Senators Face Resistance in Push for More Russia Sanctions

US companies fear more sanctions will damage business prospects

Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Chris Van Hollen (D_MD) are pushing a new bill, called the DETER Act, which aims to automatically sanction Russia for any interference in the mid-term elections. The legislation is seen primarily as an attempt to “slap” President Trump after his recent summit with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

Sanctions against the Russians are extremely popular among lawmakers right now, and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says it would be assured to pass if the Republican leadership allows it to come up for a vote.

Interestingly enough, there is some push back, and that might convince the leadership to slow this bill down. A number of American countries are expressing concerns that the new bill could damage their own interests.

A number of important energy companies are facing major financial losses around the Russia sanctions. Resistance to making this even worse, however, is facing pushes from Senate hawks, mostly Democrats, who are going to claim anything short of huge sanctions increases are proof the Republicans are insufficiently hostile to Russia.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.