10 Bipartisan Senators Introduce Comprehensive Russia Sanctions Legislation

Statement

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and John McCain (R-Ariz.), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led a group of bipartisan Senators Wednesday to introduce comprehensive sanctions legislation on Russia for their cyber intrusions, aggression, and destabilizing activities here in the United States and around the world.

A factsheet on the legislation follows the quotes from the original cosponsoring Senators: Robert Menendez (D-N.J.); Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.); Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.); Marco Rubio (R-Fla.); Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.); Ben Sasse (R-Neb.); Dick Durbin (D-Ill.); and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).

"Russia has worked to insidiously interfere with and influence the Presidential election in the United States, and Russian military aggression in Ukraine and Syria has violated international commitments and shown a clear disregard for sovereignty and humanitarian norms. Our comprehensive sanctions package being introduced today will send a clear message to Vladimir Putin that he has gone too far, and that there will be consequences for his actions," said Senator Cardin. "I thank my bipartisan colleagues for joining me in this effort. I look forward to its passage and President Trump taking advantage of this strong tool as part of our American diplomatic arsenal."

"Every American should be alarmed by Russia's brazen attack on our democracy," said Senator McCain. "For eight years, the United States has had no policy to deter, respond to, or retaliate against cyberattacks. As a nation, we must demonstrate that if you attack our country, you will pay a price. That's why I'm proud to join with my Republican and Democratic colleagues in the Senate to introduce legislation that would impose new sanctions on Russia for its attack on our election and destabilizing activities in democracies around the world. Now is the time to put partisanship aside and send a signal that the United States will not stand for Russia's aggressive actions."

"As Russia continues its flagrant efforts to sabotage and subvert democratic norms and principles of freedom across the world, this is a significant step that sends an unequivocal response to President Putin: The U.S. Congress remains united in our absolute rejection of their rule over Crimea, belligerent actions in Syria, and will hold them accountable for their interference in our democratic system," said Senator Menendez, author of the STAND for Ukraine Act, legislation that was incorporated into the Countering Russian Hostilities Act. "This comprehensive, bipartisan legislation creates a broad policy framework that combines new ways to proactively support our allies, bolster democratic institutions across Europe, and also expand and strengthen aggressive sanctions across Russian individuals and entities. At a pivotal time in world affairs in the face of Russian aggression, the Countering Russian Hostilities Act makes clear that the United States will not tolerate dictatorial actions, annexation or interventionism."

"When it comes to Russia's efforts to undermine democracy in our backyard and throughout the world, enough is enough. These bipartisan sanctions will be hard-hitting and go well-beyond what exists today. And hopefully, these sanctions will deter other would-be bad actors from interfering with the democratic process in the future. Focusing on the financial services and energy sectors -- and targeting Putin and his inner circle -- is the best way to get Russia's attention," said Senator Graham.

"The Russian government, directed by President Putin, launched a brazen attack on our elections that demands an aggressive response," said Senator Shaheen. "The facts are clear, and it's time to act. America must stand united in sending a strong message to the Kremlin that this attack on the foundation our democracy will not go unpunished. I'm very proud to say that this legislation is bipartisan and pulls no punches. President-elect Trump should face the facts and lend his support to our effort."

"Vladimir Putin is not an ally of America, and he only understands strength, not weakness in the form of unilateral concessions. These two facts are important to remember as a new president takes office," said Senator Rubio. "I will continue working with our bipartisan coalition to pressure Putin and his corrupt regime until Russia changes its behavior."

"Russia used cyberattacks and propaganda to try and undermine our democracy. We are not alone. Russia has a pattern of waging cyberattacks and military invasions against democracies across the world," said Senator Klobuchar. "On a recent trip to the Baltic states, Ukraine, and Georgia with Senators McCain and Graham, it became clear that this is not about one party, one election, or even one country. It's about defending democracies. This bipartisan sanctions bill sends a message to the Kremlin that Russian aggression will not go unchecked."

"Russia is no friend -- by Putin's choice, not ours. His Soviet-style aggressions toward the people of the United States, NATO, and our other allies cannot be rewarded. This bipartisan effort works to upend Putin's calculus and defend America from Russian cyberattacks and political meddling," said Senator Sasse.

"Russia struck at the heart of American democracy with its cyberattacks last year," said Senator Durbin. "While Moscow has been targeting us for a very long time, this most recent attack was a dramatic escalation that cannot be ignored or go unanswered. The Obama Administration issued significant new sanctions on the Russian Federation--that sent a signal to the Kremlin that must now be amplified by Congress. There is bipartisan support for strong additional sanctions against Russia, and I will support that effort every step of the way. The American people should be absolutely outraged that some Members of Congress continue to waffle and downplay this--but make no mistake: this was an attack on America, and it will not go unanswered."

"Russia must be held accountable for its illegal annexation of Crimea, ongoing aggression inside Ukraine, extensive disinformation and propaganda campaigns against the United States and its allies," said Senator Portman. "This bipartisan legislation sends an important message that the United States Senate takes its obligation to act on behalf of American national security interests seriously, and is prepared to take proactive steps to ensure that we live up to our commitments to our allies and uphold longstanding American values and ideals."