Sen. John McCain slams Trump for missing Russia sanctions deadline
Oct 12, 2017, 3:59 AM | Updated: Mar 1, 2018, 3:42 pm
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives at the Capitol for a weekly Republican policy meeting, in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, amid the diminishing, last-ditch GOP push to overhaul the nation's health care system. Looking at the twilight of his career and a grim cancer diagnosis, McCain, who prides himself on an independent streak, could not be moved to go along with the Graham-Cassidy bill. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
PHOENIX — U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) joined a group of bipartisan senators who wrote a letter to the Trump administration to address the delay in the implementation of sanctions on Russia.
The Trump administration was expected to announce the implementation of sanctions on the Russia defense and intelligence sectors by Oct. 1, after President Donald Trump signed legislation in August that strengthens and expands sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea.
The bill was drafted with the intent that Trump would punish Russia for its tempering in the 2016 presidential election. McCain, joined by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), sent a letter to the administration on Sept. 29 reminding them of the deadline.
In a statement, McCain said the delay “calls into question the Trump administration’s commitment to the sanctions bill.”
“In addition to the administration’s lack of responsiveness on this deadline, there does not appear to be a significant diplomatic effort to engage our allies in Europe and lead an effort to increase pressure on Moscow,” the statement read.
“Congressional intent was clear, reflected in the overwhelming bipartisan majority in favor of the legislation,” it added.
