Senate Democrats aren’t yet sold on adding Iran to pending Russia sanctions legislation despite largely supporting economic penalties against both adversaries’ oil sales.
It’s a notion that could be complicated by the fact that President Donald Trump first made the request following new U.S. troop casualties in the Iran war. But the lead Democratic sponsor of the bipartisan Russia sanctions package conceded that hitting Iran would be just as popular — if considered separately.
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“Strictly on the merits, this provision has been extended repeatedly by an overwhelming bipartisan majority,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who helped craft the Russia proposal with the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), said of Iran. “I don’t think it should be tremendously controversial … If considered separately, I would support it.”
Blumenthal added it was his “preference” to stick with the original bill targeting only Russia but said he was “in conversations with my Democratic colleagues” on the path forward. Senators have just two weeks before a monthlong August recess.
Republicans are pushing ahead anyways, confident that enough Democrats will back the dual sanction bill to clear a 60-vote filibuster and honor what was some of Graham’s final work. It’s now being shepherded through the Senate by his sister and predecessor, interim Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC), who’s coordinated with Blumenthal on including Iran.
“I’ve been having conversations with Democrats and with folks on our side, and I think we’re homing in on it,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said.
The Russia sanctions bill would impose new economic penalties on Moscow and its top leaders. That includes tariffs on the country’s energy sector and some of the largest purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas, in an effort to squeeze revenue funding Moscow’s war against Ukraine. The details remain unclear of what the Iran portion may include.
Several Democrats indicated a lack of awareness regarding the effort to tack on Iran, while others expressed broader skepticism without policy specifics.
“I can’t weigh in on that because I don’t have the slightest idea of what those” sanctions might be, said Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the top Democrat on the intelligence committee.
DEMOCRATS RESIST TRUMP’S PUSH TO ADD IRAN TO BIPARTISAN RUSSIA SANCTIONS BILL
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) is “likely to support” including Iran as an additional deterrent that won’t put U.S. troops in harm’s way and, based on his conversations with colleagues, signaled the package will still pass.
“I don’t think that that’s going to be a deal breaker,” he said.
