A single Saturday release — 64% below the weekly average — targets the White House's executive order shielding Russia from a bipartisan-passed sanctions measure.
President Trump signed an executive order exempting Russia from a new sanctions package that Congress passed last month with bipartisan support, drawing a sharp response Saturday from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.
Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence committees, called the move a national security risk and framed it as preferential treatment for a foreign adversary at the expense of American families. The Senate remains on its pre-election state work period recess, leaving the chamber with no scheduled floor action.
Gillibrand condemns Russia sanctions exemption
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., issued a statement Saturday after President Trump signed an executive order exempting Russia from sanctions Congress passed last month.
"Instead of offering economic relief from the high prices he has inflicted on the American people, President Trump is giving relief to murderous dictator Vladimir Putin," Gillibrand said.
"This exemption defies logic and compromises our national security. This action does nothing to lower costs for working families; it simply rewards Putin for the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians."
Gillibrand added: "Once again, this administration has shown it has unlimited money for bombs, ballrooms, and billionaires, but nothing for the American people — for their healthcare, their food, their housing, and their lives."
Signals
- volumeSaturday volume sits at 1 release — 63.6% below the Saturday average of 2.8.
- recessThe Senate is in its pre-election state work period recess with no scheduled votes.
- silent breaksSen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, has not issued a release in 95 days — notable given his Armed Services Committee role and the Russia sanctions story dominating today's output.
Quiet desks
Senators with no release in two weeks or more.
- Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC95d
- Sen. Alan Armstrong, R-OK93d
- Sen. Roger F. Wicker, R-MS87d
- Sen. Peter Welch, D-VT53d
- Sen. John Kennedy, R-LA30d
- Sen. John Barrasso, R-WY18d
- Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-WA18d
- Sen. Mike Lee, R-UT18d
- Sen. Andy Kim, D-NJ17d
- Sen. Ron Johnson, R-WI17d