Democrats Resist Trump's Push to Add Iran to Russia Sanctions Bill

Democrats are resisting President Donald Trump’s push to add Iran to a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill. This has complicated what was expected to be an easy Senate victory before lawmakers leave Washington for their summer recess.

The GOP-led Senate could advance the long-stalled Russia sanctions package as early as this week, in honor of the proposal’s lead Republican sponsor, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. However, Republicans are increasingly embracing Trump’s call to include Iran, while Democrats insist the two issues remain separate.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who worked on the legislation with Graham and is a leading co-sponsor, told the Washington Examiner: “The Russia sanctions bill is the product of painstaking — sometimes painful — negotiations over many months. My personal view is that it should be passed as is. If there are additional changes, which may be very worthwhile, they should be considered separately.”