Latest news with #RichardBlumenthal
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
U.S. Senate Weighs Sanctions Bill As Russia Stalls Peace Talks
US Senators Lindsey Graham (R) and Richard Blumenthal speak on Mykhailivska Square during a press ... More conference in Kyiv on May 30, 2025, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. (Photo by Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / AFP) (Photo by TETIANA DZHAFAROVA/AFP via Getty Images) South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham and Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal met with European and Ukrainian officials last week to discuss Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. During the session, the two senators briefed their counterparts on their new joint bill, which, if passed, would impose stiff new sanctions on the Russian Federation. For five months, the United States has attempted to broker a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. But Russian leaders have continued to launch missile and drone strikes on Ukraine, which retaliates in kind on strategic targets. As such, in an interview with CBS' 'Face the Nation' on July 13, Graham and Blumenthal stated that the new sanctions bill on Russia would impose a '500% tariff on imports from countries that purchase Russian uranium, gas, and oil,' as well as other products. Currently, several countries in South America, Africa, and Asia continue to conduct business with Russia. But if the new bill is passed, the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 would put pressure on countries that continue to conduct business with Russia. It would force them to rethink their trade relations with the Russian Federation. By extension, fewer finances would mean less purchasing power for Russia to finance its ongoing war in Ukraine. The proposed legislation currently has 84 cosponsors, indicating it has strong bipartisan support. Several Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives, including Speaker Mike Johnson, also welcomed the motion. 'There's a tremendous amount of bipartisan support [for this bill] here in the Senate,' said Senate Majority Leader John Thune in an interview reported by The Hill. 'I hope that we can get it on the floor before the August recess.' It appears that the White House is also in support of the sanctions proposal. During an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on July 14, President Donald Trump stated that he was 'very, very unhappy with Russia,' but that the U.S. would impose new financial penalties on the Russian Federation if a ceasefire agreement is not reached within 50 days. How the sanctions bill will proceed, however, is unclear. Throughout the attempted negotiation process since February 2025, the United States has threatened a series of ultimatums if Russia did not reach a ceasefire. American officials gave the Russian Federation several two-week deadlines to achieve peace with Ukraine. But as the proposals were introduced throughout the spring, the attempts at peace were largely ignored. For example, in March, the United States met with Ukrainian and Russian officials to discuss a 30-day ceasefire on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Reuters, the Kyiv Independent, and U.S. News and World Report then published reports stating that Russia had violated the energy infrastructure ceasefire at least 30 times. Then, in April, the Russian Federation proposed a three-day ceasefire during the Easter and Passover holidays. The temporary truce was violated shortly afterward when the Russians launched drone and missile strikes throughout Ukraine. Despite violating the peace attempts in March and April, the United States did not respond to its ultimatums issued to Russia. Instead, the U.S. offered a new set of ultimatums as it hoped to broker a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. It is therefore unclear whether the sanctions bill will be introduced if Russia fails to uphold a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine within the next 50 days. Nonetheless, Republicans and Democrats have both stated that they are ready to continue supporting Ukraine during Russia's ongoing invasion. Many senators are also anxiously awaiting the introduction of the new sanctions bill. In their view, stiffer penalties will be the only way to force Russia to end its war. In short, current developments suggest that a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia is unlikely to occur. Therefore, it remains to be seen how the Senate will proceed with its new sanctions bill to force Russia to stop its war in Ukraine.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
'Game changer': Bipartisan senators gunning for Russia sanctions ready to give Trump runway
A bipartisan duo bent on imposing strict sanctions against Russia are giving President Donald Trump some runway after his latest, hardened stance against Moscow. Senators Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., have pressed for stringent sanctions against Russia and its energy trade partners, and they have been working to refine their bill to meet requirements from the White House that give Trump more flexibility. The bill had been sidelined by congressional Republicans' push to pass the president's "big, beautiful bill" and had been eyed for a vote possibly by the end of the month. But Trump's announcement that he would levy 100% tariffs against Moscow unless Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to end the war with Ukraine has likely again stalled that plan, and the bipartisan pair isn't mad about it. "It sounds like right now the president is going to attempt to do some of this on his own," Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters. "If at some point the president concludes that it makes sense and adds value and leverage that he needs in those negotiations to move the bill, then we'll do it. We'll be ready to go." The president's warning came after he agreed to sell weapons to NATO, which, in turn, would be sent to Ukraine to resupply their dwindling stocks. "We're pleased that the president sort of buys into that way of doing business. We'll continue to work with the White House to see if we can provide him a tool that Congress has been working on," Graham said. Their bill would slap up to 500% tariffs on countries buying energy products from Moscow in a bid to kneecap Russia's war machine by imposing duties on oil, gas, uranium and other exports, largely purchased by China and India, which account for nearly three-quarters of Moscow's energy business. But that doesn't mean that work on the bill has ceased. Graham noted that having Congress' blessing "is good for the president" and could help him legally and politically. "But between the weapons flowing and sanctions through tariffs on the table, I think we can say today was a game changer that we've been waiting on and hoping for, and on day 51 you want to know what happens," Graham said. "Call the Ayatollah." Blumenthal lauded Trump's shift and gave him credit "for seeing through the mocking and flouting by Vladimir Putin." He argued that the bill, which has dozens of co-sponsors in the Senate and backing by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had already made an impact and noted that Trump's move was like a "hammer." "Our bill is a sledgehammer," Blumenthal said.
Al Mayadeen
5 days ago
- Business
- Al Mayadeen
US bill proposes 500% tariffs on nations trading with Russia
US Senator Lindsey Graham has introduced a controversial bill that would impose punitive 500% tariffs on countries maintaining energy trade with Russia, a move widely seen as targeting sovereign nations that have refused to align with Washington's demands over the Ukraine conflict. "If you are buying products from Russia and you are not helping Ukraine, then there is a 500% tariff on your products coming to the United States," Graham told ABC News, as he unveiled the bill, co-authored with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal. Backed by 84 bipartisan co-sponsors, the legislation lays out sweeping economic penalties on both Russia and its global trading partners. The bill proposes primary sanctions against Russian officials and key sectors such as energy, finance, and defense. More strikingly, it introduces secondary sanctions on third-party countries that continue importing Russian oil, gas, uranium, or other strategic resources, a direct challenge to states that have opted for non-alignment and strategic autonomy. "My bill has 84 co-sponsors. It will allow the president to put tariffs on China and India and other countries," Graham stated, reflecting growing US frustration with countries that refuse to mirror NATO's stance on the conflict. Yet, even within Washington, the bill is causing friction. The Trump administration has reportedly requested revisions to the bill that would give President Donald Trump greater discretion in its enforcement. The Wall Street Journal reported that the White House is concerned the legislation could derail recent diplomatic overtures, including a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and preliminary efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. From the perspective of many, the proposed tariffs are not about peace or stability. Across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, governments have resisted pressure to take sides in a European war expanded by NATO interests. Instead, they have repeatedly called for diplomacy, de-escalation, and respect for sovereign development paths. India has firmly defended its rising energy trade with Russia, stating that discounted oil purchases are driven by economic necessity, not geopolitics. New Delhi has refused to participate in Western sanctions, abstained from UN votes against Moscow, and stressed its need to ensure energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens. Indian leaders view these moves as consistent with their historic policy of strategic non-alignment. China, meanwhile, continues to expand its cooperation with Russia through yuan-based energy transactions, large-scale fossil fuel purchases, and joint infrastructure initiatives. Beijing has criticized unilateral sanctions that bypass the United Nations, asserting that multipolarity and sovereign equality are necessary for a stable global order. Read more: China will continue efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis: MoFA Russia remains a vital exporter of: A 500% US tariff on imports from these countries would have far-reaching implications: threatening global supply chains, spiking inflation in energy-importing states, and punishing governments for independent foreign policy decisions. Analysts warn that this could backfire, accelerating global efforts to de-dollarize trade, strengthen South-South cooperation, and bypass US-dominated systems entirely. With initiatives like BRICS Pay, cross-border digital currencies, and bilateral trade agreements growing in popularity, Washington's aggressive tactics may deepen the very multipolar realignment it seeks to suppress.
E&E News
5 days ago
- Politics
- E&E News
Dems want probe of FEMA cost policy in wake of floods
Two Democratic senators want the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general to launch an investigation into Secretary Kristi Noem's cost-control measures — and how the policy may have affected Federal Emergency Management Agency's response to devastating flooding in Texas that left more than 120 people dead. The letter from Sens. Rubén Gallego of Arizona and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, first obtained by POLITICO and sent Monday, references a sweeping rule Noem has implemented at DHS requiring every contract and grant over $100,000 to have her approval before the funds can be released. In the aftermath of the Texas flooding this month, reports have suggested the policy created obstacles to FEMA's response, leaving it unable to pre-position certain resources and quickly activate certain response teams. Advertisement 'The American people deserve answers and more importantly, they deserve accountability. While we are still waiting for all the facts to come out, what is clear is that FEMA must be able to respond to disasters immediately,' the letter said. 'A disaster response system that must wait for one official's signature is unacceptable and designed to fail.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Blumenthal, officials warn Connecticut travelers to check passports for validity
MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — With the summer travel season in full swing, the Connecticut Passport Agency and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are warning travelers about a lesser-known passport rule that can cause confusion and delays. It can also cost travelers thousands of dollars. New traffic pattern at Tweed-New Haven airport aims to reduce congestion Sanatana Edmonds with the agency is urging people to 'check your passports to ensure six months of validity left on them.' Officials say several destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia require a person's passport to be valid for three to six months after their departure or entry date. It's not only countries, according to Blumenthal. He says some airlines also follow the rule. 'They'll look at your passport and they'll say 'we can't let you on the plane,'' he said. 'We've seen people lose money, but more heartbreak.' In addition to checking your documents and renewing your passport if necessary, you can visit to see your passport's validity for your destination. Blumenthal's office will be hosting Passport Day on Thursday from 12-7 p.m. at 90 State House Square in Hartford. Staff will assist individuals with renewals, first-time passport applications, and TSA PreCheck enrollment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
