Tougher Russia sanctions face skepticism from Senate Republicans

[DonViejo]

BY JORDAIN CARNEY - 08/05/18 10:30 AM EDT

An effort to slap new financial penalties on Russia ahead of the midterms is facing pushback from Senate Republicans who question whether that's the best approach.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are under pressure to act amid growing concern that Moscow is trying to influence the November elections, with control of Congress hanging in the balance.

President Trump’s rhetoric in Helsinki, more indictments in special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe and reports of Russian hacking efforts against Democratic senators have increased scrutiny on what action, if any, Congress will take to respond.

But GOP senators are becoming increasingly skeptical that passing a new bill — roughly a year after Congress imposed stiff penalties on Moscow — will be enough to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from interfering with congressional campaigns.

“Obviously what we want is a change in behavior, right?” said Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. “We’ve inflicted a lot of pain but thus far there’s been no change in behavior.”

more
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/400343-tougher-russia-sanctions-face-skepticism-from-senate-republicans

[kimbutgar]

1. We know at least 9 senators who don't want more sanctions on Russia

Those 8 fourth of July visitors to Russia traitors and Rand Paul.

[SHRED]

2. They are twisting into knots for appeasement

Link to tweet

[KPN]

3. The perfect meme. Sanctions aren't working already so let's not do more of them.

Better to do nothing.

If only they'd apply that same logic to trickle-down. F'ing vultures.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

4. How are we going to win elections if we piss off the Russians? - The GOP