Why it Matters
President Trump waived a recently enacted bipartisan Russia sanctions law, drawing criticism from members of both parties. The New York Times reported that Trump set aside the bipartisan sanctions law amid his pursuit of deals with Moscow, while Bloomberg examined the legal questions surrounding proposed Russian diesel imports under existing U.S. sanctions.
Reuters reported that Kremlin hawks are savoring the rift between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, describing the diesel deal and temporary sanctions relief as part of a broader warming in U.S.-Russia ties. The waiver puts Congress on a collision course with the White House over a law that passed with overwhelming support from both chambers.
What They're Saying
Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) said "348 members of Congress, myself included, voted to impose new sanctions on Russia" and that Trump "just waived them." Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) said Trump "incinerated" the consensus of 86 senators who supported the sanctions, calling the waiver "another massive giveaway to Putin."
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) argued the waiver "won't" lower diesel prices and that Putin is the main beneficiary while "striking Ukraine's power grid." Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) cited Russia firing 39 ballistic missiles after the waiver and 600,000 people in Kyiv losing power.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) stated that "easing sanctions against Russia only emboldens Putin," and Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA) said "outrage over Trump's decision crosses party lines."
Not all opposition was unified. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) said he voted against the sanctions law because its "true purpose was to expand the tariff powers" of Trump, and Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) called it "foolish to give even more power to Donald Trump."
Trump defended the move on Oct. 19, saying the waiver was intended to keep Moscow at the negotiating table, describing Russia as "fine on Ukraine," and saying Zelenskyy was "not helping."
Bottom Line
Trump's waiver of a recently enacted bipartisan Russia sanctions law, which 348 members of Congress voted for and 86 senators supported, has drawn criticism from members of both parties, while Trump defended it as a way to keep Moscow at the negotiating table. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) says Putin is "striking Ukraine's power grid," Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) is urging the Senate to "immediately take up the House-passed" Ukraine bill.
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