White House says open to legislation toughening Russia sanctions

[webfact]

White House says open to legislation toughening Russia sanctions

By Idrees Ali

 

FILE PHOTO: The dome of the U.S. Capitol is seen in Washington September 25, 2012. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Sunday it was open to legislation toughening sanctions on Russia as momentum increased in the U.S. Congress for stronger action against Moscow.

 

Two U.S. senators said they believe the legislation that allows for new sanctions against Russia would pass with enough votes to override a veto should U.S. President Donald Trump decide not to sign the bill.

 

Republicans and Democrats reached agreement allowing new sanctions targeting Russia, Iran and North Korea in a bill that would limit any potential effort by Trump to try to lift sanctions against Moscow.

 

"We support where the legislation is now and will continue working with the House and Senate to put those tough sanctions in place on Russia until the situation in Ukraine is fully resolved and it certainly isn't right now," White House press Secretary Sarah Sanders told ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" program.

 

Many lawmakers hope the bill will send a message to Trump to keep a strong line against Russia.

 

"I think (it) will pass probably overwhelmingly again in the Senate and with a veto-proof majority," Senator John Thune, a member of the Republican leadership, said on "Fox News Sunday."

 

Senator Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the bill has "broad support in the Senate and in the House."

 

"If (Trump) vetoes the bill, we will override the veto," Cardin said.

 

In recent weeks, Trump administration officials have met with lawmakers to argue against parts of the Senate version of the bill, including the requirement that Trump obtain Congress' permission before easing sanctions.

 

The Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act, which was passed by the Senate a month ago, was held up in the House of Representatives after Republicans proposed including North Korea sanctions in the bill.

 

In Brussels, the European Union has sounded an alarm about the U.S. moves to step up sanctions on Russia, urging Washington to coordinate with its Group of 7 partners.

 

The European Commission, the EU's executive body, warned that there could be "wide and indiscriminate" unintended consequences, notably on the EU's efforts to diversify energy sources away from Russia.

 

CONGRESS TO VOTE TUESDAY

 

Anthony Scaramucci, Trump's new communications director, said Trump has not yet decided whether he would sign the sanctions bill.

 

"My guess is ... that he's going to make that decision shortly," Scaramucci told CNN's "State of the Union."

 

The House is set to vote on Tuesday, according to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's office.

 

The legislation would require the president to submit to Congress a report on proposed actions that would "significantly alter" U.S. policy toward Russia, including easing sanctions or returning diplomatic properties in Maryland and New York that former President Barack Obama ordered vacated in December.

 

Congress would have at least 30 days to hold hearings and then vote to uphold or reject Trump's proposed changes.

 

Trump, who met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Group of 20 summit in Hamburg earlier this month, has faced resistance from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers for his pledge to pursue warmer relations with Moscow.

 

Separately, the top Democrat on the U.S. House Intelligence Committee said he would ask Trump's son-in-law and White House adviser Jared Kushner about his past contacts with Russians.

 

"His counsel has said they will make him available for two hours so we expect this is just going to be the first interview," Representative Adam Schiff said in an interview on CBS's "Face the Nation."

 

Kushner is scheduled to be interviewed by the Senate Intelligence Committee on Monday and by the House Intelligence Committee the following day.

 

He has acknowledged meeting the Russian ambassador to Washington last December and it emerged that executives of Russian state development bank Vnesheconombank (VEB) had talks with him during a bank roadshow last year.

 

(Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Andrea Ricci and Daniel Wallis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-07-24

[Emster23]

Pass all the sanctions you want. It is up to DOJ to enforce them, and they are part of executive branch. Considering Exxon violated sanctions under Sec of State Tillerson, I think US Executive branch will follow the "Thai model": lots of laws on the book, little to no enforcement unless against political enemies. And so it goes.

[iReason]

Congress Defies Trump by Agreeing to New Sanctions Against Russia

 

"Congressional leaders have reached an agreement on a set of sweeping sanctions against Russia as punishment for meddling in the U.S. election as well as its military aggression, which essentially would prevent President Donald Trump from unilaterally removing sanctions on Russia."

 

"The measure, which also allows new sanctions against Iran and North Korea, is scheduled for a vote in the House of Representatives on Tuesday."

 

"The agreement between Republican and Democratic leaders was reached despite the White House's persistent lobbying against the measure that it says interferes with Executive authority."

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/07/22/congress_defies_trump_by_agreeing_to_new_sanctions_against_russia.html

 

 

 

Trump Russia: US Congress reach deal on fresh sanctions

 

"The new legislation would also sharply limit President Donald Trump's ability to lift any sanctions against Russia."

 

"Senator Ben Cardin, the most senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said agreement was reached after "intense negotiations."

"A nearly united Congress is poised to send President Putin a clear message on behalf of the American people and our allies, 

and we need President Trump to help us deliver that message, he said"

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40696682

[spidermike007]

They did it. Maybe they did not do it. Maybe some other countries did it. There is no proof that they did it. I trust the Russians and my close brother Putin, alot more than I trust my own intelligence agencies. And you know how I feel about the media. Actually I like the media. At least I used to. I just do not like all of the criticism, therefore I have invented the narrative of the fake media. And you see how the people love it. So many of my followers have responded to that. They can't get enough of it! People really love me alot. I just do not know why the media hates me so much. But, they are fake anyway, so it does not matter. 

 

It is really beginning to appear that this is the most disorganized, chaotic, chaos driven, incompetent, unskilled, inexperienced, naive, soulless, vapid, pilotless White House staff, in the history of the US. Congratulation Trump. You are number 1 in chaos, and ineffectiveness. And it appears you have little in the way of policy, other than refilling the swamp with your own crocodiles, and handing over the remaining wealth in the US to the major corporations, and billionaires. Good work.

[craigt3365]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

They did it. Maybe they did not do it. Maybe some other countries did it. There is no proof that they did it. I trust the Russians and my close brother Putin, alot more than I trust my own intelligence agencies. And you know how I feel about the media. Actually I like the media. At least I used to. I just do not like all of the criticism, therefore I have invented the narrative of the fake media. And you see how the people love it. So many of my followers have responded to that. They can't get enough of it! People really love me alot. I just do not know why the media hates me so much. But, they are fake anyway, so it does not matter. 

 

It is really beginning to appear that this is the most disorganized, chaotic, chaos driven, incompetent, unskilled, inexperienced, naive, soulless, vapid, pilotless White House staff, in the history of the US. Congratulation Trump. You are number 1 in chaos, and ineffectiveness. And it appears you have little in the way of policy, other than refilling the swamp with your own crocodiles, and handing over the remaining wealth in the US to the major corporations, and billionaires. Good work.

There is 100% proof Russia hacked the US election system.  Sad you trust Putin more than the US intelligence agencies.  Really sad.

 

Please don't use the term fake media.  It's a disservice to society and a great way to reduce democracy.  Terrible.  Ignore the news, but don't call it fake.  It's just trolling and is actually against forum rules.

 

The rest is just a rant. 

[Becker]

7 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

There is 100% proof Russia hacked the US election system.  Sad you trust Putin more than the US intelligence agencies.  Really sad.

 

Please don't use the term fake media.  It's a disservice to society and a great way to reduce democracy.  Terrible.  Ignore the news, but don't call it fake.  It's just trolling and is actually against forum rules.

 

The rest is just a rant. 

I believe the first five lines were said from the man-child's p.o.v./tongue-in-cheek and the last four lines are Spidermike007's take on the situation.

[spidermike007]

22 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

There is 100% proof Russia hacked the US election system.  Sad you trust Putin more than the US intelligence agencies.  Really sad.

 

Please don't use the term fake media.  It's a disservice to society and a great way to reduce democracy.  Terrible.  Ignore the news, but don't call it fake.  It's just trolling and is actually against forum rules.

 

The rest is just a rant. 

 

Wow. You completely missed the message. It was satirical comedy. It was a joke. The last line revealed where I am coming from. The first lines are where I presume the White House mindset to be. Do I really have to explain this? I do not trust Putin one iota. He is a dictator, and a serial killer. I do not trust Trump one iota. He is a Barnum and Bailey type huckster. He would sell snake oil to his own grandmother, if he could make a buck on it. I feel bad for his devotees. Their Master is absolutely insane.

 

This is part of the problem. Part of the reason why the dems lost, and the right has so much power, at the moment. There is no humor. No ability to joke, jibe, poke fun, or be sarcastic anymore. Everyone is taking themselves SO seriously. Lighten up. It is all going to work out. This is not life or death. It is just a sad situation. It will improve. Somehow.

 

I will requote myself, so you can read it again. OK?

 

They did it. Maybe they did not do it. Maybe some other countries did it. There is no proof that they did it. I trust the Russians and my close brother Putin, alot more than I trust my own intelligence agencies. And you know how I feel about the media. Actually I like the media. At least I used to. I just do not like all of the criticism, therefore I have invented the narrative of the fake media. And you see how the people love it. So many of my followers have responded to that. They can't get enough of it! People really love me alot. I just do not know why the media hates me so much. But, they are fake anyway, so it does not matter. 

 

It is really beginning to appear that this is the most disorganized, chaotic, chaos driven, incompetent, unskilled, inexperienced, naive, soulless, vapid, pilotless White House staff, in the history of the US. Congratulation Trump. You are number 1 in chaos, and ineffectiveness. And it appears you have little in the way of policy, other than refilling the swamp with your own crocodiles, and handing over the remaining wealth in the US to the major corporations, and billionaires. Good work.

Edited July 25, 2017 by spidermike007

[craigt3365]

7 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

 

Wow. You completely missed the message. It was satirical comedy. It was a joke. The last line revealed where I am coming from. The first lines are where I presume the White House mindset to be. Do I really have to explain this? I do not trust Putin one iota. He is a dictator, and a serial killer. I do not trust Trump one iota. He is a Barnum and Bailey type huckster. He would sell snake oil to his own grandmother, if he could make a buck on it. I feel bad for his devotees. Their Master is absolutely insane.

 

This is part of the problem. Part of the reason why the dems lost, and the right has so much power, at the moment. There is no humor. No ability to joke, jibe, poke fun, or be sarcastic anymore. Everyone is taking themselves SO seriously. Lighten up. It is all going to work out. This is not life or death. It is just a sad situation. It will improve. Somehow.

 

I will requote myself, so you can read it again. OK?

 

They did it. Maybe they did not do it. Maybe some other countries did it. There is no proof that they did it. I trust the Russians and my close brother Putin, alot more than I trust my own intelligence agencies. And you know how I feel about the media. Actually I like the media. At least I used to. I just do not like all of the criticism, therefore I have invented the narrative of the fake media. And you see how the people love it. So many of my followers have responded to that. They can't get enough of it! People really love me alot. I just do not know why the media hates me so much. But, they are fake anyway, so it does not matter. 

 

It is really beginning to appear that this is the most disorganized, chaotic, chaos driven, incompetent, unskilled, inexperienced, naive, soulless, vapid, pilotless White House staff, in the history of the US. Congratulation Trump. You are number 1 in chaos, and ineffectiveness. And it appears you have little in the way of policy, other than refilling the swamp with your own crocodiles, and handing over the remaining wealth in the US to the major corporations, and billionaires. Good work.

If I missed the message, SORRY!!!!!!!!  In CAPS, Italics, underscored, BOLD letters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Sometimes trying to keep up with all this makes my head spin!  I feel like we're in a alternate world.  Who would have ever thought we'd be where we are now.  To say I'm stunned is putting it mildly.  And I'm 100% stunned Trump still have supporters.  I just don't get it.  These guys boggle my mind.

 

Again, SORRY!  And thanks for not coming back at strongly!  I made a mistake and freely admit it!!!!!

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, craigt3365 said:

If I missed the message, SORRY!!!!!!!!  In CAPS, Italics, underscored, BOLD letters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Sometimes trying to keep up with all this makes my head spin!  I feel like we're in a alternate world.  Who would have ever thought we'd be where we are now.  To say I'm stunned is putting it mildly.  And I'm 100% stunned Trump still have supporters.  I just don't get it.  These guys boggle my mind.

 

Again, SORRY!  And thanks for not coming back at strongly!  I made a mistake and freely admit it!!!!!

 

Got it. You made a minor error. At least you did not make the cardinal error of supporting this goon! Few of us can understand the position we find ourselves in. I did not like Tiny George II. But compared to this goon, I would take him any day. I think same goes for Nixon. Or Romney. Or even goons like Huckabee, Perry, or Rubio! LOL. What makes it such a sad situation, is that he literally stocked the White House, with people that have no White House experience. He then went and appointed a chief of staff, that does not have the skill to run the Illinois state chapter of the boy scouts. So, it has ended up being a three ring circus, with a huckster in the center. No wonder the media is in such a frenzy. First he declares war on the media, then he gives them all the ammunition they need, by shooting himself in the foot every day of the week. He cannot help it. He is a 13 year old, trapped inside a 71 year old body. Somebody please take his phone away from him, so he can wrestle back at least 5% of his dignity!

 

The best course of action for all of us, is to just sit back and watch the show. It is funny. And sad. And pathetic. But, he will continue to entertain, with his outrageous lack of grace, dignity, elegance, skill, diplomacy, vision, depth, honesty, integrity, experience, and intelligence. Let us all try not to take it too seriously. After all. How can you take a man like Trump seriously?

Edited July 25, 2017 by spidermike007

[Srikcir]

On 7/24/2017 at 8:48 AM, Emster23 said:

Pass all the sanctions you want. It is up to DOJ to enforce them, and they are part of executive branch. Considering Exxon violated sanctions under Sec of State Tillerson, I think US Executive branch will follow the "Thai model": lots of laws on the book, little to no enforcement unless against political enemies. And so it goes.

There are  some facts that are relevant to what happens to the $2 million in US fines levied against Exxon by its alleged breach of Russian sanctions in 2014.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-exxon-mobil-usa-ukraine-idUSKBN1A51UH

• Tillerson at the time was Exxon's CEO
• Alleged breach was not done under Secretary of State Tillerson tenure
• Tillerson said in January 2017 that he would recuse himself from matters involving Exxon for one year after his December 2016 resignation, unless he is authorized to participate
• the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed the fine under authority of its regulatory role
• OFAC does not need to sue Exxon to collect imposed fines that are done under government's administrative authority (same as Internal Revenue Service).
• Exxon filed suit (Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Treasury Secretary Steve Munchin, et al, U.S. District Court, North District of Texas, No. 3:17-cv-1930) on July 20, 2017 to prevent collection of fines.
• Exxon argues in its suit that The Treasury "is trying to retroactively enforce a new interpretation of an executive order" inconsistent with its prior guidance and that OFAC's action is fundamentally unfair."
• DOJ represents Munchin as the Defendent in the suit. Exxon is the Plaintiff.

It's highly unlikely that DOJ will simply concede the case against Treasury (and ultimately against POTUS Trump). The civil service rank and file DOJ attorneys cannot be directed to throw the case.  There is no "Thai model" to follow.