Topic: The US Senate postpones sanctions against Russia (Read 332 times)

By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House passed an intelligence policy bill Wednesday that bolsters efforts against Russia's alleged covert influence campaigns in the United States and elsewhere, and seeks to strengthen congressional oversight of America's spy agencies.
The bipartisan bill addresses national security threats, the U.S. intelligence community's activities and congressional oversite duties. It includes a classified annex that hasn't been made public. The Senate is expected to pass the legislation, possibly this week.
The measure funds efforts to foil attacks and deny terrorists haven in Iraq, Syria, North Africa and other places in the world. It supports U.S. counterintelligence programs that address adversaries' threats in cyberspace and outer space, and at sea.
It also updates whistleblowing procedures in the intelligence community. And it requires a declassification review of intelligence reports on the past militant activities of detainees transferred out of the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Monitoring would be strengthened over the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, an independent agency set up after 9/11 to make sure the federal government's efforts to prevent terrorism balance with protecting privacy and civil liberties.?
Probably this is a consequence of non-constructive telephone conversation with Putin.

It is glaring that the new government  is ready to foster relationship with Russia not enemies which is good for the world because the two of them possess nuclear weapon

Sanctions have been in place for the last 3 years, and they had hardly any impact on the Russian economy. Despite the low crude oil and natural gas prices, the Russian economy has come out of recession.

Indeed, all agreed and soon Russia will come out from under the indignation of other countries. This can really have a good effect on the financial situation within the state. The Russian people are waiting for this.

After Trump and Putin agreed on the phone, I think that the extension of sanctions will still be. Europe is also suffering losses from the sanctions and will put pressure on the Americans. I think it's no accident that telephone conversation took place immediately after Merkel's visit to Russia.

I'm no friend if Trump, but I think I get this. Now, Congress has been holding its nuts on this investigation, it's dragging out a bit according to some of the commitee members, due to partisan conflict. Despite this, despite how long it takes, it would be premature to sanction Russia, not truly understanding the full role of the interference. Better to let the cards play out.

Also, observe that Congress made a very large appropriation in the last shutdown bill to stop Russia from meddling in other globally important electoral processes:

"The measure allocates money to a new fund totaling at least $100 million to counter Russian influence. It will finance measures to promote good governance in areas that are coming under pressure from Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a summary of the measure from Senate Democrats."

Should be provable, I don't feel like getting it here is the article:
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/01/trump-congress-budget-power-237849

They also enacted nija legislation on his War Powers, as well as a few more controversial things. It's an interesting read, for both sides of the aisle, as they came to a quick consensus on this.

The Committee of the Senate of the United States of America on foreign relations has postponed consideration of the bill to impose new sanctions against Russia. What is this trump card to Trump a telephone conversation with Putin or the "hand of Moscow" in the U.S. Senate?