Senate revises Russia sanctions bill, sends it to House

[George II]

This final vote took place two weeks ago, but it's still stalled in the house, seemingly at the direction of trump:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-sanctions-house-idUSKBN19K2CQ

JUNE 29, 2017 / 12:15 PM / 13 DAYS AGO

Senate revises Russia sanctions bill, sends it to House

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate resolved a technical issue on Thursday that had stalled a new package of sanctions on Russia but the measure faces opposition in the House that could mean more delays, lawmakers said.

The Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act, which also includes the Russia sanctions, passed the Senate in a 98-2 vote on June 15.

Many lawmakers hoped the bill would become law in time to send a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin before President Donald Trump's meeting with him in Germany next week.

But the Senate bill stalled when House Republican leaders said it violated a constitutional requirement that legislation affecting revenues originate in the House, known as a "blue slip" violation.

(more...)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

trump was vehemently against this bill but it still passed by a vote of 98-2. The only two Senators who sided with trump were Rand Paul of Kentucky and Bernard Sanders of Vermont.

Details of the bill and votes:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/722/all-actions?overview=closed#tabs

(edited - moved article headline to subject line)

[blueinredohio]

1. Paul Ryan is stalling because he doesn't want Trump to get passed and tell all he knows on Ryan

[Jamaal510]

2. K&R

[Gothmog]

3. We need to pass this sanctions bill before trump releases russia from the sanctions

Trump is lobbying against this bill because he wants to give back to russia the two seized pieces of property.

Wny did sanders vote against this bill?

[R B Garr]

8. +1, why let Russia off the hook which is what Trump wants.

Sanders needs to explain.

[sheshe2]

4. Only two sided with tRump.

OMG.

[DesertRat]

5. Wait, Sanders voted against the Russian sanctions bill?

Does anyone know why?

[Elwood P Dowd]

7. He said he supported sanctions on Russia, but this particular bill would endanger

the nuclear agreement we had with Iran. Something along those lines.

[DesertRat]

11. Thanks. I can't find anything about it online

Do you have a link?

[SunSeeker]

13. WTF How could it endanger the Iran deal? It has nothing to do with Iran.

[Elwood P Dowd]

15. Yes it does

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/06/20/new-sanctions-on-russia-and-iran-hit-house-roadblock/?utm_term=.8799a67d9682

<snip>

A bipartisan bill extending financial sanctions on Russia and Iran and making it more difficult for President Trump to ease Russian sanctions has encountered a major procedural snag, threatening its quick passage into law and prompting Democrats to accuse House Republicans of protecting Trump.

The sanctions bill, known as the Countering Iran’s Destabilizing Activities Act, passed the Senate last week on a 98-to-2 vote. But this week, House staff flagged the bill for violating the constitutional provision that only the House can originate bills raising revenue for the government — creating what is known on Capitol Hill as a “blue slip” violation.

[SunSeeker]

18. No it doesn't.

Your snip does not say how it affects the Iran deal, if at all.

[George II]

17. I think he owes an explanation to the 44 Democrats and the other Independent...

...in the Senate as to why he voted against a bill for which trump was vehemently opposed.

It's not like it was 55-45, or 64-35, it was 98-2!

[Ninsianna]

6. Have either Rand Paul or Bernie Sanders explained his vote?

[NurseJackie]

9. I'm confused. Is this a mistake? Why would Bernie Sanders vote against the Russian Sanctions bill?

[Ezior]

10. So, they fixed/revised this bill 2 weeks ago and sent it to the house

House, as of now: *crickets*

What. The. Hell.

At least one of the Republicans attempted to hide behind concerns of German, Italian and British ambassadors. In fact, Merkel hates the sanctions bill because she wants 60% of gas used in Germany supplied by Russia instead of the current 40%, so a new pipeline project is required (Nord Stream 2), which would be blocked by the sanctions bill. Our main opposition party hates the bill for the same reason. Only the green party is against that pipeline project. I don't know if Merkel is in Putin's pocket like former chancellor Gerd Schröder. Or maybe Putin has dirt on Merkel because she's a former GDR citizen. Or maybe she thinks that sacrificing some foreign policy power in return for cheap gas is a great deal.

Please. House Democrats and Republicans who are not paid or blackmailed by Putin. Get this bill passed!

[George II]

12. The story is that trump implored Ryan to make sure it goes nowhere.

98-2 in the senate and they're trying to kill it.

[SunSeeker]

14. It is pretty fucking obvious Putin is in charge of the President--and the House GOP.

There is absolutely no reason to vote against this bill.

[NastyRiffraff]

16. Paul and Sanders need to explain their vote

I can understand (Ayn)Rand Paul, but Sanders is supposedly on our side. Isn't he?

[stonecutter357]

19. K&R