Democrats have indicated to Republicans that they are prepared to vote as early as next week on a Russia sanctions package that includes a demand from President Trump to also include sanctions on Iran, according to sources familiar with the matter. This legislation represents a potential bipartisan effort to address the ongoing war in Ukraine amid a Senate characterized by partisan conflict.
Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) are collaborating on this effort as the Senate approaches Election Day, which could be significant for avoiding a potential government shutdown.
The Senate will also hold a memorial for Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Tuesday, who was involved in advocating for this bill before his passing on July 11. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed optimism about the bill's progress, emphasizing the importance of acting quickly given the current situation in Ukraine.
The bill, which has over 60 cosponsors, has undergone revisions, including a reduction in secondary tariffs from 500% to 100% and a limitation on the number of countries subject to tariffs. In his final days, Graham secured support from the Trump administration for this legislation.
Trump has since called for the inclusion of Iran in the sanctions bill, stating that it aligns with Graham's intentions. Senators have responded by incorporating noncontroversial sanctions on Iran that were set to expire at the end of the year. Thune noted that Republican senators are generally supportive of these additions.
However, some Democrats are concerned about granting Trump additional authority to impose tariffs and may seek to delay the bill, though they lack the numbers to significantly impede its progress. The Senate leadership still needs to finalize a time agreement for the legislation, but with the crypto bill not expected to be completed soon, there may be more time available for consideration.