[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 112 (Thursday, June 29, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3840-S3841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                            Russia Sanctions

  Finally, Mr. President, as to Russia sanctions, on June 15, nearly 2 
weeks

[[Page S3841]]

ago, the Senate, in an act of bipartisanship, passed a tough Russia 
sanctions bill on a 98-to-2 vote. There are very few things of such 
significance that this body does with such a large bipartisan vote--
Democrats and Republicans, all but two coming together.
  The majority leader, Senator McConnell, and I worked hard to pass it 
before a possible meeting between President Trump and President Putin 
at the G20 summit. We wanted to send a message to Mr. Putin: If you 
interfere with our democratic institutions, you will be punished. These 
new sanctions should also help to deter future Russian interference.
  At the Speaker's request, I hope this morning the Senate will pass a 
technical correction to address the blue-slip issue. It is important 
for Speaker Ryan to get the House to act on this legislation before the 
July 4th recess. It is critical that Congress speak in a loud, clear, 
and unified voice to President Putin: Interfering with our elections--
the wellspring and pride of our democracy for over two centuries--will 
not be tolerated, and the United States will always respond forcefully, 
including with the power of economic sanctions.
  I want to put the House on notice. If they water down the bill, 
weaken the sanctions, add loopholes to the legislation, they will find 
stiff resistance here in the Senate.
  Later today, we will break for the July 4th recess. The Fourth of 
July is a day to remember the audacity of a ragtag group of colonies 
who declared themselves free and independent from the tyranny of one of 
the great, mighty foreign powers. What better way to mark the occasion 
than for the Congress of that once fledgling Nation--now the mightiest 
Nation in the world, ourselves--to pass a bill that says, 241 years 
since that fateful day, that we intend to defend our democracy as 
fiercely as the patriots who put down their plows and took up muskets 
on Bunker Hill did?
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Lee). The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Perdue). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.