FEDERAL DAILY ACTION – Friday, July 7th The Call – #RussiaSanctions

 

Representative Rutherford 202-225-2501 or 904-831-5205

Senator Rubio (202 224-3041 or 904 354-4300)

Senator Nelson (202 224-5274 or 904 346-4500)


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. Last week, after House Republicans stalled voting on the bill claiming Constitutional issues, the Senate reapproved the bill with technical corrections to address the issue. The administration opposes the legislation and is lobbying Republicans to water it down.

The Trump administration has been eager to lift Russia sanctions. Former national security adviser Michael Flynn is being investigated for lying to the FBI about conversations he had with the Russian ambassador about sanctions on the day President Obama imposed them. Shortly after the inauguration, the Trump administration made secret efforts to ease the Russia sanctions which were thwarted when a long-time State Department official reported them to Congress. The Trump administration wants to return Russian compounds that had been shuttered by the Obama administration in retaliation for election hacking.

The heads of the US intelligence agencies, former FBI Director Comey and many experts have testified that Russia’s attempts to meddle in our democracy are continuing. It was reported Thursday that US Intelligence believes Russia has stepped up spying in the US since the election. The Trump administration has shown no interest in addressing Russia’s attack on our democracy and Trump contradicted US Intelligence and expert testimony at a press conference on Thursday saying “nobody really knows” if Russia interfered in the US election.
Given Trump’s troubling history regarding Russian interference, it is quite likely he will veto the Russia sanctions legislation. While the Senate has the votes to override the veto, it will be critical that the House pass the legislation with the 2/3 majority necessary to override a presidential veto.

Your Action
Call your Representative and urge him/her to support legislation which would increase sanctions on Russia and tie Trump’s hands on unilaterally lifting the sanctions.

Call your Senators and thank them for supporting increased sanctions on Russia.

Talking Points
This is [NAME] and I’m a constituent in [ZIP].
I want [Rep____] to support legislation to increase sanctions on Russia for meddling in our election.
It is especially important 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?

The Senate was nearly unanimous on Thursday passing a bill that would slap Russia with new sanctions and give Congress the power to review any White…
CNN.COM