⚖️State Department sanctions include presidential waiver bypassing Congress
Foreign Policy
National Security
President Trump asked Congress this week to approve fresh sanctions on Russia, then slipped in a waiver that lets him dump those penalties whenever he wants. By insisting on that clause, Trump cut lawmakers out of the loop and grabbed extra foreign-policy power for himself.
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Key Takeaways
- Trump demanded new Russia sanctions, then grabbed a waiver that lets him lift those penalties any time—shifting power away from Congress.
- Senators Menendez and Risch built a 30-day congressional review into their bill to block any waiver—but Trump’s version tosses that aside.
- You can follow bill S.1234 on Congress.gov to track amendments, committee votes, and the final Senate tally.
- When you call your senators, say you oppose any automatic waiver for Russia sanctions to show you want Congress in charge.
- This showdown sets a template for future fights over executive leeway in foreign policy—staying engaged now shapes how much power presidents get later.
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Why This Matters
⛽ Gas Prices Could Jump $0.25/gallon:
If Trump lifts sanctions on Russian energy firms, global oil markets could wobble and drive U.S. pump prices higher within weeks
💰 Sanctions relief enriches Putin while families pay more:
Removing financial restrictions on Russian companies could boost their profits while American consumers face higher energy costs
🌍 European allies lose energy security:
Weakening Russian energy sanctions could force European nations to become more dependent on authoritarian regimes for heating and electricity
⚖️ Presidential waiver power lacks oversight:
Trump ability to unilaterally suspend sanctions shows how executive power can override congressional foreign policy without democratic input
🎯 Selective enforcement benefits Putin:
Maintaining some sanctions while eliminating others creates arbitrary enforcement that rewards Russian compliance in some areas while ignoring violations in others
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Detailed Content
6
Which two senators wrote the 30-day review amendment into bill S.1234?
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7
On what date is the Senate scheduled to vote on bill S.1234?
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