Trump should immediately push Russia sanctions, Sen. Blumenthal says
Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Sunday urged President Donald Trump to immediately push for legislation that would ratchet up sanctions against Russia.
'This moment cries out for presidential leadership. There is an urgency here,' the Connecticut Democrat said on CBS' 'Face the Nation.'
Speaking in a joint interview with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Blumenthal urged Trump to move quickly: 'I think the president should call on the Senate to vote approval of the Russian sanctions bill literally tomorrow. He's on his way tonight to the G7 meeting. He will be sitting across from world leaders. Right now, very bluntly, the perception may be one of weakness in terms of America's position on Ukraine. He can be there in a position of strength.'
A G7 meeting is getting under way in Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada.
Graham on Thursday made his case for the sanctions in an op-ed for Fox News. 'We now have over 84 Senate cosponsors and 70 House cosponsors of legislation to enact hard-hitting sanctions and tariffs on Russia and its financial backers,' he wrote. 'It is clear to me and virtually every sponsor of the Russia sanctions bill that the way we deal with Putin will either encourage or deter bad actors.'
On Sunday, Graham and Blumenthal also discussed the Israel-Iran war. Both are eager to see any possibility of Iran developing nuclear weapons eliminated.
'I would urge President Trump to go all in to make sure that when this operation is over, there's nothing left standing in Iran regarding their nuclear program. If that means providing bombs, provide bombs,' Graham told host Margaret Brennan.
Blumenthal added: 'A nuclear-armed Iran is a unacceptable threat to the world, not just to Israel, but to the United States as well. And I support Israel's right to defend itself against this existential menace. I'm very concerned right now about United States personnel in the region, our servicemen and women, but also the civilians that are there.'
The Connecticut Democrat also said the country 'ought to strengthen sanctions against Iran.'
Graham seconded that idea.
'I'll be your wingman. We'll write the bill right here on television. China, if you're listening, stop buying Russian oil, and stop helping the Iranians. You make the world a safer place if you would stop,' he told Brennan.
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