In a historic show of unity, Congress passed the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act in late July. The vote in the Senate was 98-2, and 419-3 in the House. Trump signed the bill on August 2nd. Obviously Congress could have easily overridden a veto.
As you can see, the Act singles out the Russian Federation for the most extensive sanctions, including: on corrupt financial institutions; relating to activities that undermine cybersecurity of the US; relating to human rights abusers; and in response to corrupt practices with respect to Ukraine. The law also requires a variety of reports to be submitted to Congress.
Section 252 identifies the importance of these sanctions to our obligations under NATO:
Trump has done nothing to abide by the imposition of sanctions against Russia. Why?
Senators John McCain and Ben Cardin wrote Trump a letter on September 28, reminding him of the October 1st deadline, and outlining those most urgent sanctions. I urge you to read it. They also asked for a briefing by the Departments of State and Treasury to provide them with the sanctions plan.
On October 11, McCain and Cardin released a statement, in which they say (inter alia):
Yet, here on the 13th, there has apparently been no response whatsoever from the administration. Again why?
Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution requires that the President “shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed”. Refusing to do so--whether because he has personal obligations or financial incentives not to do so--is a dereliction of his duty under the Constitution, which is unequivocally an impeachable offense.
Comments? Arguments?
As you can see, the Act singles out the Russian Federation for the most extensive sanctions, including: on corrupt financial institutions; relating to activities that undermine cybersecurity of the US; relating to human rights abusers; and in response to corrupt practices with respect to Ukraine. The law also requires a variety of reports to be submitted to Congress.
Section 252 identifies the importance of these sanctions to our obligations under NATO:
(3) the Government of the Russian Federation has applied, and continues to apply, to the countries and peoples of Georgia and Ukraine, traditional uses of force, intelligence operations, and influence campaigns, which represent clear and present threats to the countries of Europe and Eurasia;
(4) in response, the countries of Europe and Eurasia should redouble efforts to build resilience within their institutions, political systems, and civil societies;
(5) the United States supports the institutions that the Government of the Russian Federation seeks to undermine, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union;
(6) a strong North Atlantic Treaty Organization is critical to maintaining peace and security in Europe and Eurasia;
(7) the United States should continue to work with the European Union as a partner against aggression by the Government of the Russian Federation, coordinating aid programs, development assistance, and other counter-Russian efforts;
(4) in response, the countries of Europe and Eurasia should redouble efforts to build resilience within their institutions, political systems, and civil societies;
(5) the United States supports the institutions that the Government of the Russian Federation seeks to undermine, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union;
(6) a strong North Atlantic Treaty Organization is critical to maintaining peace and security in Europe and Eurasia;
(7) the United States should continue to work with the European Union as a partner against aggression by the Government of the Russian Federation, coordinating aid programs, development assistance, and other counter-Russian efforts;
Trump has done nothing to abide by the imposition of sanctions against Russia. Why?
Senators John McCain and Ben Cardin wrote Trump a letter on September 28, reminding him of the October 1st deadline, and outlining those most urgent sanctions. I urge you to read it. They also asked for a briefing by the Departments of State and Treasury to provide them with the sanctions plan.
On October 11, McCain and Cardin released a statement, in which they say (inter alia):
“The delay calls into question the Trump administration’s commitment to the sanctions bill which was signed into law more than two months ago, following months of public debate and negotiations in Congress. They’ve had plenty of time to get their act together.
“In addition to the administration’s lack of responsiveness on this deadline, there does not appear to be a significant diplomatic effort to engage our allies in Europe and lead an effort to increase pressure on Moscow. Congressional intent was clear, reflected in the overwhelming bipartisan majority in favor of the legislation.
“In addition to the administration’s lack of responsiveness on this deadline, there does not appear to be a significant diplomatic effort to engage our allies in Europe and lead an effort to increase pressure on Moscow. Congressional intent was clear, reflected in the overwhelming bipartisan majority in favor of the legislation.
Yet, here on the 13th, there has apparently been no response whatsoever from the administration. Again why?
Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution requires that the President “shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed”. Refusing to do so--whether because he has personal obligations or financial incentives not to do so--is a dereliction of his duty under the Constitution, which is unequivocally an impeachable offense.
Comments? Arguments?
