FEDERAL DAILY ACTION — Friday, July 21, 2017 THE CALL — Russia Sanctions

 

woman makes a phone call despite her fears

Find your representative: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/…/Repr…/myrepresentative.aspx
Representative Rutherford: (202) 225-2501 or (904) 831-5205
Representative DeSantis: (202) 225-2706 or (386) 302-0471
Representative Yoho: (202) 225-5744 or (904) 276-9626

The Senate approved a measure in June by a 98-2 vote that would further sanction Russia for their interference in our election and constrain Trump from unilaterally lifting any Russia sanctions. The legislation is currently being considered by the House and the administration is lobbying Republicans to water it down. The House has been stalling on the bill, claiming various procedural issues, but Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, dismissed those claims saying “there is no issue, except do they want to pass a bill.”

The latest bombshell on the Donald Trump Jr. emails setting up a meeting with a Russian government lawyer to get dirt on Clinton is closely connected to sanctions and suggests a possible quid pro quo. The Trump administration has been been trying to lift sanctions on Russia since shortly after taking office. Currently, they are looking to return Russian compounds that President Obama closed as retaliation for Russian election interference.

Trump continues to minimize Russian interference in our election, and while he claims he raised the issue with Putin at the G20 meeting, he appears to accept Putin’s denial and wants to “move forward” with Russia. The revelation this week that Trump had a previously undisclosed meeting with Putin with no American officials present gives further credence to a Trump quid pro quo deal with Russia.

It is likely Trump will veto strong Russia sanctions legislation and while the Senate has the votes to override a veto, it will be critical that the House pass the legislation with the 2/3 majority necessary to override a presidential veto.
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Sample Script:
This is [NAME] and I’m a constituent in [ZIP].
I want [Rep____] to support legislation immediately to increase sanctions on Russia for meddling in our election.
It’s critical to make sure the president cannot lift any Russia sanctions without Congress’s consent.
I don’t trust this administration to do the right thing on Russia sanctions.
Where does the Rep currently stand on this issue?
[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

While Rex W. Tillerson, now the secretary of state, led the energy giant, “Exxon Mobil demonstrated reckless disregard for U.S. sanctions requirements,” the Treasury Department said.
NYTIMES.COM