Congress Heatedly Debates Legislation Imposing Economic Penalties Against Russia, Iran

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the White House in Washington, Wednesday, May 10, 2017.President Donald Trump on Wednesday welcomed Vladimir Putin's top diplomat to the White House for Trump’s highest level face-to-face contact with a Russian government official since he took office in January. (Russian Foreign Ministry Photo via AP)
US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the White House in Washington, Wednesday, May 10, 2017. President Donald Trump on Wednesday welcomed Vladimir Putin's top diplomat... US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the White House in Washington, Wednesday, May 10, 2017. President Donald Trump on Wednesday welcomed Vladimir Putin's top diplomat to the White House for Trump's highest level face-to-face contact with a Russian government official since he took office in January. (Russian Foreign Ministry Photo via AP) MORE LESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tempers are flaring in Congress over legislation that would impose economic penalties against Russia and Iran.

Republicans and Democrats are spreading blame for delays that threaten to prevent passage of the bill until after President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet next week in Germany.

The measure cleared the Senate two weeks ago with 98 votes — an overwhelming margin suggesting it would speed quickly through the House and to Trump.

But the bill has run into headwinds.

House GOP leaders say the legislation violates a constitutional requirement that legislation involving revenue must start in the House.

Lawmakers insist the problems are technical not substantive. Yet Democrats are accusing Republicans of stalling for time in a bid to weaken the penalties against Russia at the Trump administration’s behest.

8
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. Ryan knows passage of tough sanctions would trigger Putin to release info on Trump. For maximum chaos, it has to be released while Trump’s base still supports him.

  2. Well, look who are the pinko commie lovers now!

  3. That explains why the Senate repugs passed it without a fuss. They knew the House creeps wouldn’t.

  4. From the above, “legislation that would impose economic penalties against Russia and Iran . . . House GOP leaders say the legislation violates a constitutional requirement that legislation involving revenue must start in the House.”

    WTF. How do sanctions against foreign nations involve revenue? This is not a budget item that needs to go through the house 1st. Seriously, can someone explain the rule and logic to me, otherwise reporter should have been informed and called BS on that.

  5. WTF. How do sanctions against foreign nations involve revenue?

    Seriously! What federal funding is the House leadership referring to that comes from Russia and/or Iran??

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

2 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for turdburgler Avatar for katwillow Avatar for chlarry Avatar for uneducated Avatar for brian512 Avatar for jquas2sunset Avatar for socalista

Continue Discussion