? Do you have a bigger scoop? What's going on? This story has been addressed by CNN and even by Fox. I'm waiting for an in-depth report from the NYT!
4
Two thoughts just crossed my mind:
Wonder if there IS that back channel that Kushner was trying to set up so that Donald et al could communicate with their Ruskie buddies to discuss THIS situation.
This is what happens when America gets caught up in a frenzy of ideological voting on empty rhetoric, and then expects that the guy who they supported to actually have a policy or understand the world situation. While I can applaud the Congress for actually coming to work on this issue, it pains me that we actually are getting excited about them doing their job.
Wonder if there IS that back channel that Kushner was trying to set up so that Donald et al could communicate with their Ruskie buddies to discuss THIS situation.
This is what happens when America gets caught up in a frenzy of ideological voting on empty rhetoric, and then expects that the guy who they supported to actually have a policy or understand the world situation. While I can applaud the Congress for actually coming to work on this issue, it pains me that we actually are getting excited about them doing their job.
5
Good thoughts. The congressional committee should ask Kushner under oath if indeed he or others did set up that back channel (or channels) after all. Then he faces possibly perjuring himself.
1
I believe the article forgot to mention Trump's and Putin's dinner conversation at the G20 meeting in which the Liar in Chief said they discusses adoptions (code for sanctions).
3
I guess tRump will have to sign the bill and, then, send Putin a cute "I'm Sorry" card. Hahahahaha!
4
Even republicans will act against treason, Benedict Donald is soon to go to prison or like his namesake to the enemy's capitol.
PROSECUTE RUSSIAGATE!
PROSECUTE RUSSIAGATE!
3
Leave it up to the cast of Republican idiots in Congress to buy the democrat lie, hook line and sinker, and pass a bill that undermines the executive's power and is clearly unconstitutional. The executive's authority to veto can not be usurped or limited through legislation as such powers are carved into the constitution, written in stone. Trump should veto the bill and if it is over ridden, the Supreme Court will declare it unconstitutional. Stay tuned.
1
Trump is an idiot, sorry there is no conspiracy against him. Stupid is what stupid does.
2
So I can assume you believe the various War Power acts are unconstitutional
1
Steve you are confused about the Constitution and the President's veto power.
The Congressional power to override a veto is ALSO enshrined in the Constitution.
Previous sanction bills have allowed the President to loosen sanctions when he decides they have been successful in ensuring compliance.
Just because THIS sanction bill does not grant that right does not usurp any Presidential powers.
It just means Donnie is not the one to decide when sanctions are to be lifted.
The Congressional power to override a veto is ALSO enshrined in the Constitution.
Previous sanction bills have allowed the President to loosen sanctions when he decides they have been successful in ensuring compliance.
Just because THIS sanction bill does not grant that right does not usurp any Presidential powers.
It just means Donnie is not the one to decide when sanctions are to be lifted.
1
Keep focusing on Russia, where the evidence of any real election meddling is shaky at best, and completely ignore the actions of the traitors in this country who put trump in office.
You know, the DEMOCRATS, who "elevated" trump in the media as a "pied piper" candidate . The DEMOCRATS, who rigged the primary election every step of the way to ensure Mrs. Her Turn got a smooth sailing straight into the White House. There's plenty of evidence of election fraud and rigging for the democratic primary thanks to the report by election justice USA, however the useless cowards in media (the NYT in particular, who's slanted coverage of Bernie made me forever cancel my membership) refuse to report on the third rail of politics. They would rather us march into WW3 with an old weak foe than hold their politician friend's feet to the fire.
Why? It's all about the access to the democrat party for the reporters careers. The revolving door of political incest in DC cannot be stopped.
You know, the DEMOCRATS, who "elevated" trump in the media as a "pied piper" candidate . The DEMOCRATS, who rigged the primary election every step of the way to ensure Mrs. Her Turn got a smooth sailing straight into the White House. There's plenty of evidence of election fraud and rigging for the democratic primary thanks to the report by election justice USA, however the useless cowards in media (the NYT in particular, who's slanted coverage of Bernie made me forever cancel my membership) refuse to report on the third rail of politics. They would rather us march into WW3 with an old weak foe than hold their politician friend's feet to the fire.
Why? It's all about the access to the democrat party for the reporters careers. The revolving door of political incest in DC cannot be stopped.
5
Trump needs to learn the difference between King and President.
6
Finally, getting some guts to deal with this RED MENACE. Our nation comes first no matter how traitorous this president or those who continue to blindly support this treason and the undermining of our laws and the Constitution. It is about time this Congress show the world it will not tolerate any attack or any subterfuge against America.
5
And yet democrats are the ones who fight for the wave of immigrants who inevitably will contain terrorists. Russia is dangerous to our diplomatic interests. Immigration will be a danger to our safety.
5
You seem to forget the real threat of over a thousand nuclear warheads Russia has pointed at the US.
2
And who is asking for foreign labor to run Mar Lago, not asking for local workers, but Trump asking for immigrants. Makes clothing with foreign labor, same with Ivanka, and now, slapping the very people who support him requesting foreign labor. Hypocrisy!
2
Now that GOPers have acted decently after many, many, years, they should expect the paranoid schizophrenic to unleash his tweeting fury defending his master puppeteer. He will cal them meanies. How dare they defy his imperial paranoid wishes of protecting his owner. Meanies, meanies, all of them. They won’t be ‘pardoned’ when the time comes.
3
Just beginning to distance themselves from the smoke in case there's a real fire there.
4
Please stop calling what Russia did to our last election meddling. It was a major series of crimes and warlike acts. And our current "president" either colluded with Russia before, during, or after the fact.
Meddling sounds like the Aunt who is hoping her niece marries a certain young man and keeps dropping hints and inviting him over.
Meddling sounds like the Aunt who is hoping her niece marries a certain young man and keeps dropping hints and inviting him over.
9
I don't think there's such a thing as a "tough choice" for a raving lunatic.
2
We all know Trump and Russia colluded.
There is only one answer for treason.
There is only one answer for treason.
3
Finally!!
3
The White House belongs to the American people. The House of Trump is temporarily occupying the property while minting and making millions for the personal and family profitable benefit of their barbarian viper clan. Congress is defying the Kremlin and the Trump towers, resorts and golf courses but not our White House.
5
Never before in the history of this Great Nation has a president of the United States toadied to a foreign despot.
7
What about HRC, the huge Saudi contributions to her campaign, and her history of actions favorable to Saudi interests?
1
Finally, the Republicans are returning to sanity. I have been amazed that they stood by while President Trump acted like a lapdog to President Putin.
7
It's about time we start getting serious about the biggest treat to America since it's founding, a President and his gang of thugs intent on dismantling a democracy that took a couple centuries to establish.
12
Right about now Putin is wondering what's the point of coopting a person and them making the POTUS if they can't do anything for you...?
5
how about we start with sanctions against the white house and trump inc??
12
Trump is so corrupt that this does not pose a problem for him. He can veto the bill with his usual nonsense. It would be overriden. He can do what Bush routinely did. Sign the bill with "signing statements," basically ignoring the intent of the bill.
The entire Congress and Senate are in danger of violation of their "sacred oath of office." "To protect and defend from all enemies domestic and foreign..."
Republicans always operate under the simple proposition that it may be heinous, vial, venal, disgusting, abhorent or immoral. "But it's not illegal."
The entire Congress and Senate are in danger of violation of their "sacred oath of office." "To protect and defend from all enemies domestic and foreign..."
Republicans always operate under the simple proposition that it may be heinous, vial, venal, disgusting, abhorent or immoral. "But it's not illegal."
6
It's no surprise that aspiring countries like Poland and Turkey are becoming less democratic. If the US votes in Trump and doesn't stand up for democracy: independent judges and judiciary, free media, democratic opponents, etc. why should any other country? This is one dark side of electing Trump: he doesn't care enough to stand up for these democratic ideals.
Hitler might as well have won WWII because Trump's non-support of democracy is exactly what the corporate fascists of Germany and other countries were aiming for back in the 30s and 40s.
Another dark side? All those millions of American deaths and soldier injuries suffered in foreign wars since World War I - WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and many others - to build a democratic world, were for naught. Donald Trump is negating all that work and blood, sweat and tears. I don't think that's what voters voted for last fall.
If America is not going to stand up for democracy and democratic institutions, who will?
Hitler might as well have won WWII because Trump's non-support of democracy is exactly what the corporate fascists of Germany and other countries were aiming for back in the 30s and 40s.
Another dark side? All those millions of American deaths and soldier injuries suffered in foreign wars since World War I - WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and many others - to build a democratic world, were for naught. Donald Trump is negating all that work and blood, sweat and tears. I don't think that's what voters voted for last fall.
If America is not going to stand up for democracy and democratic institutions, who will?
12
Nonsense comment. Trump is constantly asserting the value of law and precedent. Look at the effort his team is putting into researching the precedents of the Nixon administration and his commitment to constitutional law regarding pardons.
1
Time to choose, Donald. America or Russia, which one do YOU make great again? Choose wisely.
10
Too much Russia did him in.
1
How odd. Not one discussion on the concomitant effect the sanctions will have on America's agreement with the Iran Nuclear deal, or the fact Iran is fighting the same enemy, Isis in both Iraq and Syria. Saudi and Sunnis at large fund Al Qaeda and Isis. What part of those facts escape America's policymakers? Not Trump Inc., they are thinking of the hotel endgame for themselves.
Looks like it's going to be another poor idea of the Neocons taking root. What's next? Invade Iran because Russia and North Korea already have nukes? Given Trump's abysmal polls a war sounds like just the thing this imploding administration might do: Wag the Dog Part II.
Looks like it's going to be another poor idea of the Neocons taking root. What's next? Invade Iran because Russia and North Korea already have nukes? Given Trump's abysmal polls a war sounds like just the thing this imploding administration might do: Wag the Dog Part II.
4
It is about time!
2
Reassuring.
1
OK, Deal-maker - deal...
Tell - actually, suggest to, ever so politely - Congress to put Obamacare repeal and Russian sanctions into the same bill...
The swamp revels in gridlock - while they and their ilk skim economic and personal opportunity right off the top of the economy's deck...
Time for a little gridlock trouble in DC...
Tell - actually, suggest to, ever so politely - Congress to put Obamacare repeal and Russian sanctions into the same bill...
The swamp revels in gridlock - while they and their ilk skim economic and personal opportunity right off the top of the economy's deck...
Time for a little gridlock trouble in DC...
Can't do it. Health care legislation has to be done as a budget reconciliation or it's subject to filibuster
1
If the House passes this bill by a veto-proof majority Trump will have basically no choice but to sign it and claim that he somehow supports it so it is a win for him. If he vetoes this bill and Congress overrides his veto, that would clearly be a huge loss for Trump. Many people think that Trump is bold, but he is really just an approval-seeking coward. Having a veto overturned by a Republican-controlled Congress would be his biggest loss to date and being a loser is the worst outcome in Trump's world.
In many ways this is the most significant development of the Trump presidency to date. That a Republican Congress would put a president from their own party in such a position is extraordinary. I wonder if Trump and his advisors truly understand the gravity of a Congress of his own party that openly defies his will.
In many ways this is the most significant development of the Trump presidency to date. That a Republican Congress would put a president from their own party in such a position is extraordinary. I wonder if Trump and his advisors truly understand the gravity of a Congress of his own party that openly defies his will.
9
veto-proof agreement between Dems/Reps? - must be a Putin conspiracy
Why sanction Russia? Putin, he's a good guy, great dictator, the best. Kind of guy you want to talk to at dinner, two, maybe three times, he's so much fun!
6
Russian sanctions will not change internal US politics. They will continue building a new era of Cold wars globally.
Sanctions are not about democracy - they are about power and dominance. And this is sad
Sanctions are not about democracy - they are about power and dominance. And this is sad
2
It seems like every time I see the list of Russia's fairly recent transgressions, the downing of flight MH17 is not mentioned. Why is that? It is my understanding that the missile and the launcher were both Russian. Further, there is clear evidence that the launcher and missile were moved from Russian soil, to eastern Ukraine, used to bring down the MH17, and moved back to Russian soil. As I recall, timestamped photos of Russian soldiers in front of the launcher, while still in Russia, were uploaded by said soldiers to social media. While it may be possible that a Russian soldier did not push the "fire" button, the Russians certainly seemed to be involved.
I am not suggesting that the deaths of the MH17 passengers and crew are more important than the deaths of Ukrainians and others killed in this conflict. But, I am suggesting that this important event should be mentioned along with, "interference in the election", "annexation of Crimea", etc.
I am not suggesting that the deaths of the MH17 passengers and crew are more important than the deaths of Ukrainians and others killed in this conflict. But, I am suggesting that this important event should be mentioned along with, "interference in the election", "annexation of Crimea", etc.
6
A few more details would be nice. What's the name of the bill? Who sponsored the bill? Are these amendments to an existing bill? What are the proposed sanctions to each of the three countries?
This article is long on quotes and possible repercussions for the Trump administration, but short on real information-- it reads like an over-the-fence conversation between neighbors who agree politically.
Some people still want facts, not suggestions.
This article is long on quotes and possible repercussions for the Trump administration, but short on real information-- it reads like an over-the-fence conversation between neighbors who agree politically.
Some people still want facts, not suggestions.
3
Here is Noam Chomsky's take on the matter: ":The United States doesn’t just interfere in elections. It overthrows governments it doesn’t like, institutes military dictatorships. Simply in the case of Russia alone—it’s the least of it—the U.S. government, under Clinton, intervened quite blatantly and openly, then tried to conceal it, to get their man Yeltsin in, in all sorts of ways. So this, as I say, it’s considered—it’s turning the United States, again, into a laughingstock in the world. So why are the Democrats focusing on this? In fact, why are they focusing so much attention on the one element of Trump’s programs which is fairly reasonable, the one ray of light in this gloom: trying to reduce tensions with Russia? The tensions on the Russian border are extremely serious. They could escalate to a major terminal war. Efforts to try to reduce them should be welcomed. Just a couple of days ago, the former U.S. ambassador to Russia, Jack Matlock, came out and said he just can’t believe that so much attention is being paid to apparent efforts by the incoming administration to establish connections with Russia. 'Sure,' he said, 'that’s just what they ought to be doing.' ."
6
In my view, it's fine to run on a platform that calls for changing America's posture toward Russia. It is not OK to omit information on NSA forms, or obtain campaign opposition research from a foreign adversary (even tacitly). If the Trump campaign knew that Russia planned to release information through wikileaks in a way so as to help the Trump campaign, and they never discussed this with the FBI, it's wrong. We should expect that election meddling from foriegn adversaries will happen, we should never be OK with a campaign accepting assistance, and we should always be critical about why the foreign adversary prefers one candidate over another, which appears to be the case with Trump.
2
The extraordinary thing about the Trump crisis is that the country is able to carry on without a functioning presidency. Congress, e.g. the Russia sanctions bill, has had to step in and assume the executive role. Having Trump in the a White House is equivalent to having no one at all. Indeed, most executive office jobs are unfilled and will probably never be filled. Let Trump spend his time tweeting and playing golf and let the adults in the room, Congress and perhaps Tillerson and Matis, make policy.
5
This is Republican non-admission of guilt remedy for supporting Trump at all cost in order to preserve party and big money agenda. Americans can see through the thin veil of hatred and fear to the true self serving agenda of a president making deals for himself at the expense of Americans. These sanctions are more on Trump power than on Russia and symbolize the turn to true patriotism and responsibility that people sent people to Washington to preserve and uphold. This may well be a precursor of things to come in bringing Trump to justice.
6
No mention of Iran in this article. Why are we imposing new sanctions on Iran. Have they violated the agreement? Are Democrats throwing them under the bus?
Will more sanctions change North Korea's behavior? So far the more aggressive we are with North Korea, the faster they move on their nuclear program. Will going back on the Iran deal encourage North Korea to move faster?
Can we think about more than one issue at a time in this country?
Will more sanctions change North Korea's behavior? So far the more aggressive we are with North Korea, the faster they move on their nuclear program. Will going back on the Iran deal encourage North Korea to move faster?
Can we think about more than one issue at a time in this country?
1
So all Trump has to do to lift any sanctions is provide "alternative facts", or lie.
All the while not complying with the part of the law wherein he identify the appropriate targets for these new sanctions.
Does anyone believe that this Republican Congress would hold Trump accountable?
All the while not complying with the part of the law wherein he identify the appropriate targets for these new sanctions.
Does anyone believe that this Republican Congress would hold Trump accountable?
3
Not much changed since yesterday it seems, except maybe the volume of the vitriol has gone up.
Unfortunately, what is missing is the realisation, that all this brouhaha is self-delusional; that US sanctions don't matter. They're counter-productive, hurt the US economy more, than the targeted 'foes'; they accelerate the decline of the US' clout.
In Iran, the EU simply replaces everything that could/would/should have helped US businesses. Same for Russia, where the sanctions' effect is barely noticeable, particularly in light of the growing cooperation and coordination with China. If anything, they will only help the domestic economy to become even more self-reliant. As for North-Korea, the only people who can (and will) make a difference are the South Koreans, but even there, the US' involvement is superfluous.
Remember Sen. Al Franken's wonderful skit on SNL ('the daily affirmation with Stuart Smiley')?
It seems that the entire US political establishment is practising it: "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough ans doggone it, everybody likes me'.
Unfortunately, what is missing is the realisation, that all this brouhaha is self-delusional; that US sanctions don't matter. They're counter-productive, hurt the US economy more, than the targeted 'foes'; they accelerate the decline of the US' clout.
In Iran, the EU simply replaces everything that could/would/should have helped US businesses. Same for Russia, where the sanctions' effect is barely noticeable, particularly in light of the growing cooperation and coordination with China. If anything, they will only help the domestic economy to become even more self-reliant. As for North-Korea, the only people who can (and will) make a difference are the South Koreans, but even there, the US' involvement is superfluous.
Remember Sen. Al Franken's wonderful skit on SNL ('the daily affirmation with Stuart Smiley')?
It seems that the entire US political establishment is practising it: "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough ans doggone it, everybody likes me'.
4
I am thrilled by this bill. Not that I'm so enthralled with punishing Russia for their misbehavior, but I can hardly recall our leaders in Washington even trying to do anything constructive. The congress is trying to do something good in the world! My relief truly astonishes me, and makes me all the more aware of how discouraged I've become.
Hopefully this is a harbinger of things to come. The president has proven himself to not be a leader and to have virtually no ability to govern; congress must take over if the country is to move ahead.
Hopefully this is a harbinger of things to come. The president has proven himself to not be a leader and to have virtually no ability to govern; congress must take over if the country is to move ahead.
5
So does Exxon/Tillerson/Russia oil and gas company care?? Either way they win since the planet is under the rule of the fossil fuel industry and their bankers?
2
There have been sanctions on Russia for decades, even long before the breakup of the USSR. The article said the House "tweaked" the Senate version. LOL! All the Senate did was "tweak" earlier versions, and this new tweaking won't amount to a hill of beans, anyway. Have the Russians been quaking in their boots since the 70's because of our sanctions? Just the latest chapter in the Cold War that never really ended, except now we just say "Russians" instead of "commies" - even though that is what we actually mean.
2
Two words for you NYT: Pocket. Veto.
From what I understand this bill has been in the Senate since either Jan. or Feb. You think the timing of this coming right before the August recess is coincidence?
Here's what's going to happen. Congress will vote to pass. They'll hold press conferences showing they're tough on Russia. Trump won't sign it, and if anyone has any control over him (they don't), he won't say anything about it either. 10 days will magically pass, the bill will be sent back to Congress for a 2/3rds majority override... but, oh wait! They're not in session anymore! Oh well! At least they tried right?
The bill dies, Trump gets what he wants, and the Congress gets to say they did something. Good news all around for everyone but the American people.
From what I understand this bill has been in the Senate since either Jan. or Feb. You think the timing of this coming right before the August recess is coincidence?
Here's what's going to happen. Congress will vote to pass. They'll hold press conferences showing they're tough on Russia. Trump won't sign it, and if anyone has any control over him (they don't), he won't say anything about it either. 10 days will magically pass, the bill will be sent back to Congress for a 2/3rds majority override... but, oh wait! They're not in session anymore! Oh well! At least they tried right?
The bill dies, Trump gets what he wants, and the Congress gets to say they did something. Good news all around for everyone but the American people.
22
It's too soon for a president to exercise a pocket veto, since Congress doesn't adjourn until next year. What can happen if Trump does nothing within 10 days of the sanctions bill reaching his desk is that the bill becomes law without his signature.
It's explained here: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42977.pdf
It's explained here: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42977.pdf
3
@Jacob
NYT Readers have 3 words to Jacob: Learn.The.Rules.
Pocket vetoes don't work against legislation that has been passed by veto-proof majorities and you are confusing limited duration recesses with adjournment - pocket vetoes are designed to combat lame-duck legislation after elections.
NYT Readers have 3 words to Jacob: Learn.The.Rules.
Pocket vetoes don't work against legislation that has been passed by veto-proof majorities and you are confusing limited duration recesses with adjournment - pocket vetoes are designed to combat lame-duck legislation after elections.
3
Congress (both houses) are out of Session starting August 1st. 8 days from now, and for longer than 10 days. And since we're linking things, here's a Congressional calendar for 2017: http://thehill.com/sites/default/files/2017_the_hill_congressional_calen...
If Trump vetoes then he is naked. In the meantime the Congress makes it clear the PEOPLE run this country.
If Trump gets even more irrational on paying back Russia for all the things they do for him personally, Congress just comes back and turns the screws, they are in someways daring him to ask his base for support to help Russia.
Go ahead Donald...veto this if you can....it might be 67% veto proof.
If Trump gets even more irrational on paying back Russia for all the things they do for him personally, Congress just comes back and turns the screws, they are in someways daring him to ask his base for support to help Russia.
Go ahead Donald...veto this if you can....it might be 67% veto proof.
4
It's about time the Republican Congress wakes up from its drunken power stupor and realizes they need to constrain their President who has every sign of being a wholly owned subsidiary of the Putin oligarchy! Anyone who claims to be a patriot needs to remember what that means: Country over Party, and the Trumps are just in it for themselves. Bring on the Constitutional Crisis! People will be in the streets!
8
"defense contractors"
why do you continue to use this false term?
They are at best "military contractors" who make and profit from selling weapons....to just about anyone.
These merchants of death do not 'defend' me.
why do you continue to use this false term?
They are at best "military contractors" who make and profit from selling weapons....to just about anyone.
These merchants of death do not 'defend' me.
10
Finally some good news about the Russian sanctions. This should put some dampers on the president's unorthodox and perhaps traitorous connections with Russia.
Putin must never be a part of the American way. In fact, it is already dubious that the president should be part of the American government. Best he leave voluntarily or otherwise. He should also take with him his supporters and hopefully some of those will go to prison. Fascism is unAmerican.
Putin must never be a part of the American way. In fact, it is already dubious that the president should be part of the American government. Best he leave voluntarily or otherwise. He should also take with him his supporters and hopefully some of those will go to prison. Fascism is unAmerican.
7
Congress can override Presidential veto. Pardoning Russia is dead in water.
3
Trump should oppose this bill, and hence expedite his impeachment.
Listening to Scaramucci on Jake Tapper just now, I have reached the point of being disgusted with the appeasement his aides are offering this WH.
Listening to Scaramucci on Jake Tapper just now, I have reached the point of being disgusted with the appeasement his aides are offering this WH.
4
I am so ashamed that we have allowed our Congress to be so purchased that they vote sanctions against Russia for readmitting Crimea — by referendum — back into Russia after a tipsy Khrushchev gave it away, and for tampering in our election, when there is no evidence and we Americans are the meddlers-in-chief. We have caused so much damage in the world that it is clear that we have preordained our natural and political doom I am sorry for my residual ethical sense, but I am ashamed. To get back on the trail, we will have to be utterly reformed.
1
By "referendum", I assume you mean tanks, artillery and missiles.
2
#45's response will be telling....
2
If Mr. Putin wanted someone in the American government to do his bidding he should have chosen someone smarter and more politically astute than Donald Trump. But only Trump was dumb enough to fall for Putin's phony bromance. Poor Dumb Donald. Now see where his love affair with the KGB operative has gotten him.
13
This Congress is something else. On the one hand, they are attempting to make it a felony for Americans to protest the actions of Israel through individual economic actions, and on the other they seek to speak for all Americans on Russia, punishing the country economically in our names. They certainly have an agenda and Americans are forced to go along.
3
You got that right, in half. They represent Americans, not Russians. They are forced to do what their constituents want, or can be voted out. Does that happen under Putin?
2
The US meddles in the whole planet! It is incapable of protecting its data servers against the Russians, so it punishes Russia. If California wants to secede from the US, it would be considered a US matter, right? If the people in the Crimea VOTE to belong to Russia, the US must decide if such action is correct, right? The US is isolating itself from the rest of the world. The US thinks it owns the world. One day the world is going to punish the US!
2
This may come as a surprise to some, but We The People are spending most of our time, resources, and thought on Donald Trump -- as if he were a great man, who was doing great things in the world. He is not a great man, and he has distracted the entire world for too long. It's time to wake up and say, enough! Let him go back to television live out his life as an odd, colorful curiosity. The next president -- if we are lucky! -- can pardon him. But please put a big piece of duct tape over his mouth, take away Air Force One, his cell phone, and his golf clubs.
After that, let's get back to work!
After that, let's get back to work!
9
What does including Iran do to the no nukes agreement?
Putin joined the KGB as a very young man. He hates the west with a passion and for demeaning Russia and calling it a second-rate power after the Cold War supposedly ended and the Berlin Wall came down.
A guy who would harm Russian children by denying them a better future for political gain.
He has created the Russian oligarchy and is rumored to have squirreled away $95 billion for himself. He can never be trusted and neither can the trumps.
Btw, I read that some 40% of trump supporters in the heartland haven't heard of this trump / Russia controversy. NYT, is this true. If so probably because they only watch Fox fake news?
Crazy times my friends and not likely to get fixed any time soon.
Putin joined the KGB as a very young man. He hates the west with a passion and for demeaning Russia and calling it a second-rate power after the Cold War supposedly ended and the Berlin Wall came down.
A guy who would harm Russian children by denying them a better future for political gain.
He has created the Russian oligarchy and is rumored to have squirreled away $95 billion for himself. He can never be trusted and neither can the trumps.
Btw, I read that some 40% of trump supporters in the heartland haven't heard of this trump / Russia controversy. NYT, is this true. If so probably because they only watch Fox fake news?
Crazy times my friends and not likely to get fixed any time soon.
6
This president is said to owe Russian banks $300 million in loans ... Putin will forgive the loans if sanctions are lifted ...
7
Interesting box they put The prez in. I wonder how he'll react?
2
What's with all the anti-Russia hysteria lately? Cold war 2.0?
1
Could it be? I heard a rumor that the film critics at the Times, in keeping with that paper's campaign against Russia, are thinking of boycotting the films of Helen Mirren and Natalie Wood because of their Russian background. Please do not include Miracle on 34th St. in which Natalie played a likeable young girl.
What we need next is for Congress to impeach the Putin puppet named Trump for his egregious behavior, the least of which is not that he is already thinking about pardoning himself and his cohort for their crimes.
8
Well it looks like Donald has united people like he promised....... The Dems and Repubs have all agreed he needs to be watched.
4
Trump is a Putin Puppet.
He's a puppet subject to blackmail by his handlers.
Deep, the swamp is.
He's a puppet subject to blackmail by his handlers.
Deep, the swamp is.
9
This is an amazing display of particularly American rediculousness. That the Russians influenced the election of Trump is like believing thast steel framed buildingas melt and that there were WMDs in Iraq. You've bought the big lie, live with it.
1
I look forward to tomorrow morning's "presidential" tweets.
2
Even the tea party whipped Republicans aren't fearful of angering the Trump cult. They are worried Cthulhu will awaken and primary them.
1
Skeptic that I am, the surprise bi partisan agreement is ..........surprising!!
The North Korea poison pill that the president would have to swallow in a veto is a complication much like the Pres. Pence poison pill we would have to swallow if Trump self impeaches with extraordinary presidential pardons.
The North Korea poison pill that the president would have to swallow in a veto is a complication much like the Pres. Pence poison pill we would have to swallow if Trump self impeaches with extraordinary presidential pardons.
5
Perhaps an evidentiary trail of money laundering via real estate deals with Russians and others will further fortify Republican resolve, such as it is. Trump's impossible dream is to dance with the Oligarchs, most of whom, along with Putin, probably regard him as a buffoon.
3
All that is left to accomplish is 86ing The Apprentice from the Government.
3
It's time for Trump to prove whether he is a patriotic American or a stooge of Putin.
1
Republicans are as crazy as Trump. They are using Trump as a tool to destroy the environment, workers and consumers rights, education. Republicans still lick Trump boots and haven't changed. They're traitors to the core.
2
Poor Don, the pressure is enormous. Veto the measure and he creates one more bit of evidence of his and his administration's treason for all Americans to so. Sign it and his salacious behavior with KGB/FSA trained escorts comes out in a video for all the world to see.
1
No chance whatever that Trump will veto this.
2
If trump signs the bill perhaps Putin will give him a pass because of his bone spurs. I hope he can remember which foot had them.
2
Finally someone wake up and stop this madness.
1
Isn't ironic that we're praising congress for something that should of been done long before...spineless republicans couldn't get the courage to do the right thing for this country. Complete moral collapse in my opinion. The sanctions are just a slap in back...should be much more taxing and vigorous so Kremlin criminals would never attempt to do it again.
4
Add one more name to the list Donald Trump is preparing to pardon--including himself--and it's not even an American citizen. (Hint: It begins with P)
1
passed "sanctions against North Korea by a vote of 419 to 1". Wondering who that one representative is who voted against the NK sanctions.
1
Wait a second...so a Republican controlled Congress can pass a bill to put sanctions on Russia, but not keep a promise to pass a bill to repeal Obamacare?
Sounds like the real Enemy of the State is not Russia, but these spineless, unproductive, out of touch congressmen. Again, not new news, but confirmation that term limits for our politicians are necessary.
Sounds like the real Enemy of the State is not Russia, but these spineless, unproductive, out of touch congressmen. Again, not new news, but confirmation that term limits for our politicians are necessary.
3
Nice to see Congress doing even a little of its job. Love the dilemma it creates for Trumpsky.
2
A spokeswoman for Speaker Paul D. Ryan, AshLee Strong, said the bill “would hold three bad actors to account.”
Errr! Four actually!
Errr! Four actually!
4
I think he'll veto the bill to please Putin even if it is veto-proof. That way he's kept his master happy. And, as our national buck passer he can blame congress
2
Please Congress, let's hamstring this man from wreaking anymore horrific policies on our beloved country.
If you are unprepared, Congress, to defend us, the people who unwittingly voted for this liar and cheat,
as well as the rest of us, we have the patriotic duty to vote you out of office in 2018.
There is so much evidence of malfeasance of office in the first six months of this joke of a presidency, if you can't see the time to face down Trump is NOW,
you must be replaced by elected representatives of both houses who will earn the public funded money we pay you to represent us here and in the world.
Surely in our already great country, there are people willing to serve our country.
Hamstring him now, and make it be veto proof.
If you are unprepared, Congress, to defend us, the people who unwittingly voted for this liar and cheat,
as well as the rest of us, we have the patriotic duty to vote you out of office in 2018.
There is so much evidence of malfeasance of office in the first six months of this joke of a presidency, if you can't see the time to face down Trump is NOW,
you must be replaced by elected representatives of both houses who will earn the public funded money we pay you to represent us here and in the world.
Surely in our already great country, there are people willing to serve our country.
Hamstring him now, and make it be veto proof.
5
Hows about a travel ban, including Trump's relations.
2
It's clear by now that trump and Putin see themselves as allies. Allied against nincompoops and hooligans that they believe comprise 98 percent of the worlds population. Trump and Putin if strategically allied would and could in effect remake the world in their image. Megalomania. China would go along because like Russia they are not democratic but dictatorial rulers.
Trump wants to end free speech other than his megaphone and all those who do not worship no respect himself and his family. If your gorgeous however you can get a pass. The republicans seem to be willing to get into this ship of fools. After all the Republican Party is one large ship of whose been fooling you. This sanctions bill is merely window dressing. The emperor has no clothes and neither do the court jesters. Tweet on you bird of pair o dice.
Trump wants to end free speech other than his megaphone and all those who do not worship no respect himself and his family. If your gorgeous however you can get a pass. The republicans seem to be willing to get into this ship of fools. After all the Republican Party is one large ship of whose been fooling you. This sanctions bill is merely window dressing. The emperor has no clothes and neither do the court jesters. Tweet on you bird of pair o dice.
1
Tough choice for Trump? Hardly. He doesn't care. He will veto. And by the way it's all Hillary's fault.
2
At last, signs that the dog may wag the tail on occasion.
2
Well, this should be a turning point for Republican legislatures. Will Trump sign the bill, or continue to support the Russians?? This is perfect to ferret out his dealings with the Russians..... We will see... Can't wait.
1
About time congress got some backbone.
1
This is for sure what our founding fathers had in mind. I hope he tries to veto and they com.e back and for to over turn his veto. Finally something is working
Are we headed for another war fueled by nothing more than propaganda and lies? I certainly hope not, as this time it'll mean nuclear war!
2
Corruption and personal enrichment are Trump's only reason for existence. He will veto this bill. And I don't believe the Republicons in Congress have the spine to override the veto. Things will have to become personally painful for them before they will do the right thing. A waste of the planet's resources, one and all.
" to punish Russia for its election meddling " There's been no proof of Russia's election meddling.
2
Maybe what he actually said was,...
"Not a MINOR Puppet, not a MINOR Puppet"?
"Not a MINOR Puppet, not a MINOR Puppet"?
1
Readers don't get your hopes up yet..what will Trump lose if he vetoes the bill...his base could care less about Russia; both legislative branches have the backbone of a wet noodle--so no override; and more concerning, Trump's bizarre behavior towards Russia has become a new norm.
2
Never thought I'd say this in regards to this Congress but congratulations. I guess Donnie will have to choose a side....
1
The Repeal & Replace Congress, now in their 7th year, yet to do either, have taken it upon themselves to conduct foreign policy. Considering the President's pick for Ambassador is a 'greatest geopolitical threat' subscriber, I do not rest assured, that the truth will win the day in Warshington with many other than the President.
1
These are dark days.
But our democracy will ultimately rid itself of this cancer.
But our democracy will ultimately rid itself of this cancer.
3
So sanctions work? Strange when there are so many ways around them. Exon under Tillison gamed the sanctions and got oil profits out of Russia and Iraq. HP got printer profits out of Iran. There is big big money in gaming sanctions. Beware of this. However there does seem to be one sanction that really hurts: restrain a sanctioned gangster oligarchs from getting their hard stolen money out of their victim country and into a country where the money can be laundered. There are big profits in this and yeah if you manage to gum up money washing--well it hurts rich people who were born in poor countries. So this could get exciting for awhile. But I would always bet on rich people in poor countries finding a way to tunnel through a wall of sanctions. Donald Trump does not care about sanctions, he just wants a piece of the action. Oh by the way, there really is a problem with the money in foreign babies. Putin's real crime is tying the crime of money laundering to the crime of foreign baby trafficking. This is all too depressing. Move along folks, nothing to see here.
3
"Highly Negative" - Russia says of this move by US. Great, what were they thinking when they invaded and annexed Crimea? What where they thinking when they so elaborately staged "pseudo-invasion" and violated Ukraine's sovereignty? Did they think it was "positive" for those involved? OK, so Crimeans were duped into believing - not the first time in history - into Russian's largesse. By really, it's like a small child that does something evil, then gets spanked for it, and then whines that life is unfair.
2
He could use a pocket veto.
Another blow one of the most troubling President
of the United States who is a lame duck after only spending six months in office. Of course Trump will say he is the busiest President in his first six months. If busy making headlines is what he meant then I agree. Let's see how much teeth the sanctions against Russia have. Putin already stated that hackers are like Artists, very creative people.
of the United States who is a lame duck after only spending six months in office. Of course Trump will say he is the busiest President in his first six months. If busy making headlines is what he meant then I agree. Let's see how much teeth the sanctions against Russia have. Putin already stated that hackers are like Artists, very creative people.
2
Although Trump is an opportunistic clown and disaster for the American common man, keeping on punishing Russia is bad for Europe as well as America. Since the nineties Nato & EU have incorporated all territory directly west of Russia. It should not be hard to understand Russia's reflex of self-protection, remembering two World Wars and Napoleon. But, we, the West preach democracy and meanwhile forget what happened in Latin America, the Middle East and South East Asia under American, English and French leadership?
2
When Trump became president I vowed not to listen to any of his speechifying for every word out of his mouth was either a lie, despicable or both. I would instead wait to read about what he said in the newspapers. Well, reading what he says is still too nauseating.
The worst calamities to befall this country that I have witnessed in my lifetime have been the Kennedy and King assassinations; the Vietnamese, Iraqi and Afghan Wars; and Donald Trump.
The worst calamities to befall this country that I have witnessed in my lifetime have been the Kennedy and King assassinations; the Vietnamese, Iraqi and Afghan Wars; and Donald Trump.
3
Finally, congress are doing their job.
1
Will other countries impose the same sanctions?
Why is North Korea tagged on as an afterthought?
Why the changes to accommodate the “concerns raised by American energy companies”?
Where are the sanctions against those supporting ISIS and Boko Haram or those supporting our enemies in areas where American troops are actively engaged, such as Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan?
This news item doesn’t mention if other countries have been approached to put the same set of sanctions in place. It looks all too easy for, say, President Macron of France to say, “yes, we just sold a ton of widgits to Russia. I thought they were for an energy project”.
Once we get passed the let’s stick it to Trump gleefulness, I wonder how much of real substance there is here.
Why is North Korea tagged on as an afterthought?
Why the changes to accommodate the “concerns raised by American energy companies”?
Where are the sanctions against those supporting ISIS and Boko Haram or those supporting our enemies in areas where American troops are actively engaged, such as Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan?
This news item doesn’t mention if other countries have been approached to put the same set of sanctions in place. It looks all too easy for, say, President Macron of France to say, “yes, we just sold a ton of widgits to Russia. I thought they were for an energy project”.
Once we get passed the let’s stick it to Trump gleefulness, I wonder how much of real substance there is here.
1
We elected Trump president, not Chuck Schumer. Veto this show-boating bill.
Yes, president Putin. Whatever you wish.
3
So trump needs another hours long meeting with putin.
To decide what putin wants.
To decide what putin wants.
1
This is really a litmus test. If he vetoes that bill he is beholden to Putin and not the American people.
2
Are some Republicans beginning to consider that their duty is to country, not party? How novel.
Usually I "troll" as hard as I can against Republicans, but they made me proud today. Glad to hear you're on board.
Trump's decision here, will be the most telling. Us or them, sir.
Trump's decision here, will be the most telling. Us or them, sir.
Yes let's pass some more sanctions against Russia for exploiting the DNC's cyber security weakness especially since previous sanctions have done such a good in scaring the Russians. Oh and for good measure let's antagonize another country because the one thing we need most of all is another country that we are hostile to.
I don't think he's running the country at all. It is hard to believe that the entire Republican party is and has been a partner to outside interests that seek to undo America. The Democrats who knows? The cabinet is filled with conflict of interests. We have a corrupt family nesting in the White House selling real estate and seeming to enjoy the company of deplorable. Where is Harry Potter when you need him?
Russia is pulling the strips behind the scene manipulating the White House like puppets. We can expect more "discoveries" of White House personal having had meetings with personalities of doubtful reputations - when and as the Russian dictator sees fit to be "discovered". Most likely, the 45th US president and his entourage have been involved in businesses, loans and "entertainments" offered by Russians with the blessing or on order of the Kreml. This will get known stepwise so as to ensure that US politics being diverted from certain issues. The 45th US president is clearly a puppet ... and most in Washington are willingly take roles in a puppet show.
It's foolish to impose sanctions on Iran over Syria, a war that had its genesis in Iraq, probably one of the worst military blunders in American history. A journalist asked the American general who helped liberate Kandahar, Afghanistan 2002 why we had to retake the city 10 years later, and his one word answer, "Iraq". Bush handed control of the region to Iran over lies, and we'd be fools to isolate ourselves from Iran when the nuclear deal allows them to reengage with the world.
The sanctions on Iran is more than a bit hypocritical. Saudi meddling is not any better, and its regime is worse than the Iranian by a good margine.
2
Is sanctions really sufficient as a punishment? How about recognizing the election as a fraud and cancel the result?
Russia has got their man in the WH - what would be worse?
Russia has got their man in the WH - what would be worse?
The real coup would be getting the president out of office. He'll cut some deals in a back room--or even, given his narcissism, in a front room, and the sanctions won't be effective. Take away his office and his money. Then we are, if not good, at least capable of rebuilding.
http://www.thecriticalmom.blogspot.com
http://www.thecriticalmom.blogspot.com
1
Say it: "The Republicans are in complete disarray and cannot govern when the have both Houses of Congress and the White House."
1
He would probably veto the bill , the press knows what is really happening or happened with the famous bromance , this man is acting like someone who doesn't have the freedom to go against the Kremlin , he act like if they have something on him and blackmail could be on the menu, I had no idea that in this country we would ever witness the destruction of what was so dear to so many people in the world , America was the land of democracy , we have to thanks mr Mc Connell & Ryan for letting that to happened, sad.
I guess that grandstanding by the Congress is much easier than passing actual legislation that helps the country. If I remember my reading of the USC correctly, foreign affairs is the province of the POTUS, even this one.
1
The hysteria. Here are some quotes from today's comments about a pres., who, for all his faults, obeyed lower court restrictions on his orders, defied Russia in bombing Assad's air base and has not yet returned Russia's property here: "Totalitarian," "Toady of Putin," "humiliated, by Donald Trump," "Trump’s capacity to do Putin’s bidding," "Executive Fiat of Mr. Trump . . . Mr Trump’s seeming belief in Divine Right," "Comrade Donaldov," "connection between Trump World and the Russian mafia capitalist oligarchy," "trying . . . to act with the authority of an absolute ruler," "our monster," "our Manchurian President," etc.
I have to wonder if they have any idea what a totalitarian society actually is. Do they even recall Obama's attempted "reset" or his private message to Putin he'd be more flexible after an election? That Putin shamed Obama, going into Syria while he was pres. right after they met privately? The Obama orders that were overturned as unconstitutional? They must.
Personally, I think Trump is unsuited for the presidency (as were Obama and Bush) and bad for his own party. I don't like his policies much. But, the hysteria over him surpasses even that against Bush or Obama because now, the hysteria is mainstream, including the media and politicians. And however bad a president Trump turns out to be (hard to tell yet b/c the Rep. majority barely supports him), the "resistance," "at any cost" is much more disturbing to me and moderate/independents I know.
I have to wonder if they have any idea what a totalitarian society actually is. Do they even recall Obama's attempted "reset" or his private message to Putin he'd be more flexible after an election? That Putin shamed Obama, going into Syria while he was pres. right after they met privately? The Obama orders that were overturned as unconstitutional? They must.
Personally, I think Trump is unsuited for the presidency (as were Obama and Bush) and bad for his own party. I don't like his policies much. But, the hysteria over him surpasses even that against Bush or Obama because now, the hysteria is mainstream, including the media and politicians. And however bad a president Trump turns out to be (hard to tell yet b/c the Rep. majority barely supports him), the "resistance," "at any cost" is much more disturbing to me and moderate/independents I know.
2
Veto=admission of collusion.
2
Ever so slowly the spine of the Congress begins to stiffen in fear and opposition to the mad tyrant in the executive office.....may this be the dawn of enlightenment and courage.
1
What Putin and his gang (which, regrettably, includes our president) fail to understand is that the US is not run by one person. At last, Congress is using this opportunity as a teaching moment to make that point sound and clear. Finally, good work, Congress!
It seems as though Trump should resign. He did have a failed presidency.
2
What a disaster. Congress now dictating foreign policy to the White House, the same Congress to weak and useless to actually do anything worthwhile for the American people - like fixing our healthcare instead of undermining it because of a stupid campaign promise.
An over sanctions, which never accomplish anything?! A completely useless gesture now set up to be a "test" of which branch of government is more powerful.
An over sanctions, which never accomplish anything?! A completely useless gesture now set up to be a "test" of which branch of government is more powerful.
Applaud Congress for finally showing moral fiber as they stand united against Russia, almost unanimously finally endorse sanctions against Russia, and FINALLY oppose trump's tyrannical support for Russia.
It is a sound beginning. Congress must to march forward impeach trump and his entire machiavellian corrupt administration, clean the Washington cesspool of corrupt republican enablers and sycophants, let democracy breathe and "freedom ring" and once again enable America to assume its post as the beacon for hope, equality and promise throughout the world.
It is a sound beginning. Congress must to march forward impeach trump and his entire machiavellian corrupt administration, clean the Washington cesspool of corrupt republican enablers and sycophants, let democracy breathe and "freedom ring" and once again enable America to assume its post as the beacon for hope, equality and promise throughout the world.
2
The sanctions are a good idea. They give us something to bargain with when engaging Russia. If our Great Deal Maker vetoes the bill, he'll give that away without getting anything in return.
Of course, he can get out of this by claiming he had no choice, then blaming everyone else with lame Tweets..
Of course, he can get out of this by claiming he had no choice, then blaming everyone else with lame Tweets..
1
"...two senior administration officials said they could not imagine Mr. Trump vetoing the measure in the current political atmosphere..."
hey either have very limited imagination, or perhaps what they REALLY meant was that "...they could not imagine any same person serving as President vetoing the measure in the current political atmosphere..."
I'm betting on the second answer...
hey either have very limited imagination, or perhaps what they REALLY meant was that "...they could not imagine any same person serving as President vetoing the measure in the current political atmosphere..."
I'm betting on the second answer...
It would be far easier for Trump to check with Putin on his decision to veto if Kushner was allowed to set up a clear channel of communication from the safety of the Russian embassy.
2
Congress has betrayed us. Establishing long-term peace between the United States and the Russian Federation is indispensable to world peace. The United States are now irreversibly in decline and fall. Our own government has rendered us unworthy of a sound constitutional order. -- John Remington Graam of the Minnesota Bar (#3664X)
1
To use the words of Lindsey Graham, the choice for the President is to be either shot (by conservatives, for being weak in the face of Russian aggression) or poisoned (by Putin, for failing to live up tho the covenants of Trump's loan agreements with the Russian oligarchs...the choice of the word "poison" here is purely coincidental). If there's a downside here, I don't want to know about it.
Finally, they're doing what they were elected to do ! their jobs. Guess the realization that America needs to stand strong and united against those that threaten the well being of the world and our country , thank you. As for the president , what else is new? If you don"t agree with him , he deems you hostile , it must be exhausting for him , not to mention his lack of sleep by staying up to post his vehement , and venomous tweets.
1
If only Congress would curtail Trump in many more ways. This President is making decisions for himself, his family and his profits. And Congress should do their duty in overseeing the corruption emanating from the WH.
Congress should devotes more of its attention to serious threats among others:
- Turkey turning into a dictatorship, a key NATO allies containing Russia to the south and sharing borders with several middle east countries.
- Russia threatening Baltic countries and Polen.
- Russia's influence on Hungary.
- Unemployment and poverty in the USA.
- etc.
Nobody can expect the White House to cope with such threats. We'll be lucky enough if it does not start a nuclear war with North Korea.
- Turkey turning into a dictatorship, a key NATO allies containing Russia to the south and sharing borders with several middle east countries.
- Russia threatening Baltic countries and Polen.
- Russia's influence on Hungary.
- Unemployment and poverty in the USA.
- etc.
Nobody can expect the White House to cope with such threats. We'll be lucky enough if it does not start a nuclear war with North Korea.
This isn't exactly a "Profile in Courage" on behalf of Republicans. They have gotten paid quite handsomely for doing absolutely nothing for 8 years. You'd think that they would be meeting at least 2x a year to hammer out some sort of plan. The lipstick has smeared all over the pig.
They were just biding their time to shove a horrible health and tax plan before him. As soon as they get that, they'll be just horrified the FBI has the goods.
They'll be screaming for impeachment before the ink dries on those two bills.
By then he'll have pardoned his family and himself and resign. He'll publicly rant against his unfair treatment, the FAKE NEWS and the GOP is a bunch of losers.
Also, I'd like a tally on how much this guy and his family are costing us, how much the voter "fraud" of 1,000 give or take since 1948 is costing. Aren't they the fiscally responsible ones?
They were just biding their time to shove a horrible health and tax plan before him. As soon as they get that, they'll be just horrified the FBI has the goods.
They'll be screaming for impeachment before the ink dries on those two bills.
By then he'll have pardoned his family and himself and resign. He'll publicly rant against his unfair treatment, the FAKE NEWS and the GOP is a bunch of losers.
Also, I'd like a tally on how much this guy and his family are costing us, how much the voter "fraud" of 1,000 give or take since 1948 is costing. Aren't they the fiscally responsible ones?
1
Hopefully Congress now will find their spine on domestic issues as well.
Both reasons for sanctioning Russia is stupid. We meddled extensively in their elections and even have a Time magazine news cover bragging about it. On Ukraine the West is wrong. Crimea and E. Ukraine have a right of self determination and doesn't have to join a coup. Both of those regions have a right to ask Russia for help and receive it.
Also it is this Hatfields and McCoys cold war attitude that help create the election meddling.
Sanctions hurt us all.
Also it is this Hatfields and McCoys cold war attitude that help create the election meddling.
Sanctions hurt us all.
1
If Trump vetoes this bill, what recourse does Congress have? What per centage must vote to override?
What was the vote in the Senate? That seems to be an important element in the passage?
This retired nurse and a republican who voted 3rd party.
I support strong bipartisan efforts to control , investigate , and remove the trump organization from washington asap.
I support medicare for all as a single payor insurance plan for americans.
I dont support our endless middle eastern involvement in wars or our weak stance on nuclear threats
Do not expand our military but improve it now.
Do not build more battle ready ships or planes to carry bombs.
End tricare and give service folk single payor medicare like all americans.
Control insurance market and profits.
I support choice for women but hate abortion as one of the alternatives but would leave all personal health for women alone. Let women help women. Get out of our struggle ok. You men do not get it.
I am really happy with this sanction package and if trump vetoes it arrest him quickly.
If trump pardons anyone arrest him and finally charge the whole bunch with modern treason because they waged a cyberwar with russia as accomplice .
We are in a deep cyberwar. My West Point graduated Lt. Col. is on the cyberwar team. He taught at the War College. He is my cousin and he has said america is in very grave danger from trump and his global ties.
So thanks congress. Can we see more brave assertive bipartisanship and way more transperancy.
I support strong bipartisan efforts to control , investigate , and remove the trump organization from washington asap.
I support medicare for all as a single payor insurance plan for americans.
I dont support our endless middle eastern involvement in wars or our weak stance on nuclear threats
Do not expand our military but improve it now.
Do not build more battle ready ships or planes to carry bombs.
End tricare and give service folk single payor medicare like all americans.
Control insurance market and profits.
I support choice for women but hate abortion as one of the alternatives but would leave all personal health for women alone. Let women help women. Get out of our struggle ok. You men do not get it.
I am really happy with this sanction package and if trump vetoes it arrest him quickly.
If trump pardons anyone arrest him and finally charge the whole bunch with modern treason because they waged a cyberwar with russia as accomplice .
We are in a deep cyberwar. My West Point graduated Lt. Col. is on the cyberwar team. He taught at the War College. He is my cousin and he has said america is in very grave danger from trump and his global ties.
So thanks congress. Can we see more brave assertive bipartisanship and way more transperancy.
At last, a show of bipartisanship in a crucial area of national security.
Why is Trump so submissive to Putin? Fifty Shades of Blackmail, I do believe.
I feel owned by Putin. It is a very unusual and weird feeling. Not only do I feel anger, but also shame and humiliation that we have an illegitimate president (and vice - Pence knows way more than that smirky smile suggests) and that he is compelled to give Putin what he wants out of fear of exposure of .....something.
Putin has won and I'm also frightened about where this is all leading. Never in my 65 years of being an American have I felt this way, it's new and very disconcerting. I am desperate for 'someone' to 'fix it'. And fixing it is getting rid of Trump and Pence. Our election was stolen from us. At this point, how can we really trust?
Our pols have failed us. I'm glad they're doing this and forcing Trump to choose. But it feels like only a dent at this point. I pray Mueller's investigation does not take years. America doesn't have years. We're on life support right now.
I feel owned by Putin. It is a very unusual and weird feeling. Not only do I feel anger, but also shame and humiliation that we have an illegitimate president (and vice - Pence knows way more than that smirky smile suggests) and that he is compelled to give Putin what he wants out of fear of exposure of .....something.
Putin has won and I'm also frightened about where this is all leading. Never in my 65 years of being an American have I felt this way, it's new and very disconcerting. I am desperate for 'someone' to 'fix it'. And fixing it is getting rid of Trump and Pence. Our election was stolen from us. At this point, how can we really trust?
Our pols have failed us. I'm glad they're doing this and forcing Trump to choose. But it feels like only a dent at this point. I pray Mueller's investigation does not take years. America doesn't have years. We're on life support right now.
4
So what the sanctions in the bill?
The article was so much about Trump it neglected to describe them other than a passing reference to the adoption ban.
Very bad !
The article was so much about Trump it neglected to describe them other than a passing reference to the adoption ban.
Very bad !
Divide and conquer indeed... what a Great game!
My concern is with this turn of events is just how he will react. He has truly proven he is a non thinking reacting President and is now cornered. Trump the igniter is capable of anything the mind can imagine, I see a few outcomes to this and none relieve my fear.
He is the definition of a vain lunatic and still has Presidential power, and may use it.
He is the definition of a vain lunatic and still has Presidential power, and may use it.
2
A good contrast between former President Obama and President Putin: Mr. Obama placed sanctions on members of Mr. Putin's inner circle of oligarchs while Mr. Putin retaliated against children and parents who hoped to give them a loving home. It is truly telling that President Trump is so enamored with his Russian counterpart.
1
The Family Trump thought dad was elected king. Will Don Sr. hold up the veto like a grade school report card when he signs it? I think not.
Aside from the fact that economic and other sanctions are most often just counterproductive and therefore not very intelligent I consider the anti-Russian ideology of the US one of its greatest blunders in its foreign policy. All the more because the US is at the same time cultivating its relationship with such absurd and backward nations like Saudi Arabia. There are only few reasonable voices in the US that try to counterbalance this ideology, for example Stanford professor Martin Hellmann’s „Let’s reconsider Russia“. The anti-Russian front in the US can be seen in both parties, Graham and Cain in the Republican party, Hillary Clinton and others among the Democrats. Unfortunately among them many Yale people, beginning with Daniel Kagan for the project of a new American century or Victoria Nuland. Very often people whose origins go back to East European countries and who have therefore a very prejudicial understanding of Russia. Understandibly so to some extent, but not very rational. In this context Trump's reapproachment to Russia seems utterly sane, no matter how incompetent other ideas of his may be. But the anti-Russian furor in the US evident in these days seems to be unstoppable. Us politicians and media complain about Russian's interference in other countries. But what is the US doing when it finances and supports militarily opposition groups as for example in Syria which is a clear violation of international law.
2
Considering HRC won the popular vote and assuming Putin did not want her to win the elections, Russia had no impact on the 2016 presidential elections. Russia is a major world power that no longer can be considered a super power but we need to have a stable and reasonable working relation with Russia as we had during world war II and we have now in the areas of space exploration and fight against terrorism. We do not have anything against the Russian masses and the cold war is supposedly over. So big deal that dysfunctional congress has reached a deal on Russia sanctions. Obama already had some sanction in place before leaving the WH. Trump as c-in-chief has an easy choice to not sign off on the sanctions because the war on global terrorism and space exploration needs proper working relation with Russia at the current times and sanctions will be counter productive. The intense media and press coverage and public scrutiny in the US of the likely Russian attempts to influence the last presidential elections has brought in to focus what could go wrong with the integrity of US elections and that needs to be fixed in the future in other ways besides sanctions on Russia and without Trump's efforts to reset relations with Russia being jeopardized as they were during the Obama-Hillary years. Russia has good relations with the heavily populated BRICS nations and any sanction could prove an exercise in futility and could even backfire. Let Trump decide what is in best interest of US.
2
Con man is desperate and not sure who is going to prison. He is unable to sleep at night reflected by his childish tweets at night. Truth is catching up and we would see more angry reactions from the child bully.
Would it have been too much in this long article to explain what sanctions are, what they do, whom they are directed at and what effect they are expected to have?
We have a story about sanctions that flows around the subject like a boulder in a stream but never gets to the "what."
We have a story about sanctions that flows around the subject like a boulder in a stream but never gets to the "what."
1
I am all for sanctions against Russia, but not for human rights abuses. The US has lost it's high moral ground in this respect by its treatment of immigrants.
Reality check congress should be sanction to make it law any government dept cant use tax revenue to purchase any import or use funds from their own salary to purchase an import . Indirectly government employees who use money came from the government cant be used to purchase imports. This is for better or worse government cant be unaccountable to own citzens while same companys out source jobs that pay tax revenuse to the government . Grand standing issues like russia is just smoke screen to real issues face american people. Do we leave better world for our kids or do we profit for our selves at expense of our kids future?
Sadly, I suspect that this is exactly what Trump wants. Now he can say, "Russia was punished for their acts, I can pardon those who are alleged to be involved at this end and the country can move on." And that course will prevent us from ever knowing the full truth of the Russian involvement and most importantly if he and/or his entourage committed treason.
1
May this be the beginning of a Congress that finally takes back it's power and curbs DT, the dangerous no-nothing president.
I don't understand the rush to impose sanctions. I am no fan of Putin or Trump or Clinton but hasn't Robert Mueller just started his investigation of Russian interference in our elections? If Congress already knows the outcome, why have Mueller investigate any further? Rest of the stuff is silly -- interference in the Syrian war, well aren't we there too? Question is which extremist are we fighting or do we just have this mindset that whatever we wish to do is good and everyone else is evil? Again no fan of Putin but the world would question our judgement if we jump before we have answers.
2
I am concerned that further sanctions on Iran will leave the US open to accusations by Iran that the US is not following the nuclear accord, which will then leave the door open for Iran to leave the agreement. Thus Trump and the neocons who want war with Iran (or anybody, but Iran seems to be their latest obsession) will be able to use this as an excuse, despite the fact that Iran now has a moderate President and has tried to expand its trade with the west, including a multimillion dollar deal with Boeing.
Hopefully this cooperation between the GOP and the DEMS is the start of an improved working relationship that they can use to blunt the worst instincts of DJT and make him much less relevant in governing the country. He can be outrageous in the center of the stage being a reality show President while they get on with business they can agree on - infrastructure, improvements to Obamacare, etc and ignore him until he goes away - voluntarily or in chains.
1
I suspect that many MOCs signed because the legislation also imposes sanctions on Iran, a country that even Trump had to certify is complying with its nuclear agreement, and not because they care so much about Russian interference. It is disappointing that while Congress won't prevent a massive arms sale to Saudi Arabia, Congress is willing to push all of the buttons to try and get Iran to back out of what to date has been a successful agreement. At least in Iran, women can drive, and represent a majority of all college students. We also share with Iran a common interest in stability in Afghanistan. It is Saudi money that funded the madrassas and many of the groups that are resulting in American deaths . . .
1
It's a good thing what Congress is doing, finally. I think the sanctions are necessary as a way to curtail activities of countries that want to destabilize the world, but just as important is the fact that Republicans and Democrats agreed on something and worked together.
If they could simply understand how much better it is for the American people when Congress does its job according to a cooperative standard, the country will be much better off. We do not need a dysfunctional White House AND a dysfunctional Congress.
If they could simply understand how much better it is for the American people when Congress does its job according to a cooperative standard, the country will be much better off. We do not need a dysfunctional White House AND a dysfunctional Congress.
This means that Congress recognizes and accepts the fact that Russia meddled in our elections and that such actions are an assault on our nation. This is a start since Trump has tried to pooh pooh the intelligence that directly points to Russia's interference. So FOX and company can no longer call this meddling a nothing burger in which their is no real evidence. Now the question is whether Trump and his associates knew about it, encouraged it, and supported it. In other words, did they collude with another country to attack the U.S in cyberspace. Mueller's on the case. Stay tuned. This is not going away.
Foreign policy has always been a key presidential role. The reason being that America ought and needs to speak with one voice and not 535 voices when it comes to foreign affairs. Now, as much as I agree with the congress, I see this as tragic proof that Mr. Trump is a pathetically weak and ineffectual President. It is hard to see Mr. Trump as anything other than another sad figure in history pretending to be a leader. The problem is that America is now left to drift in a dangerous world as long as he is the President.
Just when I thought the Republican Party was beyond redemption, they surprised me. This is an issue both parties can agree on & get the full support of the American people.It puts Trump in a corner that he can’t escape from. If he vetoes it, it will be his undoing.I can breath a little easier today.
1
The sitting US President does not have knowledge nor understanding! I am glad for the Americans that Congress decided to push back by working against Trump's agenda.
Trump and Tillerson hoped lifting Russian sanctions to protect carbon industry investors (from the carbon-bubble) and for that reason withdraw from Paris Accord.
Trump dismantled the TPP (eight years of TPP negotiations on ‘day one’ of his presidency). Asia since had the time to strengthen its own regional economic ties by reducing tariffs and Canada can always strike deals with other countries as well and under the name of RCEP that deal does not include the US, but both Japan and Australi at the same time China would help them to develop the major infrastructures of the project One Belt One Road.
Some States will not ship thermal coal to Asian customers as they have green laws against coal and have modified the ports to handle other cargos as they have no capacity for Coal. So 96% of the thermal coal exported to Asia - 6.6 million tons - goes through Canadian ports.
British Columbia now says if the US wants to go against 3 International trade rulings that Canadian wood is not subsidized… (96, 99 and 2002 WTO rulings)...BC will follow the Western States and ban thermal coal shipments...so much for the coal miners getting more jobs. The only market still burning thermal is China. Nobody will ship it to them and they will buy Australian... Trump has no brain.
Trump and Tillerson hoped lifting Russian sanctions to protect carbon industry investors (from the carbon-bubble) and for that reason withdraw from Paris Accord.
Trump dismantled the TPP (eight years of TPP negotiations on ‘day one’ of his presidency). Asia since had the time to strengthen its own regional economic ties by reducing tariffs and Canada can always strike deals with other countries as well and under the name of RCEP that deal does not include the US, but both Japan and Australi at the same time China would help them to develop the major infrastructures of the project One Belt One Road.
Some States will not ship thermal coal to Asian customers as they have green laws against coal and have modified the ports to handle other cargos as they have no capacity for Coal. So 96% of the thermal coal exported to Asia - 6.6 million tons - goes through Canadian ports.
British Columbia now says if the US wants to go against 3 International trade rulings that Canadian wood is not subsidized… (96, 99 and 2002 WTO rulings)...BC will follow the Western States and ban thermal coal shipments...so much for the coal miners getting more jobs. The only market still burning thermal is China. Nobody will ship it to them and they will buy Australian... Trump has no brain.
Mr. Trump's declaration of immunity for himself and for his family members ("Trump Says He Has 'Complete Power' to Pardon") is his way of telling Congress that Russian influence in the White House is here to stay, regardless of how tough Congress wants to get with sanctions.
What a guy.
What a guy.
At last the GOP has woken up. Thank you for this at least. Keep it up. Now start the work on establishing what Trump can and cannot pardon. You are going to need that information very soon.
No one wants bad relations with Russia. But that doesn't mean we should throw away what we stand for, our place in the world, and be Putin's supplicant. Trump would rather be Putin's supplicant, and both his supporters and Congressional GOP leaders have been letting him get away with it. Now is the time for them to show where they stand. Are we the United States of America, leader of the free world? Or are we the Democratic People's Republic of Trumpistan, satellite of Vladimir Putin's Russia? If Ryan prevents a vote on the bill, or if it passes and Trump vetoes it, we will know where they stand, and there won't be any spinning it.
1
I hope that congress comes to its senses. The president is right. We cannot let 535 politicians conduct day-to-day activity best left in the hands of the State Department. I prefer a one-on-one relationship to important international issues where two leaders of a country can develop a certain camaraderie instead of taking an impersonal approach. Secondly, congress is attempting to overstep its boundaries in our system of checks and balances. Why bother to have a secretary of state if congress thinks they can do a better job (which they can't). Third; to be consistent, why didn't congress include China in this bill? China is guilty of hacking, being aggressive toward its neighbors, poor human rights record, and assisting a country who opposes us (North Korea). Could it be that the republicans are trying to get the upper hand on the Russia issue by putting the president in an awkward position of vetoing or not? He will VETO! Fourth; Even President Obama opposed the idea of congress taking this kind of power away from the executive branch.
15
Shadow President and War Criminal Richard Bruce Cheney has strongly supported unitary executive power ever since Congress reined it in after the excesses of the Nixon Administration. And the trend has been upward ever since, generally with the full-throated support of the Republican party - though less so when there was a Democratic POTUS. Today's Republican legislators however are faced with a unique dilemma. They cannot alienate their base by opposing Trump frontally, so they are choosing this backdoor approach to containing a man that anyone rational knows to be unstable, dangerous, ignorant and in the grips of early onset dementia.
1
mmmmmm this president does not have the intelligence or knowledge needed to do that.
It's not the "Executive Branch" that Congress is trying to control. It's Trump.
Why do you use caps for State Department but not Congress or Secretary of State or President?
Why do you use caps for State Department but not Congress or Secretary of State or President?
President Trump should veto this bill. Let Congress spend time on passing this all over again. By vetoing this he will send a message to his own party, there will be things you will want to pass where there will not be veto proof majority. So his message to the Republicans will be to be caution them in trying to straight jacket their own party's president.
Of course Trump can veto this bill. I believe he will. This will just be another demonstration of his subservience to Russia.
7
It is too bad Trump has sleazed and slouched toward better relations with Russia. The decent presidents before Bush_2 brokered an end to the Cold War, which should have never seen the light of day anyway. There is much to be gained in a full global way, from real 'detente'.
An example is Ukraine. If there wasn't the ridiculous push to put NATO there, there would have been no conflict. My take on that is fairly pessimistic -- Russia had drawn a red line: no NATO in Ukraine. And I think it could have been a nuclear red line, seriously. I don't know who pushed Obama into that but the fingerprints are all over the US foreign service -- Nuland, etc. We have been on the wrong track with Russia. Look -- just consider the ISS cooperation if you need a handle.
Fast forward -- Trump is on an even crazier wrong track, working outside the norms of civility and having near-zero sense of how international interactions are melded into solid relations. This was also -- for exactly the opposite reason -- not anything HRC was going to do well. She is a neo-con hawk.
It didn't have to be this way. And doesn't. We need a far smarter, Roosevelt type -- regardless which so-called party he/she emerges from. How about a real leader for a change. Pun intended.
An example is Ukraine. If there wasn't the ridiculous push to put NATO there, there would have been no conflict. My take on that is fairly pessimistic -- Russia had drawn a red line: no NATO in Ukraine. And I think it could have been a nuclear red line, seriously. I don't know who pushed Obama into that but the fingerprints are all over the US foreign service -- Nuland, etc. We have been on the wrong track with Russia. Look -- just consider the ISS cooperation if you need a handle.
Fast forward -- Trump is on an even crazier wrong track, working outside the norms of civility and having near-zero sense of how international interactions are melded into solid relations. This was also -- for exactly the opposite reason -- not anything HRC was going to do well. She is a neo-con hawk.
It didn't have to be this way. And doesn't. We need a far smarter, Roosevelt type -- regardless which so-called party he/she emerges from. How about a real leader for a change. Pun intended.
9
I dispute that the US has "much to gain" from a new "détente", because détente to Trump means surrender to Vlad's interests.
It is dawning upon Republican members of Congress that the only way they might survive Trump is to Do Something about Trump.
17
It is the dawn's very early light.
Some small good may come out of this disaster, if we see Congress re-assert itself. Ditto in UK for Parliament. But by God! at what price, overall. I dont see either country fully recovering from this populist nonsense for decades, if ever.
7
We are sanctioning Russia on an issue the West is wrong on. Crimea and E. Ukraine doesn't have to join the coup that was exercised in Kiev. The West's position goes against the UN right of self determination and takes the position that lines on a map are more important than agreed upon rules written in their Constitution for removing their President. Crimea and E. Ukraine does not have to go against the wishes of their people and honor the US empire.
8
I remember Ryan saying Ibama is too soft on Russia. Why is he holding on Trump who is a Russia advocate? Softening the sanction bill only goes to show that he has no spine and is a hypocrite.
12
Interesting. The GOP US Congress is not on board with Trump's goals to Make Russia Great Again and Make Trump Richer Again.
Yet it refuses to see Trump as the Manchurian candidate (a traitor who puts self-interest above the nation's) who should be removed from office. Sad beyond words for our democracy.
Yet it refuses to see Trump as the Manchurian candidate (a traitor who puts self-interest above the nation's) who should be removed from office. Sad beyond words for our democracy.
19
Politically this is good for the republicans. We have three parties now. Trump is the third one. Come 2018 elections the republicans will be fine.
2
Hmm, so a 1 for 134 ratio being against the GOP POTUS is good,..politically?
This is the first good news in along time. Hopefully this shows that Congress is finding integrity.
10
Could any Republicans who vote against increased sanctions against Russia be likely to have been compromised, either by Trump - possibly via his oft-reported recording of phone calls, or possibly videos, at his hotels, golf courses and casinos. Or by agents of Russia, who made these people compromised by meetings, conversations, donations, etc.?
4
Hmm, this kind of shift suggests that the GOP got an early-warning report on what Mueller's going to be delivering. I'd say the next two weeks will be decisive.
6
Interesting 'answer' to the questions "Why now? And why, in the senate at least, why so overwhelming the vote?" The House vote will be interesing to parse.
The American people must stand united and not allow Trump trolls from keeping Congress from doing its duty. Putin's Russia is neither our friend nor one of our allies, but a foreign adversary determined to undermine our democracy and destroy our standing in the world. That's why Putin actively intervened in the 2016 election to ensure a Trump victory. We must hold Congress's feet to the fire to make this happen and not become distracted from our civic responsibility.
10
"Hamstringing" this president now is exactly what is called for. This bill would be a great start, the 2018 mid-term election would be a phase 2 "gelding" and the 2020 election will the coup de grace.
9
Mr. Trump falsely claims the evidence of Russian interference is tainted. He is wrong. He is tainted by six months (at least) of lies and dishonesty. I would hope this is the beginning of a Republican moral awakening.
9
I agree with those who say that it's time to stop using the word "meddling". It does not accurately capture how we as a country have been violated. In any case, the word has lost its meaning through overuse.
The Russians are interfering with our elections, the very foundation of our society. The are commiting an act of war by tampering with out government.
The Russians are interfering with our elections, the very foundation of our society. The are commiting an act of war by tampering with out government.
8
I feel Trump is driven by simplistic view of an ideal world where American and Russian live in peace and brotherhood.
But history is full of incidents of societies having descended into internal strife because of the destruction of its enemy.
Marx was uncannily prophetic saying History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.
"It was precisely the lack of an enemy that laid bare sectional division and smoothed the road to civil war. In the same speech, Lincoln predicted, “If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher.” Without a foreign danger to occupy their thoughts, Americans focused on domestic fissures, especially over slavery. On the eve of the Civil War, the U.S. secretary of state even suggested declaring war on France and Spain to deliberately create a unifying enemy and ward off disunion. If the United States were attacked by a foreign power, “the hills of South Carolina would pour forth their population to the rescue of New York.” Prof Dominic Tierney
http://nationalinterest.org/print/feature/does-america-need-enemy-18106?...
Today, US exhibits the classic traits of an era of safety. People are restless, divided, partisan, distrustful of institutions, unsure of America’s identity and role in the world, and skeptical about the use of force. They want to focus on domestic issues.
Paradoxically what US lacks today is a threatening rival who can also reinforce a sense of national identity.
But history is full of incidents of societies having descended into internal strife because of the destruction of its enemy.
Marx was uncannily prophetic saying History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.
"It was precisely the lack of an enemy that laid bare sectional division and smoothed the road to civil war. In the same speech, Lincoln predicted, “If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher.” Without a foreign danger to occupy their thoughts, Americans focused on domestic fissures, especially over slavery. On the eve of the Civil War, the U.S. secretary of state even suggested declaring war on France and Spain to deliberately create a unifying enemy and ward off disunion. If the United States were attacked by a foreign power, “the hills of South Carolina would pour forth their population to the rescue of New York.” Prof Dominic Tierney
http://nationalinterest.org/print/feature/does-america-need-enemy-18106?...
Today, US exhibits the classic traits of an era of safety. People are restless, divided, partisan, distrustful of institutions, unsure of America’s identity and role in the world, and skeptical about the use of force. They want to focus on domestic issues.
Paradoxically what US lacks today is a threatening rival who can also reinforce a sense of national identity.
4
I disagree; such broad historiosophical generalizations tend to fall apart under detailed scrutiny, but at least it's an interesting and refreshing proposition.
The "history repeats itself" quote was from Hegel, not Marx.
I'm guessing there were no cries of an "Imperial Presidency" from the republicans as they moved to rein in Tsar Trump the Horrible.
6
The same voters who installed the inexperienced celebrity Donald Trump are ready to elect Kid Rock.
As former director of national intelligence James Clapper just said,
"I sometimes wonder whether what (Trump's) about is making Russia great again."
Putin once called Trump colorful, but Trump thought he said genius.
Now we're left stunned as Trump asks if he can pardon himself.
As former director of national intelligence James Clapper just said,
"I sometimes wonder whether what (Trump's) about is making Russia great again."
Putin once called Trump colorful, but Trump thought he said genius.
Now we're left stunned as Trump asks if he can pardon himself.
8
Good that the system of checks and balances hasn't been completely demolished yet by Trump the tin pot Putin wannabee.
It is comforting that someone in Washington still is using their brains
and not relying so much on rah rah rah sis boom bah gut level.
If the increased sanctions bill goes to Trump for signature it will be very
telling to see if Trump signs it or not.
The ongoing Russia investigations may paint him into a corner because
he might not want to appear too soft on Russia. Of course we don't know how much Trump was possibly paid by Putin for his loyalty and we do know for sure how very much Donald J. Trump loves money. More than he loves America? I can't say but I think there's a real good chance Trump does love money more than Trump loves America. America is just a way for Trump to get richer. Trump is not a way for America to become greater.
It is comforting that someone in Washington still is using their brains
and not relying so much on rah rah rah sis boom bah gut level.
If the increased sanctions bill goes to Trump for signature it will be very
telling to see if Trump signs it or not.
The ongoing Russia investigations may paint him into a corner because
he might not want to appear too soft on Russia. Of course we don't know how much Trump was possibly paid by Putin for his loyalty and we do know for sure how very much Donald J. Trump loves money. More than he loves America? I can't say but I think there's a real good chance Trump does love money more than Trump loves America. America is just a way for Trump to get richer. Trump is not a way for America to become greater.
4
Why are US Congress people so keen on handing China hegemony? While military non-solutions are weakening the US (think of the cost, human, financial, social of the unwinnable Afghanistan war) China is slowly and discreetly rising to the top. Now the US is creating a stronger Russia-China alliance. Obama was right on Iran and the way diplomacy can avoid war, now the neocons have won and it's threats all over and support for war and terrible Saudi Arabia.
It is not just with Trump that the US is shooting itself in the foot it seems most of its political class plays the same game. And liberal media lionize McCain a war-monger accelerating America's demise. Trump, the neocons and their new Dem allies are Chinese agents (though they don't seem to know). George W Bush ignited the whole world and now a new bout is developing. Leaders in Beijing must be very happy.
It is not just with Trump that the US is shooting itself in the foot it seems most of its political class plays the same game. And liberal media lionize McCain a war-monger accelerating America's demise. Trump, the neocons and their new Dem allies are Chinese agents (though they don't seem to know). George W Bush ignited the whole world and now a new bout is developing. Leaders in Beijing must be very happy.
4
China so our enemy as is Russia. True enemies
It is great to see so many progressive liberals suddenly supporting actions of a Republican congress.
1
You do know there are democrats in congress, too. And they all voted for this. Only two voted no. Who are they?
Its great to see mostly-silent Republicans suddenly supporting actions against the 'crooked' Russia's election tampering.
Hopefully next up: Our 'Crooked' White House members who were complicit.
Hopefully next up: Our 'Crooked' White House members who were complicit.
It's always a shock to Mr. Trump when he's forced to realize that there are two other, co-equal branches of government that can check his abuses of power. I can only imagine the tweets that will ensue as Trump calls this bill "very,very unfair" and all those who voted for it "losers."
It's getting real old, Donald, real, real, very, very old.
It's getting real old, Donald, real, real, very, very old.
3
Is this hope I'm feeling? Hope that we are finally seeing bipartisanship from our Congress? Hope that our country will gain back some respect from our allies? Hope that Trump may finally have to acknowledge he's been wrong on Russia? Ok that last one will never happen, but after these 6 very long months I'm feeling hope for our country.
2
Well if you filed bankruptcy four times, and still needed creditors, it would seem realistic to hold an alliance (maybe even an allegiance) with the home of origin of your new creditor(s).
4
I am a psychologist. Professionally, we cannot comment on the President's health, although millions have.
The millions have it right.
The millions have it right.
4
This bill is most likely to be "pocket" vetoed. Trump will ask Congress to continue to work on his health care bill through the recess, they are unlikely to do so, and without a signature, the bill will die. What a sham...
2
This is a warranted step, but it should have been done a year ago.
1
I'm glad to see the GOP congress developed 5% of a spine. If they were serious about standing up for America, they'd develop the other 95% and start holding Trump accountable. Ever the cowards, the GOP leadership will only do so when the wind has long since shifted against them, as it surely will, and they fear losing the next election. So much for leadership.
If this sanctions bill passes the House and the Senate with a veto-proof majority, the message that it will send to this very concerned U.S. Citizen is: When the President doesn't take appropriate action, the Congress takes over.
3
Wow. The Republicans took a stand when it didn't jeopardize their own narrow interests and it makes them look like they are standing up to the President.
3
This is the most encouraging news in months. More importantly, it is a strong indication that our government can function as it is intended - for the good of all the people. I urge the news media to cover all possible benefits to this new direction in Congress, and forego, at least for a while, the meaningless excesses if 24-hour media competition.
What an artful way to remove a president!
Trump has become a liability for nearly everyone by now, but half of everyone in Congress can't or won't just say so...at least not without being pitch-forked by Trump's "No Bridge Too Far" base.
Now Putin has to do their dirty work for them. He may or may not oblige.
If there's still time, I would suggest changing the name of this legislation to "The 2017 Act to Salvage What Remains of the Republican Party Before It's Too Late."
Trump has become a liability for nearly everyone by now, but half of everyone in Congress can't or won't just say so...at least not without being pitch-forked by Trump's "No Bridge Too Far" base.
Now Putin has to do their dirty work for them. He may or may not oblige.
If there's still time, I would suggest changing the name of this legislation to "The 2017 Act to Salvage What Remains of the Republican Party Before It's Too Late."
2
It's a very sad day when the POTUS does not trust our Intelligence community and buddies up to Putin. Congress and the Senate had better take off the blinders and deal with this problem. This is the first step in the right direction. Muller has been able to keep a lid on his investigation which will shed light on our shady president.
2
This explains it. If all it takes for Trump to reject sound evidence about something is the fact that the person who produced it is hostile to him, we can understand his rejection of global warming. Almost all scientists (including myself) are hostile to him, justifying his rejection of scientific facts.
1
How mind-blowingly tragic is it that Congress must pass a law to prevent the President from dealing in subterfuge with an adversary?
Could there be an any clearer vote of no confidence by Congress that the President will act in the best interests of the US which was his oath of office? Even though Congress appears to think the President is not trustworthy to act in the best interests of the US on matters related to Russia --- probably due to his financial self-interest --- the GOP seems unwilling to impeach until Trump blatantly reveals his true colors as a self-interested crook.
The question is how much damage will be done to our beloved country before that happens?
Could there be an any clearer vote of no confidence by Congress that the President will act in the best interests of the US which was his oath of office? Even though Congress appears to think the President is not trustworthy to act in the best interests of the US on matters related to Russia --- probably due to his financial self-interest --- the GOP seems unwilling to impeach until Trump blatantly reveals his true colors as a self-interested crook.
The question is how much damage will be done to our beloved country before that happens?
My Senator, Schumer, and others are out of touch with reality and with the voters. Congress has a responsibility to keep us safe, not provoke other countries into war as they are doing now with proposed sanctions. These politicians may detest Donald Trump, but that is no excuse. There is not a proven case against Russia, and the Democrats are frightening in their insane march into the unknown.
3
Finally Congress has regained its faculties, after unnecessarily causing the American people a lot of anxiety for nothing. A lot of time lost to do important things. I feel better today.
1
I wonder what the reaction would be if Trump decided to lift the sanctions this week before or after he vetoes the bill?
It's amazing to me that in a country where the word "democracy" is thrown around like confetti, "we the people", and of course, or politicos, know very little about what demoskratia means, and especially its true origins which brings us to this uber political conflict about Russia, its alleged hacking into our political process, and Trumps' affinity for Putin for whatever reasons he may have.
First, the congress is merely doing what it has been doing for many years- theater! with legislative interruptions. Second, if the electorate was not so dominated by the falsification of consciousness, there would be no President Donald Trump! Third, from this perspective, in a true democracy, the electorate would know that only the absence of democracy can make a "democratic state" vulnerable to foreign and domestic enemies. So in its proper state, a true democracy would not be concern with a Russian ploy to undermine our electoral process. However, in a true democracy, when there are those from within who seek to suppress a Right that was not granted by mere mortals but by Natural Law, the whole body politic, like an immune response, would rise up in a state of urgent condemnation! But that didn't happen in America! Because that was perceived business as usual.
First, the congress is merely doing what it has been doing for many years- theater! with legislative interruptions. Second, if the electorate was not so dominated by the falsification of consciousness, there would be no President Donald Trump! Third, from this perspective, in a true democracy, the electorate would know that only the absence of democracy can make a "democratic state" vulnerable to foreign and domestic enemies. So in its proper state, a true democracy would not be concern with a Russian ploy to undermine our electoral process. However, in a true democracy, when there are those from within who seek to suppress a Right that was not granted by mere mortals but by Natural Law, the whole body politic, like an immune response, would rise up in a state of urgent condemnation! But that didn't happen in America! Because that was perceived business as usual.
1
This is prima facie evidence that even our republican representatives don't trust Trump's motives for trying to abolish sanctions against Russia.
To think that after all their efforts to get Trump elected and now they can't cash in their winning ticket.
To think that after all their efforts to get Trump elected and now they can't cash in their winning ticket.
1
So now we have a Congress willing to offer some consequence for the Russians interfering in our election. Now that same Congress needs to provide consequences for those in our country who, at the very least, stood on the sidelines and cheered for that interference. They were bad actors as well.
Trump has intentionally tried to muddy the waters and confuse Americans into thinking that several of the major Intelligence agencies in this nation were just making something up with regards to Russia's role in attempting to interfere in our elections. He speaks vagaries that the masses will remember and he successfully sows doubt. When Trump, arguably one of the most powerful men on the earth right now, wakes up in the morning, does he look in the mirror and say: "Hmm, what can I do to benefit this great country of America and the great Americans that greatly dwell within?" or does he muse "How am I going to protect and advance myself, my image, my organization, my businesses, my wealth, my family, my associates (in that order). Oh, and maybe the other 319,999,950 Americans in this country, maybe..."
2
Thank God the Congress can make this decision. The Congress and Senate must have the larger political, international and moral compass and this is the right move.
Please Congress and Senate, step up and protect America from the current White House. Focus on obstruction of justice, emoluments clause violations and conflict of interest. Ken Starrs memo is clear. Paraphrasing the late great Johnny Cochran,"if the evidence is right, we must indict."
Please Congress and Senate, step up and protect America from the current White House. Focus on obstruction of justice, emoluments clause violations and conflict of interest. Ken Starrs memo is clear. Paraphrasing the late great Johnny Cochran,"if the evidence is right, we must indict."
Kudos to the Congress for having a spine on something. The Russian hacking of the election was real and the depth of the hack still isn't fully known or appreciated by the public. It was an act of war.
Last week, we observed the U.S. media, the U.S. Justice Department, the U.S. intelligence community, and the U.S. Congress rigorously repel and strengthen an assault on this authoritarian-leaning administration. Bravo Americans.
The President would not have to either sign or veto the bill. He might also choose to let it pass, but without his signature. Or, if Congress was out of session within a 10 day window (business days, that is) the bill would quietly die.
This latter is known as a pocket veto, and might be relevant, given the lateness of the session.
This latter is known as a pocket veto, and might be relevant, given the lateness of the session.
In the end, Donald Trump might be defeated not by the will of the people but by the bureaucratic game in DC. Ironically, a political game being played by his own party, the GOP. Mission impossible any attempt to drain the swamp.
1
Finally Congress is going to do what is right rather than do what is in their individual self interest. Will this awakening continue?
I think Trump will veto the bill. Adding sanctions on Iran, while intended to win his support, like "the cherry on top", will not change his mind. I'm surprised they were added, given the rest of the West's positive relations with them since the anti-nuclear accord.
Sanctions on North Korea? What could they possibly be? They are self-isolated and potentially can nuke the Pacific region. Sanctions will not stop that. Trump knows the U.S. can blast them out of existence at their first attack. (mind you, I am not for nuclear war and it's fallout).
Trump will not support continued and more sanctions on Russia. He's been socializing with Russian leaders for years, and accepted millions in Russian loans for his campaign. He sees them as friends, wants to "go around" their interference in the 2016 election and seeks to turn a personal profit in oil.
His record shows he only has his interests, and maybe those of his family, at heart. He has no knowledge about, or particular concern for, America or the world.
It's clear he wants to be obeyed and fears being "fired". He might demand Russia be removed from the bill, leaving North Korea and Iran, and then he'll sign it -- an empty piece of legislation.
Russia is at the heart of this bill and I'm glad Congress finally worked together for a good cause.
Now, they need to gear up for a veto override.
Sanctions on North Korea? What could they possibly be? They are self-isolated and potentially can nuke the Pacific region. Sanctions will not stop that. Trump knows the U.S. can blast them out of existence at their first attack. (mind you, I am not for nuclear war and it's fallout).
Trump will not support continued and more sanctions on Russia. He's been socializing with Russian leaders for years, and accepted millions in Russian loans for his campaign. He sees them as friends, wants to "go around" their interference in the 2016 election and seeks to turn a personal profit in oil.
His record shows he only has his interests, and maybe those of his family, at heart. He has no knowledge about, or particular concern for, America or the world.
It's clear he wants to be obeyed and fears being "fired". He might demand Russia be removed from the bill, leaving North Korea and Iran, and then he'll sign it -- an empty piece of legislation.
Russia is at the heart of this bill and I'm glad Congress finally worked together for a good cause.
Now, they need to gear up for a veto override.
The Russians tampered with our election, but the notion that that accounted for Trump's margin of defeat is widely disputed. They invaded Ukraine, taking over Crimea, which has had minimal, if any, effect on US interests. And they support Assad in Syria, which is entirely within their rights.
The notion that the Russians are our natural enemy is a gross exaggeration for those of us who lived through the Cold War. The real hostility between the two countries is based on competition over oil. The Russians act like powerful imperialists, but they have little to back that up. The Republicans are supporting sanctions mostly to support Exxon. Why you and I are supposed to view the Russians as our natural enemy is difficult to fathom, We should be far more concerned with the ever-aggressive Chinese and the terrorists.
The notion that the Russians are our natural enemy is a gross exaggeration for those of us who lived through the Cold War. The real hostility between the two countries is based on competition over oil. The Russians act like powerful imperialists, but they have little to back that up. The Republicans are supporting sanctions mostly to support Exxon. Why you and I are supposed to view the Russians as our natural enemy is difficult to fathom, We should be far more concerned with the ever-aggressive Chinese and the terrorists.
3
There is a remarkable lack of substance in a remarkably long article here. First, "sanctions" seem to imply 'partisan-formed punishments" for nondescript players until the Big Three (Iran, North Korea, and Russia) hijack the topic entirely, excluding anything but politics in its "focus." Even harder to see anything significant in common among these three, which can't bode well for the policy as a whole. If the Republicans need to send a message to these three principal players, the Democrats should show some understanding of "accountability" for the final result, not just this administrations reactions to what it doesn't know and can't explain.
2
This is a cunning move by the Republican Congress presently investigating the implications of Russian manipulation of our election. If Trump signs the bill in agreement with it, he would deny conscious cooperation with Russians, but if Trump vetoes the bill, it will implicate him in a very hard to defeat claim by any legal challenge to him that he is protecting Russia.
Where was congress when Putin was invading Crimea? Where was congress when Obama knew in August of 2016 that Russia was trying to meddle in the election? Congress now has the courage to place sanctions on Russia is a little too late. Trump should veto this bill and any President would veto a bill that required Congress to review his further actions it is just not logical to expect Trump to sign this. Congress cannot even agree on anything so to expect intelligent discussion on what a President actions are is giving them too much credit and the Republicans to go along with this is stabbing Trump in the back. Trumps only choice is veto the bill till they take out the review process.
1
It hard to see so many people doing such ridiculous things:
- Congress living in a parallel truth echo chamber regarding Russia for which there isn't a shred of evidence.
- the US as a country declaring a kind of economic war against the rest of the world and completely giving up on free trade as a tool to further freedom and prosperity.
- the Republicans handcuffing their president in the full knowledge that they very likely never will be able to withdraw this law during Trump's term.
- Congress living in a parallel truth echo chamber regarding Russia for which there isn't a shred of evidence.
- the US as a country declaring a kind of economic war against the rest of the world and completely giving up on free trade as a tool to further freedom and prosperity.
- the Republicans handcuffing their president in the full knowledge that they very likely never will be able to withdraw this law during Trump's term.
Trump's irrational attitude toward Putin and his disparaging of our Republic can only mean one thing: he is compromised. Not being all that intelligent, he will veto the sanctions, which will confirm what I think we already can guess with some certainty: he has laundered money for Russians and or there are other incriminating files on him, including that dossier. As they say, you can't make this stuff up. I for one am rooting for our democracy.
It's refreshing to see Congress uniting on the same side, especially so because they're signaling to the rest of the world that the Trump circus is not to be taken seriously. The best way to do that, of course, is to lock crazy old Uncle Don in his room, with a toy phone that doesn't actually tweet.
It feels like one good thing may come of this disastrous Trump presidency -- the growing over-empowerment of the executive branch, particularly in war and foreign affairs, may finally be curtailed, as the other branches of government are forced to step up and assert their powers to limit Trump's damage.
Trump will simply certify that the conditions that resulted in the sanctions have been changed for the better and remove the sanctions. He has the power and the authority to do this. The only thing preventing him doing that is the milk toast Republican Congress and they will back down as soon as the primaried card is played.
The Donald has been breaking laws for so long that this is a piece of cake. After all, he is the president and if the president says it is the law, it is the law. Especially with Congress and the supreme court backing him.
The Donald has been breaking laws for so long that this is a piece of cake. After all, he is the president and if the president says it is the law, it is the law. Especially with Congress and the supreme court backing him.
Trump asked Russia if they were listening and to participate in investigating 30K emails. Why would it ever come to the lips of an individual running for a public office let alone the highest office. Evidently Russia has always been listening and now sanctions include these actions of theirs. If I were Putin I would point out this invitation to investigate a US official and put to question their compliance. But Putin is more likely focused on the billions floating around in various US hedge funds and concernwd if a Congress is going to require accountancy of this capital by the hedge fund folks, many of whom back and even "love" Trump.
I'm disappointed that congressional Democrats are so willing to join Republicans in this bullying Game of Sanctions.
It is hypocritical for the US to claim any international moral superiority after spending the last 100 years meddling in the internal affairs of other countries (including an expeditionary invasion of Russia in 1918 which is probably not forgotten there). Iran's not going to collapse, so why not learn to get along? North Korea wants to sit down and negotiate a permanent peace with South Korea, with recognition of North Korea as a legitimate state. You may not like the regime in North Korea (neither do I) but that's not up to us. Just sit down like an adult and make peace, then we can all move on. And save a bundle on foreign military spending, to boot.
Besides which, sanctions accomplish nothing in the way of diplomatic progress. It is nothing but aggression through economics and it will only serve to stiffen the resolve of the sanctioned countries to resist. We would feel the same here if it happened to us, so why expect others to feel differently?
I am so tired of the US imperial attitude.
It is hypocritical for the US to claim any international moral superiority after spending the last 100 years meddling in the internal affairs of other countries (including an expeditionary invasion of Russia in 1918 which is probably not forgotten there). Iran's not going to collapse, so why not learn to get along? North Korea wants to sit down and negotiate a permanent peace with South Korea, with recognition of North Korea as a legitimate state. You may not like the regime in North Korea (neither do I) but that's not up to us. Just sit down like an adult and make peace, then we can all move on. And save a bundle on foreign military spending, to boot.
Besides which, sanctions accomplish nothing in the way of diplomatic progress. It is nothing but aggression through economics and it will only serve to stiffen the resolve of the sanctioned countries to resist. We would feel the same here if it happened to us, so why expect others to feel differently?
I am so tired of the US imperial attitude.
2
For everyone who insists that Trump is unstable and impulsive, this only shows that Congress is even worse. The hearings on so-called Russian interference in American democracy, the lack of any reliable evidence of Russian interference, the fact that United States interferes regularly in the political affairs of other nations, in the inexplicable need to make Russia an enemy lead me to fear Congress much more than President Trump. I can only guess that the deep state and our embarrassing representatives need to justify increased military spending into distract the American public from the fact that our democratic process has become a pathetic failure.
2
Even if the president vetoes this bill, wouldn't the fairly united congress just veto him over? That would be humiliating even for Trump. Tough situation for him. Glad Congress is actually working together on something.
We and the authors see that as a judgment call that Trump will have to make: Acknowledge the voice of the Congress and Senate, or veto.
I'm surprised at how many people think that Trump will even consider the first. Trump has made it plain, time and time again, that no one tells him what to do, even when he knows it's right. Judgment - the weighing of outcomes and consequences - hasn't been a factor since he took office. He won't be able to see this normal legislative move as anything other than a threat to his authority, and he has repeatedly demonstrated that threats to his perceived authority will rub him the wrong way (and have him tweeting all night long).
I'm surprised at how many people think that Trump will even consider the first. Trump has made it plain, time and time again, that no one tells him what to do, even when he knows it's right. Judgment - the weighing of outcomes and consequences - hasn't been a factor since he took office. He won't be able to see this normal legislative move as anything other than a threat to his authority, and he has repeatedly demonstrated that threats to his perceived authority will rub him the wrong way (and have him tweeting all night long).
1
A part of me would like to see Trump veto the bill, and let him suffer the political consequences. After all, these sanctions are not going to change the behavior of any of the sanctioned countries; its just a feel good measure to let them know that we disapprove of their conduct. That said, I do feel good that the Congress has told Trump where to stick it. Maybe after 2018, we will see more of that.
I am unsure of my own opinion of the legislation or bill because of the "punishment" Russia will have to face. Depending on the "punishment" the legislation could be one of justice or the complete opposite. The specific wording of this article creates a bit of worry for Russia, at least in my case. Though what Russia did is completely wrong, we don't want to make any wrong moves and provoke them. With Trumps "diplomatic initiatives", signing the legislation could most likely jeopardize his chances of achieving his plans.
There are many options and choices for Trump with dealing with this delicate situation. He could sacrifice his image and reputation by vetoing the bill, or he could sign it despite his administration opposing it. One way or another, Trump will eventually have to sacrifice greatly once he makes his decision.
I feel that Trump is destroying his image already by his past actions, as a result many citizens and other people are doubting his choices. As the article states, vetoing the bill might "fuel accusations that he is doing the bidding of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia." That hypothesis is a highly likely one. Judging by the many stories centered on Trump doing "something" that "someone" doesn't like, those accusations can persuade more people to start disagreeing with him. Trump is also being heavily pressured since there are many people who have already voted for the bill. Not only will he be judged by the public, but also by the Congress.
There are many options and choices for Trump with dealing with this delicate situation. He could sacrifice his image and reputation by vetoing the bill, or he could sign it despite his administration opposing it. One way or another, Trump will eventually have to sacrifice greatly once he makes his decision.
I feel that Trump is destroying his image already by his past actions, as a result many citizens and other people are doubting his choices. As the article states, vetoing the bill might "fuel accusations that he is doing the bidding of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia." That hypothesis is a highly likely one. Judging by the many stories centered on Trump doing "something" that "someone" doesn't like, those accusations can persuade more people to start disagreeing with him. Trump is also being heavily pressured since there are many people who have already voted for the bill. Not only will he be judged by the public, but also by the Congress.
Follow the money, for it is increasingly likely, given Trump's affinity for and defense of all things Russian and the fact that he said it was "an honor" to meet Putin that Trump's business dealings with Russia will prove to be the reason for his denial. An American President's unwillingness to protect American vital interests against persistent, provocative and hostile foreign interference is a clear denial of the oath to protect and defend the United States. His potential veto of the new sanctions and/or unwillingness to implement them will be solid evidence of his complicity with Putin. Perhaps not the legal evidence that his supporters say is nonexistent, but clear enough to at least two thirds of the country and to most politicians who face reelection in 15 months.
2
Trump loves to sign bills. As he has said about the Republican monstrosity also known as BCRA, the response to the heartless AHCA, he has "pen in hand."
There, he can sign this Russian sanction bill. But really, Ryan & the Republican crew has softened the bill to such a degree that Putin can still claim victory. Fancy Bear and Cozy Bear are still on the loose. When President Obama told China to cool it, at least the Chinese hacking unit pretended to comply. Putin simply doubles down.
So instead of signing the bill, you may see Trump go on the attack instead, like instead of talking about Sessions's relationship with the Russian, he complained why and how the Russian intercepted communique is leaked. He may just go back to his stock attack box, like China or the wall. His tricks are pretty staled by now though
There, he can sign this Russian sanction bill. But really, Ryan & the Republican crew has softened the bill to such a degree that Putin can still claim victory. Fancy Bear and Cozy Bear are still on the loose. When President Obama told China to cool it, at least the Chinese hacking unit pretended to comply. Putin simply doubles down.
So instead of signing the bill, you may see Trump go on the attack instead, like instead of talking about Sessions's relationship with the Russian, he complained why and how the Russian intercepted communique is leaked. He may just go back to his stock attack box, like China or the wall. His tricks are pretty staled by now though
20
About time that our Congress stopped Russia for its transgressions against the US, since our Manchurian President, Trump, who is loathe to do so, for his inexplicable reasons, should be exposed.
Further it has been reported that Russia would consider this legislation "quite negatively". Our democratic actions are none of their kleptocratic business. Conversely, when was the last time when Russia sought our opinion about their potential and actual actions and that of their oligarchs, against the US?
Further it has been reported that Russia would consider this legislation "quite negatively". Our democratic actions are none of their kleptocratic business. Conversely, when was the last time when Russia sought our opinion about their potential and actual actions and that of their oligarchs, against the US?
25
The reasons aren't inexplicable, there is probably only one reason-money. He's tied up with Russia financially which I'm sure is why he lost it when he found out Mueller had access to his taxes. You know, the ones he refused to release.
Trump was left alone on the Senate's ACA repeal and replace bill by his own party, so is he now on the issue of sanctions against Russia that the bipartisan Congressional push has really made possible. What more evidence one needs to prove that Trump is not only misfit for the job he has managed to grab even after losing the popular vote, about 30 million, but wholly incapable to learn the art of statecraft that requires a different set of skills than needed for the shady business deals, he's accustomed to.
43
Sir, you mean three million not thirty, don't you?!
Yes. Thanks for the correction.
So nice to see bipartisan agreement on something! So nice to see the US stand up to Russia for meddling in our election! Trump doesn't deserve to have his criminal conspiracy with his buddy Vladmir, supported by either party.
89
"a move that would fuel accusations that he is doing the bidding of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia"
Everything he does or does not do fuels those accusations.
The real question is whether increased hostility with Russia is in the national interest of the US.
The US has many vital interests in play right now. North Korea nukes. Defeat in Syria and Libya and Afghanistan. Avoiding disaster in Yemen. Reorganizing our relations with China. Following up the Iran deal. Even Ukraine was started with our help and has gone bad, compared to what we'd wanted when we started it.
In all of these things Russia can help. Is it in our best interest right now to fight with Russia right now? All of these things can get worse.
Meanwhile, what can get better from fighting with Russia now? Embarrassing Trump? He does that every day himself.
Everything he does or does not do fuels those accusations.
The real question is whether increased hostility with Russia is in the national interest of the US.
The US has many vital interests in play right now. North Korea nukes. Defeat in Syria and Libya and Afghanistan. Avoiding disaster in Yemen. Reorganizing our relations with China. Following up the Iran deal. Even Ukraine was started with our help and has gone bad, compared to what we'd wanted when we started it.
In all of these things Russia can help. Is it in our best interest right now to fight with Russia right now? All of these things can get worse.
Meanwhile, what can get better from fighting with Russia now? Embarrassing Trump? He does that every day himself.
12
You make a good point. Would we be doing more harm than good if we went after Putin? I believe that there are some issues that should be non-negotiable. No matter how "crazy and unpredictable" Mr. Putin and Mr. Trump would like to portray themselves in order to frighten and subdue opposition we need to remember who we are, what we stand for, and how far we are willing to be pushed.
I have great confidence and admiration for our military. I also have great respect for our diplomatic corps, no matter what Trump says or does to minimize their standing.
I believe we are under unprecedented attack by enemies foreign and domestic at this moment and it is critical that we stand together and with unambiguous resolve in the face of these threats.
Should we second guess and equivocate now? No. We should remember how are parents and grandparents reacted and came together when they were confronted by chaos.
I have great confidence and admiration for our military. I also have great respect for our diplomatic corps, no matter what Trump says or does to minimize their standing.
I believe we are under unprecedented attack by enemies foreign and domestic at this moment and it is critical that we stand together and with unambiguous resolve in the face of these threats.
Should we second guess and equivocate now? No. We should remember how are parents and grandparents reacted and came together when they were confronted by chaos.
1
So since Russia MIGHT be able to help us in some of those areas the possible collusion between Trump and his campaign with Russia is a non issue? If the Russians own the President we should be ok with that because they might be able to help us in a few failing states in the Mideast?
"Ukraine was started with our help and has gone bad, compared to what we'd wanted when we started it."
Ukrainian president Yanukovych negotiated an association agreement with the EU that would have given Ukraine some leverage in dealing with Russia. Yanukovych secured backing from the parliament of Ukraine with 318 out of 449 votes in May, 2013 reflecting support from the vast majority of the people of Ukraine from all regions. Weeks before Yanukovych was planning to sign the agreement in November 2013 Putin pressured Yanukovych to abandon the agreement and to opt for joining the Russia-led Eurasian Union, which led to the Maidan demonstrations. Brutal measures including the shooting of demonstrators by security forces led to open revolt.
Yanukovych strongly opposed Russia's seizure of Crimea and would have resisted Russian attempts to seize Eastern Ukraine as well. But, he also caved to Russian pressure to back off of the agreement that he had negotiated which incurred the wrath of the people of Ukraine.
The Russian seizure of Crimea has been terrible for the people of Crimea and the war in Eastern Ukraine initiated by Russian forces has resulted in the death of over 10,000 people. Russia appears to have initiated these actions because of the perception of minimal risk since at the time NATO had no defensive doctrine against Russian aggression in Europe.
Ukrainian president Yanukovych negotiated an association agreement with the EU that would have given Ukraine some leverage in dealing with Russia. Yanukovych secured backing from the parliament of Ukraine with 318 out of 449 votes in May, 2013 reflecting support from the vast majority of the people of Ukraine from all regions. Weeks before Yanukovych was planning to sign the agreement in November 2013 Putin pressured Yanukovych to abandon the agreement and to opt for joining the Russia-led Eurasian Union, which led to the Maidan demonstrations. Brutal measures including the shooting of demonstrators by security forces led to open revolt.
Yanukovych strongly opposed Russia's seizure of Crimea and would have resisted Russian attempts to seize Eastern Ukraine as well. But, he also caved to Russian pressure to back off of the agreement that he had negotiated which incurred the wrath of the people of Ukraine.
The Russian seizure of Crimea has been terrible for the people of Crimea and the war in Eastern Ukraine initiated by Russian forces has resulted in the death of over 10,000 people. Russia appears to have initiated these actions because of the perception of minimal risk since at the time NATO had no defensive doctrine against Russian aggression in Europe.
1
Thanks to our founding fathers who were prescient enough to know that the executive branch needed to be kept in check.
Wrong.
The Presidential veto was to keep the Congress in check.
Wrong.
The Presidential veto was to keep the Congress in check.
19
Obviously, both are true. But the FF's were more concerned about an overreaching President than a Congress run amuck, so they gave Congress the final say, with the veto-override capability.
Congress can override a veto.
Congressional impeachment of Executive Branch officials keeps the Executive Branch in check, and a Presidential pardon can't override *that*
Congressional impeachment of Executive Branch officials keeps the Executive Branch in check, and a Presidential pardon can't override *that*
But the presidential veto was not meant to protect the family members or the president himself or his cronies from legitimate criminal and civil prosecution when the kind of evidence exists as it does.
Hello Comrade Donaldov,
I told you no sanctions!
You better do something or else,
I will be forced to spill the beans to your press.
You WILL NOT be happy, my friend!
I told you no sanctions!
You better do something or else,
I will be forced to spill the beans to your press.
You WILL NOT be happy, my friend!
76
Excellent. This is no time to go soft on Russia. Russia sees any "friendliness" as weakness and is just encouraged to continue violating international law.
If anything, the sanctions should be much harsher.
If anything, the sanctions should be much harsher.
67
I really wonder what "tweaks" were introduced at energy companies' behest?
1
So Corker and McConnell remain silent about the agreement?
I have begun wondering how many of my state's representatives would be willing to risk reelection to do the right thing.
I have begun wondering how many of my state's representatives would be willing to risk reelection to do the right thing.
60
An American president who won a disputed and narrow victory, but lost the popular vote by three million votes, normally do an outreach effort to bring us all together. Donald J Trump did none of those things. Just the opposite. He sought to divide us further. He desired to weaken, if not destroy, our cherished civic institutions of a free press and civic engagement. Who benefits I must ask? Who profits from our alienation and political division? The answer is obvious - Putin. We must expand the margin of the passage of the House bill to make sure a veto is not in the cards and Trump cannot sabotage the Congressional measure.
108
Isn't it obvious that the President of the United States has placed the nation's interests second to his own? Clearly that is something other than leadership.
94
Trump has 'placed the nation's interests second to his own'?
No. He, daily, places the nation's interests way way in the back of the bus to his own -- profits; I'd guess on most issues, in most cases, the nation's interests are completely out of sight.
No. He, daily, places the nation's interests way way in the back of the bus to his own -- profits; I'd guess on most issues, in most cases, the nation's interests are completely out of sight.
I guess the Russian adoptions really aren't the issue ?
64
Russia's adoption ban was imposed in retaliation for the Magnitsky Act sanctions against Russia, and the quid-pro-quo offered is to end the ban in return for ending the sanctions. So when you hear that "adoptions" are the issue... ending the sanctions is the issue.
Well of course they are. Trump adopted Russia.
Yes, Donald, presidents have to make difficult decisions, and not just do what they please.
39
The election of DT in the WH and dividing the US, Russia has accomplished more toward the goal of restoring the formal USSR and making Russia great again.
41
In the master game being played in DC it is beginning to look like the real opposition party is the intelligence wing of the national security establishment. The Democrats are all too happy to go along for the ride but they are not calling the shots. And Trump has wooed the military wing sufficiently to at least purchase their temporary neutrality -- they remain nervous about his impulsiveness. The military wing seems still in play.
The spook bureaucracy unanimously called out Russia for its election tampering, and while no hard proof has been produced, the circumstantial evidence is compelling for both the meddling and a more than trivial connection between Trump World and the Russian mafia capitalist oligarchy. Spook Pride is on the line. They appear confident.
Even so, as much as one may be disgusted by Trump, for some of us it is hard to unabashedly embrace the intelligence wing of the national security establishment as the saintly and selfless savior of all things worthwhile in American life. I try to be as trusting and full of patriotic faith as the next guy, but it just seems like it would be safer and smarter if there were some effective limits on the ability of the "intelligence community" to vacuum up every piece of data on every American citizen. Too much secret power in one place. Still, I loyally watch MSNBC and look into Brian Williams' puppy dog eyes and try to see the wonderful things he sees. I can't say it's working, but then it's still early in the game.
The spook bureaucracy unanimously called out Russia for its election tampering, and while no hard proof has been produced, the circumstantial evidence is compelling for both the meddling and a more than trivial connection between Trump World and the Russian mafia capitalist oligarchy. Spook Pride is on the line. They appear confident.
Even so, as much as one may be disgusted by Trump, for some of us it is hard to unabashedly embrace the intelligence wing of the national security establishment as the saintly and selfless savior of all things worthwhile in American life. I try to be as trusting and full of patriotic faith as the next guy, but it just seems like it would be safer and smarter if there were some effective limits on the ability of the "intelligence community" to vacuum up every piece of data on every American citizen. Too much secret power in one place. Still, I loyally watch MSNBC and look into Brian Williams' puppy dog eyes and try to see the wonderful things he sees. I can't say it's working, but then it's still early in the game.
9
Brian Williams 'sees' 'beauty in our weapons'. This, and his precious style and unctuous treatment of guests is why I can never watch the guy. (Along with his years-long dining out on the lie that he once was under fire by a helicopter or while in a helicopter or whatever.
Don't speak to me about the very mixed-up, unworthy, taking up space Brian Williams.
Don't speak to me about the very mixed-up, unworthy, taking up space Brian Williams.
I am counting on our intelligence community to save us. Do you hear me? At 56, this woman has never been so scared for her country. I'm sure that you "spooks" and "analysts" have saved us without our awareness many times over, but boy, we need you now.
" . . . the Republican majorities have been reticent to confront Mr. Trump." Shouldn't that be "reluctant"?
23
Punish Russia for election meddling? And passed with bipartisan vote?? But but but! Russia meddling in our election is fake news!! Trump says so therefore its the truth!! (Ask trump supporters!)
Wake up!
Wake up!
59
I'd like to ask you instead. Can you explain how Russia meddled in our elections? You sound like you know!
Thanks in advance for your answer.
Thanks in advance for your answer.
Soon we may see a situation we haven't seen in a long time: a Congress with higher popularity ratings than the current president.
86
We all were supposed to learn in the eighth grade that the Constitution separated the powers of government amongst three branches, Executive, Legislative, and Judicial in order to limit the ability of any one branch to become dominant over all. We have a government which is based upon laws and how a huge country can maintain democratic institutions while preserving liberty and equal protection under the laws.
Trump is trying with great sincerity and not a lot of intellectual effort to act with the authority of an absolute ruler like Putin has been able to achieve. He is dismissing the roles of the courts and the Congress where they fail to obey his preferences. If he continues down this road the Congress will have to choose to abandon our form of government for dictatorship or to impeach him.
Trump is trying with great sincerity and not a lot of intellectual effort to act with the authority of an absolute ruler like Putin has been able to achieve. He is dismissing the roles of the courts and the Congress where they fail to obey his preferences. If he continues down this road the Congress will have to choose to abandon our form of government for dictatorship or to impeach him.
82
Trump several weeks ago lauded Poland's president and just now it's parliament controlled by the Polish resident's party, effectively got rid of it's last check on power - it's courts. Trump was delighted with Saudi Arabia a few weeks before that even though their country funded terrorists and invaded countries it disagreed with. Trump, starting before he was elected, prounced his love admiration with Russia's Putin. Then Macon, when Trump visited, provided the military parade and pom that so entices Trump. Add to that Trump's love of all things military.
It is way beyond time for Congress (both parties) to put an end to the move to autocratic government we find ourselves staring at. It is no longer "them". It is becoming "us".
It is way beyond time for Congress (both parties) to put an end to the move to autocratic government we find ourselves staring at. It is no longer "them". It is becoming "us".
Exactly
I understand these sanctions still allow Russian/Exxon oil deals which is the whole point of Putin meddling in our election to begin with. So, how is this a win for anyone but Trump, Tillerson and Putin?
52
trump is the president of THIS constitutional democracy, in which politics is a team sport. Perhaps trump will eventually come to appreciate this point.
4
I like what Uncle Joe said: "He's the type of guy I would have loved to meet behind the high school."
Glad the Republicans decided to do the fast work with him, instead.
Old Jimma
Glad the Republicans decided to do the fast work with him, instead.
Old Jimma
14
Can anyone describe what the Russians did to meddle into our elections? Just repeating the charge doesn't answer the question. If you expect me, as a citizen, to support sanctions I'd like to know what the target of those sanctions did to earn them. Right now, with what I have in front of me, or rather - with what I do not have in front of me, these sanctions against Russia seem to be little more than your average political absurdity and I hope the President will veto these sanctions.
But I can be persuaded. Let's hear it. What did they do?
But I can be persuaded. Let's hear it. What did they do?
9
I guess you missed the part of what the intelligence agencies have concluded with high confidence. I can umderstand how you may feel however. the average citizen doesn't have the security clearances that our government officials have. if a bipartisan congress slaps those sanctions its. because they have seen the intelligence and are convinced its the prudent thing to do.
Are sanctions effective? it depends who you target. sanctions work well when you hit the pocketbooks of the elites in Power.
Are sanctions effective? it depends who you target. sanctions work well when you hit the pocketbooks of the elites in Power.
47
We already have sanctions in place against Russia . They haven't worked just as sanctions didn't work with Cuba. Now you want more of the same? Remember that old saying about doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results?
3
BigG - the same intelligence agencies who dropped the ball on 9/11 and Iraq. The same intelligence agencies that want nothing more than endless war. The same intelligence agencies with a revolving door to private military contractors aka war profiteers. Not buying it.
The charge is repeated over and over as truth, but no concrete evidence exists. The Russian "meddling" is a smokescreen to hide from the public the true fraudsters of this election: the DEMOCRATS who rigged the primary, committed election fraud, and campaign finance fraud. The media refuses to do their jobs and report on the matter despite the concrete evidence published by the election justice USA group. I guess they still want access to the imaginary Clinton administration that will never happen.
The charge is repeated over and over as truth, but no concrete evidence exists. The Russian "meddling" is a smokescreen to hide from the public the true fraudsters of this election: the DEMOCRATS who rigged the primary, committed election fraud, and campaign finance fraud. The media refuses to do their jobs and report on the matter despite the concrete evidence published by the election justice USA group. I guess they still want access to the imaginary Clinton administration that will never happen.
4
Not at all a fan of Trump. But sanctions on Russia are wrong. Sanctioning countries has done nothing other then curtail relations and harm business as well as individuals in both countries. We should have friendly relations with Russia, not because Russia is some liberal democracy ( It is very autocratic) but because it is better to trade and have diplomacy with countries then to be enemies. People are putting their hatred for Trump above good policy.
10
There have been reports that Trump has been offered substantial personal rewards to lift the sanctions and to recognize the Russian annexation of Crimea. It appears that a significant share of Congress are concerned that Trump could act to lift sanctions without approval from Congress so they pass this law by overwhelming vote to require Congressional approval and to impose additional sanctions to discourage further meddling by Russia. The intent is not to harm Russia but to discourage decisions by Russia that are counter to U.S. interests.
You don't make nice with the schoolyard bully because it's "better" to have diplomacy than to confront and punish the transgressor. As BigG from Florida noted above, sanctions actually do work when they target the proper pocketbooks. If our mega-corporations suffer some loss of profit, I'm not too concerned. Cut a few corporate CEO paychecks and stock options to make up for it.
Do you remember: what would be your alternative to sanctions? Just forget about what they did? Amass troops on their border? Remember this is not just about election meddling. They have invaded their neighbors as well. Do you wait until they do something worse, then act? Sanctions imposes a penalty on them. A penalty that can hurt their economy, hurt the oligarchs, and make them unpopular with their own voters. One of the consequences of low oil prices has been to severely damage the Russian economy. I have often wondered if the price of oil has been manipulated artificially to send messages not only to Russia, but other places as well. Pressure doesn't always come from behind the barrel of a gun.
One of the trickiest challenges for Trump, Fox News and The National Enquirer will be convincing the American people that anyone ("liberals") who fails to support the Kremlin's mission in America is "unpatriotic." Until Trump's election, I would have told you it couldn't be done.
47
Until Trump almost no one in the United States would have believed that a presidential candidate whose goal was to Make Russia Great Again would be elected president. But here we are. Sad, bigly sad.
Yes, and soon we will hear Trump supporters chanting his goal: Make Russia Great Again.
I suspect the topic won't come up very much in the "fair and balanced" media.
This is a test of Loyalty. Will Trump prove his loyalty by vetoing the bill?
20
Loyalty to who?
Why is it way too easy to picture Trump - if this passes - flaunting Congress and defying sanctions on Russia from this side of the ocean? Would Republicans care, or just shrug. Again.
18
... *flouting* Congress....
Please veto the bill, it will be absolutely hysterical.
21
Yes, at that level of support, swift override of a veto seems highly probable.
Gotta love those checks and balances!
27
Trump fits Putin's plans to a t and there's one huge, ugly, glaring fact,
it doesn't involve making America great again.
Thank God Congress proved that it can still act rationally in the face of Trump's ignorance or willful blindness.
If he chooses to veto the newest Russian sanctions, Congress should burn him by overriding it to send Putin a powerful message, that an Internet attack on our democracy is the same as a physical one and will be dealt with accordingly.
it doesn't involve making America great again.
Thank God Congress proved that it can still act rationally in the face of Trump's ignorance or willful blindness.
If he chooses to veto the newest Russian sanctions, Congress should burn him by overriding it to send Putin a powerful message, that an Internet attack on our democracy is the same as a physical one and will be dealt with accordingly.
33
Thanks to our founding fathers who were prescient enough to know that the executive branch needed to be kept in check. Thanks to our Senators for stopping the Trump train wreck.
15
Why was it not a unanimous vote. Why not? Who were the hold outs? C'mon WP, find out and report!!!
26
The WP might hear you better if you talked to them on the WP website and not the NYT site...
It somehow seems appropriate that Benjamin Cardin(Kardonsky)is in this photo praising Congress for their actions regarding sanctions against Russia and Iran. If it ever appeared unclear that the Russia issue was almost a personal vendetta of Special Interests that America has been dragged into, that suspicion seems to be confirmed as of late. Perhaps I am wrong, I certainly hope so, but punishing Russia and Iran seems more of a priority to some of our politicians than helping Americans in their time of need. I thought this approach was always the purview of the Cheney/Bush crowd, regrettably this may not be the case. We are better than this, American foreign policy is supposed to be just that, American foreign policy, not foreign policy for special interests but foreign policy for the benefit of all Americans, I fail to understand how these actions against Russia and Iran as well as our continued involvement in the wars and affairs of the M.E. have anything positive to offer the vast majority for the American people, it is draining our coffers and creating chaos around the world; is the agenda of a few more important than the welfare of the many? With so many enormous issues facing America, beginning with the inequality that has gripped our nation, I find this very troubling, war mongering in any form, or by any group, is not in the best interest of the American people, someone has to call out those contributing to these actions. The silence is deafening.
7
So you're suggesting Russia should be allowed to meddle in our elections with no repercussions? Insane.
Sounds like foolish rhetoric by a Putin KGB author, or a Miller/Bannon/Katz trump republican enabler with their offensive, juvenile, uninformed and twisted speech writing, or perhaps one of Tillerson's Sec'y of State staff lackeys, pulled from Exxon's public relations department.
The last paragraphs suggest that the interpretation of the law might be left to the Trump administration. With any other President that seems rational & due,but with Trumps current tweets on his ability to pardon, is he going to pardon Putin & Russia? I predict that Trump would only ever pardon himself,since that is his only real interest,ever.
14
I am heartened by this development. Maybe we will survive after all if Congress acts for the common good of all the people in this country. Time for Trump to read the Preamble to the Constitution. It's short and to the point.
30
My god, some common sense, and some political acumen and consensus!
Amazing - and as welcome as it is unusual.
Amazing - and as welcome as it is unusual.
22
The headline is misleading. It's not true that "Congress Reaches Deal..." until the House votes on it, and honestly, who can predict what the House will do on this subject.
23
Deals can fall through, but the headline doesn't say they have a bill. But they do have a deal to produce a bill. Nothing misleading.
There seems to be a lot going on with this legislation but you can bet on two things that are most definitely not happening: Republicans are growing spines and Congress is finding a new bipartisan amicability. Republican senators who support this legislation probably fall into two groups: 1) those who fear Trump may have actually been comprised by the Russians, and 2) those who want to distance themselves from future bombshells in the Russia investigation.
Senate Democrats, for their part, authentically want to punish Russia for its election meddling since, after all, it meddled against them and the next Congressional elections are only 16 months away. But their main motivation for pushing this bill is surely to create a legislative forum for scrutinizing any attempt by Trump to ease the sanctions Obama imposed.
Presidents will invariably oppose this type of Congressional encroachment on their authority to conduct foreign policy, just as Obama opposed the Magnitsky Act (not, as is sometimes hilariously charged, because Bill Clinton got a speaking fee). But Obama reluctantly signed the Magnitsky Act, and under the present circumstances, if Trump doesn't do the same it will show that he has some really, really important reasons for not doing so.
Senate Democrats, for their part, authentically want to punish Russia for its election meddling since, after all, it meddled against them and the next Congressional elections are only 16 months away. But their main motivation for pushing this bill is surely to create a legislative forum for scrutinizing any attempt by Trump to ease the sanctions Obama imposed.
Presidents will invariably oppose this type of Congressional encroachment on their authority to conduct foreign policy, just as Obama opposed the Magnitsky Act (not, as is sometimes hilariously charged, because Bill Clinton got a speaking fee). But Obama reluctantly signed the Magnitsky Act, and under the present circumstances, if Trump doesn't do the same it will show that he has some really, really important reasons for not doing so.
24
Tough choice for Trump? I thought he campaigned promising to Make Russia Great Again.
19
If Trump vetoes the bill, Congress can override his veto. This would be an added humiliation.
44
About time Congress performs its job, and sends a clear signal to the Executive power that our nation is not a dictatorship yet.
42
The man (and his father before him) accumulated such wealth under the shield of American law and society. And now he's a Russian asset.
Trump would seem to be a traitor as defined in our Constitution: "...adhering to their [the United states] Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort...". Last time I looked, Putin's Russia is easily recognizable as an enemy of the United States. Trump's actions certainly constitute aid and comfort to Russia.
Glad Congress seems to have enough courage for a small bandage on a serious wound. Hope they will find the courage to take measures we all know are needed to move America in the direction of recovery. Not holding my breath.
Trump would seem to be a traitor as defined in our Constitution: "...adhering to their [the United states] Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort...". Last time I looked, Putin's Russia is easily recognizable as an enemy of the United States. Trump's actions certainly constitute aid and comfort to Russia.
Glad Congress seems to have enough courage for a small bandage on a serious wound. Hope they will find the courage to take measures we all know are needed to move America in the direction of recovery. Not holding my breath.
36
It takes a Congressional declaration of war to define an "enemy of the United States", and that only lasts while the state of war is in effect. We have not had a legal state of war since the end of WWII (actually several years after V-E and V-J Days); not during the Korean, Vietnamese, or earlier Gulf conflicts, for instance, could a treason charge have stuck.
It is about time that the Republicans in Congress demonstrated they actually still care about foreign policy. If Trump is panicked now regarding Mueller's investigation into his finances, he will face the worst day of his life, as this point, when he is staring at a bill he must either sign, or demonstrate to the world, he is owned by either Putin, or Putin's Oligarchs. Passage of this legislation with a veto-proof majorities, will be the real beginning of the end for Donald J. Trump.
32
They should name the bill the McCain Bill.
39
One of the few sensible matters that might have arisen from Trump's deep involvement in all matters Russian is a modus vivendi for de-escalation , but the moralistic congressional bill will prevent that. So the Russians for obvious reasons supported our monster, the U>S has interfered in no end of foreign elections. Stop the pettiness, please
2
This appeasement of Russian interference in our elections by saying we do it too misses the point. The point isn't that we also interfere in other elections in ways the Russians might object to, but that we have the right, in fact, the obligation, as a sovereign nation, to protect the citizenry and the government from attacks, whether military or cyber-election hacking. Also, I prefer our system, where you can criticize the government without being jailed or killed, so if you feel there is no difference between our system and theirs we have a profound disagreement on morality, as well as on facts.
40
I think the absolute worst way a person can manipulate an election is to refuse to allow any opposition to run against him.
Who is running against Putin in March 2018 BTW? Has he allowed anyone to be certified to run against him yet?
Who is running against Putin in March 2018 BTW? Has he allowed anyone to be certified to run against him yet?
12
It doesn't matter. Voters are given pre-marked ballots.
This is Trump's first big test. If he vetoes the bill, he proves that he is Putin's puppet. If he signs the bill, Putin will be mad at him and retaliate in some fashion.
39
Now. Let them all stand together, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
9
Wow, Congress sure is getting "tough" with Trump... It is nice of them to finally work as a unit and put their foot down on something. Anything. Where are our checks and balances when we need them? It isn't supposed to be easy to impeach a president--but by God, what is this Congress waiting for? This is insane. Our nation is in danger. Do your duty, Congress!
31
Before we go full-on "kumbayah" with congressional Republicans remember it behooves them to keep Trump on tenterhooks lest he actually start to initiate some of the populist rhetoric he spewed on the campaign trail.
17
A military coup d'etat is beginning to look attractive...
14
So you advocate violently overthrowing the US government? Your motivations are not clear, but they are irresponsible regardless of your partisan position.
8
Have you followed Trump's favorite talk-radio host, Alex Jones of InfoWars, on whose show he's actually appeared? On June 23 he said, "I don’t need some coming-of-age deal to kill a bunch of liberals," but "we have to start getting ready for insurrection and civil war...". Trump has yet to denounce or in any way separate himself from Jones's violent rhetoric.
Wait, you don't know that CW II has already started? You've got to try to keep up.
Thank you Congress for working together and taking the lead. NOW work together to improve the ACA.
30
Usurpation of the President's power to conduct US foreign policy will be one precedent of this bill that will haunt future administrations. Furthermore, its actual intent is, not to punish Russia, Iran of North Korea for misdeeds that are more in the imagination of the bill's sponsors than in actuality, but an attempt to stifle the building of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, in a futile attempt to advantage US LNG sales to Europe. Russia will still have an advantage in that area and it will not have to destroy its environment with fracking, as the US is doing. Europe, particularly Germany, is livid about this bill. And lastly, the bill is a violation of international law. Only the Security Council of the UN can legally impose sanctions on any country.
5
Russia won't have to destroy its own environment with fracking because Putin is going to destroy the global environment by drilling the Arctic instead.
9
Wow, there isn't one thing in that post that is correct. Amazing.
Uh, no .. to pretty much everything you said
The privilege of being an American carries with it responsibilities. Thanking the Congressional Leaders for reaching these tough agreements.
6
If Mr Trump does indeed veto this bill, supported by an overwhelmingly large Congressional majority, surely the onus will be on him to issue a detailed and considered explanation for his action. A similar standard would also apply to any pardons, especially nepotistic ones, that he decides to issue. Broadcasting loud squawks about "Fake News!" would be insufficient....surely?
15
It doesn't matter what his explanation is. There's enough support to override his veto.
7
Isn't there a third possibility, a pocket veto? The current session ends next Friday, withing the 10 day limit.
2
The Republicans created the Trump mess. But we cannot rely on them to clean it up. They should be working in an impeachment plan. These sanctions? Just cover. Trump may feign outrage at being disobeyed by his personal Congress - but it is all art of the plan to keep him on office while the GOP dismantles our country.
17
These people think they can stop this madman? He'll just invoke martial law, disband Congress, disband the Supreme Court, and declare himself President for life. This is what this wanna-be-dictator has in mind. He could care less about this country, the Constitution, and democracy. The US is his playground and that includes government. In his mind, HE is the government.
43
Trump's thoughts about what power he holds is not reality.
Republicans certainly can't have human right and foreign aggression against the US get in the way of oil company profits.
7
Info I wish the Times had included in this article.
1. Whether this act of defiance from the House is the first act of resistance to Trump or were there others? (Because I think this is a first of its kind.)
2. The Times named a few names, but how about a complete list of the minority of Representatives, Dem or Republican, who did not vote for sanctions.
And my comments.
This win is just a battle and maybe the first one Congress didn't default on.
And why the comments on unAmerican Trump? I now understand he's a kleptocrat. We've seen them before, most notably in the Bushes who made a Saudi prince an "honorable" member of their family. Trump is just the extreme extension of this corruption of government for personal wealth. We are finally choking because Trump, unlike our other oligarchs, doesn't have any redeeming graces of personal integrity or the finesse of professional politicians.
1. Whether this act of defiance from the House is the first act of resistance to Trump or were there others? (Because I think this is a first of its kind.)
2. The Times named a few names, but how about a complete list of the minority of Representatives, Dem or Republican, who did not vote for sanctions.
And my comments.
This win is just a battle and maybe the first one Congress didn't default on.
And why the comments on unAmerican Trump? I now understand he's a kleptocrat. We've seen them before, most notably in the Bushes who made a Saudi prince an "honorable" member of their family. Trump is just the extreme extension of this corruption of government for personal wealth. We are finally choking because Trump, unlike our other oligarchs, doesn't have any redeeming graces of personal integrity or the finesse of professional politicians.
21
Trump will veto the bill. Congress will do nothing and he knows it. Only two thirds of the public will care, not enough to make a difference. Trump will continue to collude and cheat in preparation for the upcoming theft of the 2018 midterms.
13
I believe a veto will result in a Congressional override. Only 2 Senators voted against it.
If he does veto the bill, his veto will be overridden. He can still posture and keep faith with Putin w/ little to lose, as the optics vis-a-vis Russia are already terrible and he has virtually no influence over the House and Senate left to lose.
8
Clearly a cover up of immense proportions is being perpetrated by trump himself and his henchmen. It's obvious that Putin won trump the election and expects pay back. It's also obvious that trump isn't forthcoming on what he knows and when he knew it. Trump's next move will be to dissolve the Obama imposed sanctions and disembowel the FBI itself, the same way the EPA is being gutted, removing all remnants of its investigation into his Russian connections. Expect funding cuts, resignations and dismissals. Doubtless this cleansing is already afoot with the deliberate sabotaging of all related records throughout the entire administration. Of course this shouldn't come as a surprise ... it's right out of senior advisor Bannon's so-called de-institutionalization playbook. And as for the 2118 elections, the GOP is undoubtedly using its newly bestowed wide powers to shove their voter suppression and gerrymandering scheming into high gear to keep it that way in the 2018 mid terms and beyond. Deliberately demagoguing the supreme court will also entrench this
skulduggery for generations.
skulduggery for generations.
27
Nice to see the bipartisan effort to embarrass Trump. Go America.
12
We are saving America, Boris. Watch and learn.
What can one say? Trump is totally unfit for the high office of President. Every day it becomes more obvious. It is time for the public to announce loudly "The Emperor Has No Clothes."
28
1. Born in USA.
2. Older than 35.
3. Elected by the majority of State Electors.
Check, check and check. He is fit to be president. Our founders didn't subscribe to some elitist notion of additional 'qualifications' for the Presidency. As far as they were concerned, an automobile mechanic, a house framer or a peanut farmer would be fair game for the presidency as long as they met the three qualifications listed above.
Give up this elitist notion that you have the authority to deem someone 'fit' or 'unfit' for office. The majority of electors voted and you'll get your next chance in four years.
2. Older than 35.
3. Elected by the majority of State Electors.
Check, check and check. He is fit to be president. Our founders didn't subscribe to some elitist notion of additional 'qualifications' for the Presidency. As far as they were concerned, an automobile mechanic, a house framer or a peanut farmer would be fair game for the presidency as long as they met the three qualifications listed above.
Give up this elitist notion that you have the authority to deem someone 'fit' or 'unfit' for office. The majority of electors voted and you'll get your next chance in four years.
3
Those qualifications were a very low bar before, but it's obvious we must now add that candidates must past a psychiatric exam and divulge their tax returns before declaring them eligible. Prior Presidents demonstrated a lot more honesty and morality.
3
Then there there is the 25th Amendment which added mentally and physically capable to the original 3. He does meet the first three; it is those in the 25th Amendment that are in question.
2
If Trump vetoes the sanctions bill, expect the intensity of the House and Senate investigations to intensify substantially. We'll soon see if he tries to protect his prerogatives or risks alienating Putin. Seems all that investment by the Kremlin in helping Donnie boy win, just isn't paying off!
Either way, it'll cap off a week of lose, lose for the "Master of Trump Tower".
Either way, it'll cap off a week of lose, lose for the "Master of Trump Tower".
7
Setting aside heightened cynicism and disappointment regarding anything coming from our elected representatives, this is good -- the thin edge of the wedge for the Trump administration.
5
Finally something bipartisan is coming together. Way to go.
4
Finally, they're showing some character: standing up to Russia and their American toadies in the White House.
10
What are the sanctions? Please list them. It's a gap in your reporting.
Are those sanctions the ones supporting US gas exports to Europe?
Are those sanctions the ones supporting US gas exports to Europe?
7
No ... gas exports to Europe are not affected; there are no gas exports to Russia, it is itself a gas exporter.
The sanctions for which Russia retaliated by imposing an adoption ban were specified in the Magnitsky Act, which has its own article on Wikipedia.
For the additional sanctions imposed after Russia's seizure of Crimea, see the article there titled "International sanctions during the Ukrainian crisis"
For the additional sanctions imposed after Russia's seizure of Crimea, see the article there titled "International sanctions during the Ukrainian crisis"
Now, let's see if those elected to serve the Country will do just that or bow to pressure from Trump.
172
I'm relieved to see Congress wake up from its stupor and take action to protect our democratic republic. Thus far "America First" has meant "right behind Putin and the Trump Family."
8
Nice to see our Congress acting like Americans for a change, whether Donald Trumpsy likes it or not.
11
So finally he's acquired enough rope. I'm almost giddy with anticipation of hearing about tomorrow's tweets.
15
Does this mean that, if the House does pass this bill, Putin and his oligarchs will demand that the Trump team pay off their loans and return any incentives that have already been received?
15
This is the first ray of hope that Republicans in Congress are willing to defy Donald Trump, and that they might--just might--be willing to impeach him if Robert Mueller uncovers sufficient evidence of collusion and/or improper financial entanglements between Trump and Russia. Let's hope they find a collective spine as the president pursues his pro-Trump and anti-American agenda.
12
Sufficient evidence has already been revealed. It's mountainous!
5
So Mr. Trump will not veto the sanctions bill, he will just not enforce it.
Nice.
Justice and the American People served.
Right.
Michael Bain
Glorieta, New Mexico
Nice.
Justice and the American People served.
Right.
Michael Bain
Glorieta, New Mexico
5
What is not being highlighted in reporting this bill, is that it is connected with Trump's two lengthy meetings with Putin, the contents of which have not been made public, and evidently even the members of Congress do not know what the quid was nor the quo. We do know that “adoptions” were discussed, which in this context were connected to the sanctions. So, this bill ordering sanctions on Russia also serves notice that if the President agreed to lift some sanctions in those private talks (in return for who knows what), the Congress is going to get in the way. Thank God we have a Congress that is, at least in this case, looking out for the interest of the nation and not the personal interest of the President.
8
This might be a veto proof situation given the broad support. There's even more reason to make it veto proof. The legislative branch has done nothing to show the American people it can work as a whole. Given these are ALL career politicians they know they risk their seats, therefore their jobs, by not doing something.
2
The fact our so-called president would lobby against sanctions on Russia is highly disturbing. Given all the allegations of collusion with Russia brought against the Trump administration, a president innocent of these accusations would be eager to support the sanctions. But Trump continues to defend Russia, accepting Putin's denial of meddling in the elections instead of the evidence presented by our national security agencies. There is something very wrong here.
11
It sounds like this bill has a wide enough margin of support to make veto impossible. How could Trump veto this bill?
2
Congress can override the veto if there are enough votes
1
Under the US system, the President, as executive, has the authority to veto any Congressional bill. That would leave the final decision to the third party, the US Supreme Court to cast the deciding verdict. On what grounds, I'm not sure, I suppose if its "constitutional" ,but I'll defer to more experienced authorities...
No, after the veto it goes back to Congress; they can override with a 2/3 majority in each house. Any bill that *already* has that level of support is thought likely to be veto-proof, because there's no reason it wouldn't get the same vote the second time.
The comments are amazing. We all knew with certainty that the Soviet Union was evil and our enemy, got it.
3
If we're gonna be such big friends with Russia then why do we need to increase the defense budget?
That wouldn't have anything to do with Wall Street and war profiteering would it?
That wouldn't have anything to do with Wall Street and war profiteering would it?
56
It would not surprise me to find out that, as to Russia, the US was engaging in similar shenanigans.
What,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, are the CIA and NSA sitting on their hands?
What,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, are the CIA and NSA sitting on their hands?
1
Just curious - which election would the US be interfering with? The one in 2012 when Putin got 4X as many votes as the closest competitor?
If the US actively tried to hack Russian voting machines, or had a huge disinformation campaign, the Russia would be justified in sanctioning us. But nobody claimed that happened.
If the US actively tried to hack Russian voting machines, or had a huge disinformation campaign, the Russia would be justified in sanctioning us. But nobody claimed that happened.
3
Oh, do tell. Has the United States been involved in acquiring Canada? Mexico? Has the US made moves against the French provinces off Canada? Attempted to annexe Latin America? What 'similar shenanigans' that would mimic Russian actions against Ukraine, Poland, Crimea, Syria, and the Stan-ates do you have in mind? Or is this merely another idiotic false equivalence which makes you feel so much better by making you think you're being so smart that everyone will admire you? Please - do tell us all.
4
Unnecessary. Putin doesn't tolerate anything less than 70% votes in his favor.
1
Sanctions come and go with the Russians. The question is whether it's time for them to come or go. The purpose of sanctions is to deter further wrongdoing. With regard to election tampering, economic sanctions, are less appropriate than response in kind. Russian dirty tricks warrant dirty tricks of our own.
As for the situation in Ukraine, the Russians maintain an aggressive footing. But the return of Crimea is too much to expect. What matters, instead, is how to deter continuing aggression in Eastern Ukraine and seizure of lands elsewhere. Considering the level of hostility when the sanctions were imposed, there has been great improvement since. If Obama were still in office and were to propose ending sanctions, I think most would approve. After all.the real fear a few years ago was that Russia would march through multiple former republics. That hasn't happened, so enough progress has been made to warrant lifting sanctions. But you can't trust Trump on this one, and so Congress is rightfully refraining.
As for the situation in Ukraine, the Russians maintain an aggressive footing. But the return of Crimea is too much to expect. What matters, instead, is how to deter continuing aggression in Eastern Ukraine and seizure of lands elsewhere. Considering the level of hostility when the sanctions were imposed, there has been great improvement since. If Obama were still in office and were to propose ending sanctions, I think most would approve. After all.the real fear a few years ago was that Russia would march through multiple former republics. That hasn't happened, so enough progress has been made to warrant lifting sanctions. But you can't trust Trump on this one, and so Congress is rightfully refraining.
5
Trump with his undercutting NATO was practically inviting Putin to invade the Baltics. It was only a matter of time, so this is an important message from Congress to both Trump and Putin.
8
It should be clear to any but the most obtuse- that Trump's Russia tilt is less based on strategic re-evaluation and more on payola- graft, extortion, bribery, corruption. Now why Republican leaders can't accept this and face the implications is is beyond me. Loyalty to one's base is "trumped," so to speak, by loyalty to one's country- or it should be.
34
Growing up my father used to say never trust the Soviets, now, the Russians.
Russians here, is the political system and not the Russian people.
Russians here, is the political system and not the Russian people.
7
there is not really a Russian political system - there is just a Putin system.
4
Here's my fantasy. A single dedicated American stands across the street from the White House, in Lafayette Park, holding a large sign bearing a single word: TRAITOR. And stands, and stands. Day after day. Rain or shine. Saying nothing. Letting the sign speak for itself. Until, slowly joined by others bearing the same sign with its single word pointed always at the White House. And then is joined by others in parks and public squares across the nation until .... Until the traitor is gone.
79
Sign me up
8
I'll go if you'll go! I have my Marx-A-Lot in hand!
3
Me too.
Support this! Its the first GOP spine to Trump in one
of many that will be needed!
of many that will be needed!
9
Vetoing the bill would be in character for trump. Don't be surprised. If he thinks Congress is defying him he will. I'm so sick of winning.
12
There is a problem: So far it is veto proof!
3
Not this version of the sanctions bill.
Reticent and reluctant are not synonyms! Otherwise, great story.
3
If Mr. Trump vetoes this bill, I hope the Republicans will join the Democrats to override Trump's veto.
That will demonstrate to Mr. Putin that unlike Russia, the American President cannot act unilaterally like a dictator.
That will demonstrate to Mr. Putin that unlike Russia, the American President cannot act unilaterally like a dictator.
19
US President Putin, um I mean Trump, does not want to hurt his best buddies in the russian banks..........
13
Vlad will never allow him to sign it.
11
If it passes with a veto-proof margin, what is Vlad's next move on the chessboard? All the evidence indicates that Putin's already got Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan blackmailed and bribed. Does he rub out recalcitrant members of Congress? Does he threaten their families? Does he shut down the Eastern grid of the U.S.? I think he will be very patient and come up with something as diabolical as getting Trump elected.
4
Good.
Thanks to all who are doing their jobs. Keep it up.
Thanks to all who are doing their jobs. Keep it up.
7
Every time we used sanctions on Russia it ends up being the big EU countries
that pay for it. And also the Russian's have promised big list of Russian
freinds in congress both dems and rep that have visited and shared US tech with
the russian government. So sanction away.
that pay for it. And also the Russian's have promised big list of Russian
freinds in congress both dems and rep that have visited and shared US tech with
the russian government. So sanction away.
1
Now that's a bill that would "Make America Great Again."
If 45 veto, then that is a sign that he, 45, wants to make Russia Great Again.
What a pickle for 45.
If 45 veto, then that is a sign that he, 45, wants to make Russia Great Again.
What a pickle for 45.
16
This business of postulating what the outcome will be of a confrontation between Congress and Trump is focused on the political issues and the probable sins of Mr. Trump, and how the American people will react to a possible show of partisanship by Trump toward Putin.
The Americans who voted for Trump voted against the established power structures of our government. They wanted someone who would stop the system, handcuff the bureaucracy, and manipulate Congress into powerlessness. They seem convinced that the prime enemy of their American principles is the government we have. 40 or 50 years of Republican campaigning that the government is the problem, not the way we cure problems, has reached its logical conclusion.
So, if Mr. Trump vetoes the bill setting up new sanctions, they will applaud. There's little concern that our position in the world is made more or less dangerous. American strength is a given, a result of a powerful military and a sense of security after centuries without a substantial invasion. There's no fear of Putin or ISIS or China, because there's a sense that we'll be fine if America just pulls up the bridges over the moat, tosses out anyone who isn't like everyone else, and shows the world an upraised middle finger.
The Americans who voted for Trump voted against the established power structures of our government. They wanted someone who would stop the system, handcuff the bureaucracy, and manipulate Congress into powerlessness. They seem convinced that the prime enemy of their American principles is the government we have. 40 or 50 years of Republican campaigning that the government is the problem, not the way we cure problems, has reached its logical conclusion.
So, if Mr. Trump vetoes the bill setting up new sanctions, they will applaud. There's little concern that our position in the world is made more or less dangerous. American strength is a given, a result of a powerful military and a sense of security after centuries without a substantial invasion. There's no fear of Putin or ISIS or China, because there's a sense that we'll be fine if America just pulls up the bridges over the moat, tosses out anyone who isn't like everyone else, and shows the world an upraised middle finger.
6
Regarding your second paragraph - I don't give credit for that much intelligence or savvy to the typical trump supporter. They are so against the "establishment" (in their minds), that they would vote for an orangutan if it would promise to shake-up that establishment. Oh wait - they did.....
I continue to shake my head in wonder at our ability to scold -- and even punish -- other countries for "human rights abuses." As we jail more people than most other countries combined, often for victimless drug crimes, and as we continue to murder foreign civilians in our pursuit of failed invasions in the Middle East.
11
Jim, while I agree that this country and our government are not saints and have committed many atrocities since the end of WW2 (in the name of promoting democracy and capitalism), look at the same period of time in the Soviet Union and now Russia. Ask Russians how bad it is in their own country. Just yesterday, Putin said he may not give up the presidency. He is estimated to have been directly involved in the deaths of thousands of Russian citizens. Freedom of the press is nonexistent - you cannot publicly criticize Putin or his government/officials. The actions taking place in Crimea alone should be prosecuted as war crimes.
5
Not sure what any of that has to do with violations of human rights. At least, not compared to killing people.
Pocket Veto. Lacking the guts to either sign the bill or veto it, to bill will become law in 10 days.
8
astute forecast.
The Guardian is reporting that Putin is telling interviewers that he may not leave the Russian presidency. Is that something Trump is seeking to emulate?
12
Yes and he wants a total dictatorship and controls of media which is why he likes Putin and all the bottom feeder tyrants
6
Do it; it's about time.
4
It's reassuring to see Congress nearly united on this important issue, thereby proving that Democrats and Republicans can work together. It's disturbing that Donald Trump appears to trust Mr. KGB Man Putin more than he trusted our own United States president. Personally, I don't want Vladimir Putin to annex the United States and become dictator of this country.
7
The article is very thin on what the sanctions actually entail. What will they do to Russia, Iran and North Korea? WIll they just punish individuals of those countries who don't do as the US say or will they also punish American businesses doing roaring business there?
As much as some countries may need to be reminded of their international obligations, and forcefully so, I think that the world is increasingly sick and tired of the US bullying everyone else.
Given the belief defying behaviour of President Trump in his own country, to name but one example, or the ways police across US cities just kill citizens whenever they feel like, as in Minneapolis the other day, isn't it perfectly understandable if many countries don't really aspire any longer to American values?
As with any bullying, these sanctions, whatever they may be, seem to be poorly disguised pretences. If the US decides to punish Russia for meddling in their affairs, very much the US meddle in most other countries
As much as some countries may need to be reminded of their international obligations, and forcefully so, I think that the world is increasingly sick and tired of the US bullying everyone else.
Given the belief defying behaviour of President Trump in his own country, to name but one example, or the ways police across US cities just kill citizens whenever they feel like, as in Minneapolis the other day, isn't it perfectly understandable if many countries don't really aspire any longer to American values?
As with any bullying, these sanctions, whatever they may be, seem to be poorly disguised pretences. If the US decides to punish Russia for meddling in their affairs, very much the US meddle in most other countries
5
Trump is a predatory brand and profiting from every angle. But I want to know if Americans see the humbug in the complaint of Russian 'meddling'. It's hard to think of a country in the world whose domestic politics American agencies have not attempted to influence by extra-legal and sometimes lethal means.
1
This gives me hope.
5
A veto on this should trigger the 25th Amendment. Unfit to be the President of the United States of America.
10
Don't tell me Congress is finally attempting to restrain the toddler to the play pen. God knows, it is high time before he gives Putin the key to the kingdom, i.e., the nuclear code. not sure if that's possible, but if it is, it is certainly probable.
4
Finally perhaps republicans in congress will face the facts about Russia and Trump's very dangerous dance with Putin - and put this country first.
5
Time to see whose side he's on. I'm guessing not the USA.
6
Hopefully Trump the bully will resign if Congress stands up to him.
11
The legislative branch works together to do what is right for the country....sanctions based on Russia's interference with our national elections. Now I would ask that they do the same with this failing and potentially dangerous president. A man who denigrates ranking members of Congress, leaders of his DoJ and Heads of State. Ironically, the exception is Putin, the man responsible for these sanctions. As recent as the G20, our president, as he shook his hand actually told Putin, "It is an honor to be with you." In his own words....SAD.
12
The Spice must FLOW.
3
It is a sad situation, but we now have a fool of the presidency. The only solution is for the Congress to act as the executive until we can elect someone else or impeach this guy and throw him out of office. To say it is a constitutional crisis is putting it mildly.
7
How long must we endure this dreadful man in office? How long will it be before Trump is either impeached or forced to resign? We should all look forward to the day when the nation can tell Trump "You're fired!"
8
With Trump in the pocket of VPutin and beholden to his Russian master for giving him this election Congress had no choice but to put Trump in a straight jacket. urr.
Republicans though disagreeing with president Obama still honored his prerogative as the leader of our foreign policy, but now even Trump supporters see that man's incompetence and dangerous tendencies. Republicans still can not come out directly and declare this incompetence but this action by a for once bipartisan Congress is as close to that acknowledgement as we are likely to get.
Republicans have one goal for governing and it is gridlock something they have done well, but fear of the Russian menace is so ingrained in our politics that Trump plays with fire when he plays footsies with our long term enemy whose one goal has been to destroy our democratic process such as it is. But Trump in his embrace of the likes of Bannon and Richard Spencer show that he is no friend of democracy despite his constant lip service babble.
Republicans though disagreeing with president Obama still honored his prerogative as the leader of our foreign policy, but now even Trump supporters see that man's incompetence and dangerous tendencies. Republicans still can not come out directly and declare this incompetence but this action by a for once bipartisan Congress is as close to that acknowledgement as we are likely to get.
Republicans have one goal for governing and it is gridlock something they have done well, but fear of the Russian menace is so ingrained in our politics that Trump plays with fire when he plays footsies with our long term enemy whose one goal has been to destroy our democratic process such as it is. But Trump in his embrace of the likes of Bannon and Richard Spencer show that he is no friend of democracy despite his constant lip service babble.
10
Continuation...
...meddle in other countries's affairs, then just openly say so. I don't think that anybody in the US Congress gives a hoot about the true wishes and aspirations of the Crimeans who voted almost anonymously for Crimea to be united with Russia.
As far as Assad of Syria is concerned, the US legislators should first come up with a coherent plan how to replace Assad, before sanctioning anybody for doing business with his government.
As any habitual bully knows, little jabs are okay. But if the jabbing goes too far, the bullied will gang up on you.
...meddle in other countries's affairs, then just openly say so. I don't think that anybody in the US Congress gives a hoot about the true wishes and aspirations of the Crimeans who voted almost anonymously for Crimea to be united with Russia.
As far as Assad of Syria is concerned, the US legislators should first come up with a coherent plan how to replace Assad, before sanctioning anybody for doing business with his government.
As any habitual bully knows, little jabs are okay. But if the jabbing goes too far, the bullied will gang up on you.
2
Fortunately we don't just invade a sovereign country and then 'convince' them they'll be happy with the invasion. Do you think the Russians could have convinced them (bullied them) to vote for Russia?
2
Barbara, in the case of Crimea I would say that the People living there made their choice and since that area has always been under Russian control especially during the Soviet era, the populace was mostly of Russian descent. Crimea has long been the home to Russian Naval bases, and the populace was long adjusted to that.
Crimea and Eastern Ukraine have long followed Russia as much of their populace IS Russian, and that is a fact on the ground that will not change anytime soon.
While the Russians had some say about Ukrainian politics, the US State Dept and Soros tried to stage a full on revolution in the Ukraine by using mercenary forces from the old Blackwater team under cover and acting as a false flag initiator. Many things blamed on 'Russians' were actually Blackwater forces in Russian uniform to make it LOOK like Russians doing the dirty work.
THAT is why Soros is persona non grata in Russia and a large part of why they did not want Clinton in the Office.
(and NO, I am not Russian or a sympathizer, I just pay attention to ALL the news, and have a long memory, I ding all sides when needed)
Crimea and Eastern Ukraine have long followed Russia as much of their populace IS Russian, and that is a fact on the ground that will not change anytime soon.
While the Russians had some say about Ukrainian politics, the US State Dept and Soros tried to stage a full on revolution in the Ukraine by using mercenary forces from the old Blackwater team under cover and acting as a false flag initiator. Many things blamed on 'Russians' were actually Blackwater forces in Russian uniform to make it LOOK like Russians doing the dirty work.
THAT is why Soros is persona non grata in Russia and a large part of why they did not want Clinton in the Office.
(and NO, I am not Russian or a sympathizer, I just pay attention to ALL the news, and have a long memory, I ding all sides when needed)
Putin will give up on Trump and "turn him in." They can and should unload Trump and figure they made a big mistake backing him. It's already apparent that the "collusion" conversations occurred, and all it will take to finish the subject will be for the Russians to corroborate it. Then, good bye, Monsieur Trump, nous sommes désolés. But we won't miss you.
6
Adviser: Mr. President, bad news is headed your way. It's bicameral.
DJT: Huh. That's the kind with two humps, right?
DJT: Huh. That's the kind with two humps, right?
16
To you Liberals that are salvatating at Trumps demise, be carefull what you wish for. A Pence or even a Ryan Administration would place every social advance of the last 150 years on the immediate champing block. But then again, it could be done with bi-partisian support. Isn't that special?
5
Have you not noticed what Trump is doing with the EPA and clean water and air regulations?
5
True enough, but I think I'd rather be thrown under the bus by Ryan or Pence than have to worry about Vlad.
3
The President tweeted today: "While all agree the U.S. President has the complete power to pardon, why think of that when only crime so far is LEAKS against us,” he wrote on Twitter. “FAKE NEWS.”
Nice wriggle words. "...only crime SO FAR is..."
Interesting. Good luck, Scaramucci!
Nice wriggle words. "...only crime SO FAR is..."
Interesting. Good luck, Scaramucci!
8
Trump should veto the Bill, on the grounds that foreign diplomacy and all its actions and conditions is an Executive Branch function, and cannot be delegated to the Legislative Branch; and this Bill attempts to violate the Constitutional separation of powers.
1
Just. Plain. Wrong.
3
Has it really been only 6 months?
Feels like a lifetime.
Feels like a lifetime.
9
3.5 years in a dog's life!
4
Trump has no reason to excuse Russia nor to undo nor advocate undoing the sanctions, unless he's got some personal stake that is more important to himself than his duties to our country. The Congress is going to force him to come clean and then Trump's political power will vanish.
5
Trump makes deals with people who expect to gain from those agreements, if they get what they want the deal is done, over, history, and if they do not Trump and they try to minimize their losses, which can drag it all out. Trump never thinks nor does anything in consideration of lasting effects. The Republicans in Congress are beginning to grasp that Trump cannot be a President who can lead, and so they will assume responsibility for more and more policy development. Trump will continue to talk and preside over ceremonies, but all he will be is a bill signer.
Meanwhile, Trump knows that his campaign collaborated with the Russians, but likely because he thought it was just an expedient that would at least contribute to widespread mistrust of Clinton. Then he began to see that it could be trouble for him and so tried to conceal it. Whether it can get him impeached is not yet obvious but if he starts issuing pardons, he probably will be.
Meanwhile, Trump knows that his campaign collaborated with the Russians, but likely because he thought it was just an expedient that would at least contribute to widespread mistrust of Clinton. Then he began to see that it could be trouble for him and so tried to conceal it. Whether it can get him impeached is not yet obvious but if he starts issuing pardons, he probably will be.
23
I begin to wonder if Trump never wanted to run for President but was talked (flattered or blackmailed) into it by Putin. It seems more like he acquiesed to Russian pressure than accepted Russian help.
1
While sanctions MAY be appropriate I tend to see them as kneejerk reflex actions taken because the US Warmongers Inc is irritated over their latest war being curtailed. Cutting off of aid to the "Syrian Rebels" (otherwise known as McCain's Mercenaries) has put a crimp in the big international moneymaking scheme of Arms Sales and the subsequent Wars to try out the new equipment.
On top of that, the Congress going after three nations in this bill is a bit overboard. They should have stuck strictly to one nation per bill to give Trump some flexibility, and indeed, if he vetoes it may well be on those grounds.
But to lump them all under a single 'Axis of Evil' bill, as if this were still the Reagan Admin, just seems very much outdated and needs to be scrutinized as to "Who Is Profiting From This Bill". Follow the money, who gets the benefit from this? Parts of it were done under the advice of the Oil Companies, how fair is That going to be? And, besides, Trump had to sign off on the Iran Nuclear Agreement, so sanctions there look very suspiciously as if we are going to sanction the heck out of them no matter WHAT they do or do not do.
It looks like our Congress is trying to start at least one major conflict leading to war. By putting strains on foreign governments over things that our own State Department tried to do but got caught and it turned on them. They tried to flip the Ukraine to the West, and got caught in the doing.
So, WHY the Sanctions? Petty Rage? Jealousy? Lame!
On top of that, the Congress going after three nations in this bill is a bit overboard. They should have stuck strictly to one nation per bill to give Trump some flexibility, and indeed, if he vetoes it may well be on those grounds.
But to lump them all under a single 'Axis of Evil' bill, as if this were still the Reagan Admin, just seems very much outdated and needs to be scrutinized as to "Who Is Profiting From This Bill". Follow the money, who gets the benefit from this? Parts of it were done under the advice of the Oil Companies, how fair is That going to be? And, besides, Trump had to sign off on the Iran Nuclear Agreement, so sanctions there look very suspiciously as if we are going to sanction the heck out of them no matter WHAT they do or do not do.
It looks like our Congress is trying to start at least one major conflict leading to war. By putting strains on foreign governments over things that our own State Department tried to do but got caught and it turned on them. They tried to flip the Ukraine to the West, and got caught in the doing.
So, WHY the Sanctions? Petty Rage? Jealousy? Lame!
6
Because in our time we avoid going to war to compel leaders like Putin to stop being murderous thugs when they have no ways to succeed peacefully.
5
War benefits presidents but causes congressmen to lose elections.
1
Flexibility is exactly what Congress cannot give Trump on this issue.
2
“Russia, Russia, Russia!”
Sadly, the US is not leading the world toward peace nor justice and arguably has not for quite some time.
It is positioned on the critical path of many international efforts to resolve the world’s growing, perhaps human extinction level, problems. Unfortunately, the US routinely uses that position not to promote but to undermine efforts at a solution, i.e. at the United Nations, in the area of nuclear proliferation, climate efforts, etc. as well as pursuing policies that continue to drive a massive refugee tragedy.
This tendency seems to be only increasing, becoming only more blatantly contradictory to American ideals and rule of law while becoming more destructive. Moreover, the US has carried on in this manner even under Mr. Obama and his early majority of the Democrats. Just where is reform to come from? The GOP..? The current mainstream Democratic Party..?
Sadly, the US is not leading the world toward peace nor justice and arguably has not for quite some time.
It is positioned on the critical path of many international efforts to resolve the world’s growing, perhaps human extinction level, problems. Unfortunately, the US routinely uses that position not to promote but to undermine efforts at a solution, i.e. at the United Nations, in the area of nuclear proliferation, climate efforts, etc. as well as pursuing policies that continue to drive a massive refugee tragedy.
This tendency seems to be only increasing, becoming only more blatantly contradictory to American ideals and rule of law while becoming more destructive. Moreover, the US has carried on in this manner even under Mr. Obama and his early majority of the Democrats. Just where is reform to come from? The GOP..? The current mainstream Democratic Party..?
2
Ultimately, America has elected a President whose dubious business history and baggage is so overwhelming, one has to wonder how long can this possibly continue? Bill Clinton was certainly no saint and his inter-office escapades were quite abhorent, yet, the Republicans were tripping over each other to see him impeached as quickly as possible. Clinton had fidelity issues, Trump has had years of questionable business ethics issues that could ultimately affect the security and foreign policy interests of America, yet, in Trump's case, the Republicans inclination towards possible impeachment is nowhere to be heard.
Frankly, which of these two scenarios is more serious and what exactly are the grounds for impeachment anyway?
Frankly, which of these two scenarios is more serious and what exactly are the grounds for impeachment anyway?
30
It will be enlightening to watch McConnell and/or Ryan stand in the way of this compromise bill, whether overtly or surreptitiously. Republicans need to go back to being loyal to the United States and its citizens' well being rather than being loyal to themselves.
24
I agree.
4
I am noticing several comments complaining that Congress is usurping presidential authority by imposing sanctions on a foreign country and requiring the president to seek congressional review before lifting sanctions. Where was that concern in 2015, when Mr. Obama was in the White House? Certainly not with Donald Trump, who, as always, claimed he could make a better, tougher deal before "ask[ing] Congress" to codify it. Here is what candidate Trump had to say about the Iran Sanctions Act that was used as a model for the restrictions on presidential authority to roll back sanctions on Russia:
“When I am elected president, I will renegotiate with Iran — right after I enable the immediate release of our American prisoners and ask Congress to impose new sanctions that stop Iran from having the ability to sponsor terrorism around the world”
Oh, and Mr. Trump has made no progress freeing the Americans being held by Iran. He issued another statement yesterday, but it was mostly ignored while Mr. Trump tweeted and put far more attention on presidential power to free himself and his possibly criminal cohorts from being held for activities stemming from his Russian scandal. As he was reminded before the G20 summit, he is representing America and he needs to get his head in the game. This piece of bipartisan legislation does not prevent him from doing that.
“When I am elected president, I will renegotiate with Iran — right after I enable the immediate release of our American prisoners and ask Congress to impose new sanctions that stop Iran from having the ability to sponsor terrorism around the world”
Oh, and Mr. Trump has made no progress freeing the Americans being held by Iran. He issued another statement yesterday, but it was mostly ignored while Mr. Trump tweeted and put far more attention on presidential power to free himself and his possibly criminal cohorts from being held for activities stemming from his Russian scandal. As he was reminded before the G20 summit, he is representing America and he needs to get his head in the game. This piece of bipartisan legislation does not prevent him from doing that.
6
It's comforting to know this country is never going to let the Cold War go away. Fighting it constantly apparently gives us a superiority complex that we can't just live without. We'll see.
2
That superiority complex, as you aptly characterised it is just a cover to mask a deep-seated inferiority complex.
3
Meddling in our election is not laying the groundwork for trust. We have no reason to give a dictator a blank check.
3
I can let it go when we have a president who is not in debt to Russia.
9
Let see what is in these sanctions and who actually benefits before we start patting Congress on the back for actually accomplishing something.
I find it disconcertingly amusing that people would believe this action by Congress places Trump in a difficult position when it comes to vetoing sanctions against Russia. Remember this is the man who made this statement, "You think our country is so innocent?", in defense of Putin.
It is unfortunate that many people still do not understand how dangerous Trump is to our Republic.
I find it disconcertingly amusing that people would believe this action by Congress places Trump in a difficult position when it comes to vetoing sanctions against Russia. Remember this is the man who made this statement, "You think our country is so innocent?", in defense of Putin.
It is unfortunate that many people still do not understand how dangerous Trump is to our Republic.
10
That phrase "You think our country is so innocent?" sounds like something Putin would say.
2
Veto it Mister Trump, PLEASE veto the bill. We need you to do this to show clearly whose side you are on.
9
Maybe it's a trap. What I mean is this: Mr. Trump signs the bill, then uses it as proof that Russia is being punished for meddling. Case closed. No need for a special prosecutor -- Mueller is dismissed. Let's move on.
3
Nonsense. The inquiry is about The Trump Organization's role in the interference.
This should be fun....
4
"There are still hurdles to clear. Neither Speaker Paul D. Ryan nor Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, immediately issued statements on Saturday to give the agreements their blessing."
They are too busy choking on crow.
They are too busy choking on crow.
9
What exactly are the sanctions against Russia? Nothing about that in this long article!
4
Same ones Obama put in place a couple years ago.
2
Love how people only now think a president is crooked!! Name the first honest and sincere president. Anyone? I’m waiting as for Russia they did what we have been doing for many many years. Influencing a election for their interests. Doesn’t feel so good does it!!!
2
A guy who needs a crash course in American history other than reading a book by Howard Zinn.
2
When Trump refuses to sign then what... nothing.
1
Why is congress interfering with the actions of America's greatest President? He has the right to enrich himself and his family at America’s expense, because he says so. He doesn't have to release his tax returns and he can make private business deals with Putin; how else will he acquire loans that American banks won't forfeit to him and his. Therefore he must do as Putin directs and remove all sanctions and obstacles America has placed in Putin's path. If there is anything improper or illegal in his actions Trump will just pardon himself, as he stated, he can do what he wants as he wants. After all we elected him and therefore he is our greatest President and has responsibility in enriching himself and his family at America’s expense so that he can become even greater. Leave him alone. He’s accomplished so much since his election. The news media doesn’t have enough time in a 24 hour day to cover everything he does says or twitters and are tripping on the monies he is creating for them. Enjoy the road to Putin_Trump world. Soon you won’t even have to vote; and you’ll be scared that Russian hackers will know that you didn’t vote for Putin_Trump just as soon as Trump has your data turned over to Russian hackers. Enjoy, savor the new world order. Check Please!
17
The president asserted that he had the power to pardon relatives, aides and possibly even himself in response to investigations into Russia’s election meddling.
Side issue? Not — Here he is preparing a pardon for misdeeds he denies.
The Russia thing is real and Trump and company are going down. And now Republicans in both houses know it. I mean how stupid could they be?
Side issue? Not — Here he is preparing a pardon for misdeeds he denies.
The Russia thing is real and Trump and company are going down. And now Republicans in both houses know it. I mean how stupid could they be?
17
Useless. The real crime of election fraud, voter suppression, gerrymandering, and our legal bribery system called lobbying and limitless cash to buy legislators by the oligarchy. Whoops, did I say oligarchy? That only applies if they're Russians, we have billionaires who buy our government. What hypocrisy we have.
15
Nation is very important than any powerful individual - see in Bill Clinton impeachment time there was clarity president can be indicted if he misuses his powers, so president Mr Trump ought to be prudent , but why he is drunk with power, sad indeed.
1
These sanctions should have been passed months ago. Trump is acting like a Russian stooge and he is making us appear weak on the world stage.
If he vetos this bill he will undermine US credibility throughout the world. We are getting pushed around by a tin pot dictator and its going to destroy our credibility for a generation.
If he vetos this bill he will undermine US credibility throughout the world. We are getting pushed around by a tin pot dictator and its going to destroy our credibility for a generation.
11
Historians who studied the rise and fall of hegemonic powers stated that the transition between fall and rise has been accompanied by war. In fact, it was rare to see a hegemonic power rise up without war. Russia is not a hegemonic power as compared to the United States, but the growing pitch accusing them of a acts of war is pretty much a call to smash them as an emerging one. Putin mind readers have pretty much come to what is a accepted conclusion: terroritially, Putin wants to re-capture Soviet and Czarist lands.
It was noteworthy that during the presidential debates, that yes, Russia was thee most mentioned topic by Hillary, but she did not always mention them in the solo. She many times linked China and Russia as common enemies.
In other words, as the power of the United States fades, don’t give up on the idea of a hot war.
It was noteworthy that during the presidential debates, that yes, Russia was thee most mentioned topic by Hillary, but she did not always mention them in the solo. She many times linked China and Russia as common enemies.
In other words, as the power of the United States fades, don’t give up on the idea of a hot war.
2
How are you defining power?? Purely in the military sense or in the sense that we have a sturdy economy and a political system that still seems to work admirably (aside from the current "hiccup" with getting stuck -- temporarily, I hope, with Trump).
1
"One small step for.....". I'm fearful to say that this is the first true sign of both parties cooperating and working together. Keep it up!
4
So what! Republicans have made up any excuse they can to be "team players" and "love" this administration. Now we're gonna find out whether Wall Street jocks and Manhattan Real Estate royalty can claim they've been victimized to the whole deplorable crybaby base. I believe they can. It's not hard if your base aspires to be rich and famous and feels victimized by the reality that they are not victims too.
1
This is the first time the republican congress has stood up to the fake President/ What will he do for his Russian friends/?
7
My guess is that Trump will sign the bill, alongside an executive order that declines the enforcement or prosecution of Russia sanction violators.
4
@MC
Sad-Sick
please take away all of his ballpoint pens.
Sad-Sick
please take away all of his ballpoint pens.
1
He appears to use markers.
Good start. But there are going to have to be a lot of patriots in the mix to make sure Trump doesn't trump America.
8
This illustrates the final limits of support for this President. If and when it becomes as clear that he may have engaged Russia through collusion to harm U.S. interests as it was that Russia was taking actions against us, then you will see a quick and expansive loss of support and disavowal of any connections aiding President Trump. The intelligence community's conclusions about Russia should cause reasonable persons to question any president has given such an appearance of favoring Russia over the United States of America's agencies and institutions as is unable to cite reasons sufficient to do so. At this time it is his and his supporters' reasoning versus reasoning that the country is in jeopardy because of his direct actions with facts that support such a conclusion. With all I know of his history and what I see in his speech and behavior, I will err on the side of the United States of America now. He has always shown me that he is at least as willing to risk the interests of others as he is to risk his own. Regarding investors he is willing to risk much more even letting them pay for his mistakes to the maximum extent possible. I believe he has told others they should never have invested in a particular project He may have been right. Congress made the best "deal" considering what our country and their political careers may face now and in the future.
4
This bipartisan legislation should provide a measure of reassurance to our European and N.A.T.O. allies that countervailing forces in America do exist to challenge the threatening, disruptive policies of Trump. Although a small step in the greater geopolitical scheme, it is a most welcome one, at home and abroad. Perhaps this inter-party cooperative effort may even lead to some joint domestic accomplishments. Jaw, jaw not war, war.
7
Called my rep to demand Ryan put this to a vote. I wouldn't have known to call, however, if I didn't read multiple news sources, including the NYT. Thank you for keeping up informed so we can do our civic duty by holding some feet to the fire.
24
Republicans can allow bipartisan negotiations and agreement to punish Russia, but they can't allow a bipartisan approach to fix health insurance coverage for the American people. I guess the American people aren't being punished enough.
15
Trump's unpopularity is reaching that critical mass where congressional Republicans are beginning to realize he is a liability to their brand. Don't mistake the GOP's nascent "spine" for anything other than self-preservation. If Trump were more popular, most of them would be enthusiastically embracing his relentless assault on our democracy.
20
These sanctions against Russia will accomplish very little, and will only worsen our relations with them. It is more a political statement that Congress is pushing back on Trump's authoritative attitude. Trump was never a politician and his entrance to D.C. was never to learn and work with people, but to dictate. It hasn't been difficult to see his mantra is clearly 'it is my way or the highway." It has gotten him nowhere, and is only tearing our nation apart.
9
Putin is trying to destroy democratic governments worldwide. Does that not concern you?
"It is more a political statement that Congress is pushing back on Trump's authoritative attitude."
Nonsense. The intelligence community has proven the interference. It would be ludicrous for us not to respond.
Nonsense. The intelligence community has proven the interference. It would be ludicrous for us not to respond.
2
"EU sounds alarm, urges U.S. to coordinate on Russia sanctions",
published 2 hours ago by Reuters and other European news outlets.
Worth reading, if one is willing to get outside the bubble of self-righteousness.
Global politics are complicated
published 2 hours ago by Reuters and other European news outlets.
Worth reading, if one is willing to get outside the bubble of self-righteousness.
Global politics are complicated
5
Now that Pres Trump has declared himself the first Pope of the US and thus above any law of this nation or earth, let's see what happens from here.
3
Either Trump signs the bill imposing sanctions on Russia, reaffirming democracy, or he vetoes what essentially could be viewed as a confession because he refused to impose sanctions and tells us he is a dictator that favors Russia.
6
A glimmer of hope for Americans as our elected representatives demonstrate they can work together for the good of the nation - by legislating deterrents against an unscrupulous adversary.
Let this be the start of some positive bipartisan momentum.
Is Trump waiting with his pen?
Let this be the start of some positive bipartisan momentum.
Is Trump waiting with his pen?
5
This is a great day for the West and for Ukraine. Thank you America for standing by your principles against an appalling criminal consortium; Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump Incorporated.
9
If Pelosi's fears bear out, Ryan will have leverage over
Trump and the Dem's will be helpless.
How will Ryan use, or abuse, this power?
Trump and the Dem's will be helpless.
How will Ryan use, or abuse, this power?
2
Trump should veto the bill and require an override. To simply accept this limitation on his negotiation strategies would be a cowardly defeat, and set a poor precedent for his relations with a belligerent Congress. Insistence on an override would give him more leverage in the future, and Congress would be on record to take the blame if these limitations prove to be a disaster.
1
Looks like the GOP is onto Trump et. al on their lies about Russia. It's about time, Now when are the impeachment articles going to be drawn up?
3
If Trump vetos this legislation, hopefully it will be a significant inducement for the whole of congress coming together in agreement to declare him unfit for the office he holds. He is demonstrating daily that he is a dangerous menace to the very country he pretends to care about.
12
My faith in our congress is restored!
6
Not mine. Not yet. Not by a long shot.
4
Can you imagine when they turn this into a made for television movie? I forgot, they have - House of Cards Season Six.
3
Wow, the GOP actually does have a patriotic spine --- what a surprise.
2
Gullible much? LOL...
"One flower does not a garden make." - T. Payne
"One flower does not a garden make." - T. Payne
1
President ought to be prudential so we say his personal interests need to be subordinate to national interests, if he cannot he shall not become president is ethical that way people consider anywhere, that is called humane human
2