[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 109 (Monday, June 26, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3745-S3746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                            Russia Sanctions

  Finally, Madam President, I have a word on Russia sanctions. 
President Trump has spent the last few days firing off tweets that 
point fingers at President Obama's handling of Russia's interference in 
our election. It is good that the President has finally acknowledged--
albeit implicitly--that Russia interfered in our election, something 
that the intelligence community has long agreed upon.
  Let me give the President some heartfelt advice. Mr. President, you 
have to stop the name-calling, finger-pointing, and deflection when it 
comes to something as serious as Russia's meddling in our democracy. 
This is very, very serious stuff.
  Whatever President Trump thinks of President Obama's actions during 
the election is moot. Mr. Trump is now President, not Barack Obama, and 
the Russian threat is still there. If President Trump is concerned by 
Russian interference in our election, he can step up to the plate and 
try to stop it. Blaming Obama is not going to solve the problem, even 
though that blame may be wrongly placed.
  The best thing President Trump can do is to support the Russia 
sanctions bill the Senate passed 2 weeks ago by an overwhelming, 
bipartisan, 98-to-2 vote--a bill that is currently languishing at the 
clerk's desk in the House, at what appears to be, at least, the request 
of the White House.
  It would be unconscionable--unconscionable--to let sanctions stay 
where they are or, worse, to weaken them, when Russia has interfered 
with the wellsprings of our democracy and, if not punished, will likely 
do so again.
  If President Trump doesn't support the bill and tries to block it or 
water it down, Americans are going to be asking: What is his 
motivation? What is the reason President Trump is afraid to sanction 
Russia after they interfered in our elections? The American people are 
going to ask a lot of questions.
  I would advise the President to stop casting blame and step up to 
protect the vital interests of this country, to get tough on Russia, 
get serious about safeguarding our elections, and tell Speaker Ryan to 
pass our Russia sanctions bill so that President Trump can sign it.
  Otherwise, President Trump is going to be in an even deeper hole with 
the public on the matter of Russia.
  Thank you, Madam President.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.
  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I thank the distinguished Democratic 
leader for his comments. I ascribe to them.

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