Today, Jess, Les, and John examine the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, a sweeping sanctions bill that passed the Senate over the summer but has since stalled in the House. The legislation would expand pressure on Russia's shadow fleet and grant the president authority to impose tariffs on the top five importers of Russian fuel, while also extending longstanding sanctions on Iran. Despite bipartisan momentum at its peak, the bill collapsed when Democrats reversed course, unwilling to hand the Trump administration broader tariff powers — even if it meant abandoning a policy designed to protect Ukraine.
Why did Democrats walk away from a bill that delivered nearly everything they had been demanding on Russia policy? Is the Trump administration actually willing to squeeze Russian energy markets, or is there simply no appetite to risk higher prices at home? What would a serious pressure campaign on Russia look like — from tightening the oil price cap to cracking down on the dark fleet?
Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.
@NotTVJessJones
@lestermunson
@JohnCLipsey
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