Graham Says Trump Gave Green Light to Bipartisan Russia Sanctions Bill — CNN

Sen. Lindsey Graham, the GOP cosponsor of a widely backed bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, said President Donald Trump told Senate Majority Leader John Thune over the weekend to move forward with the legislation, Orda.kz reports, citing CNN.

President Trump told Thune Sunday, when we were playing golf, move the bill,Graham said, adding that the White House sent him a statement “about two hours ago” confirming they had “signed off on the bill.”

Graham’s bill, now supported by more than 80 senators, would allow the president to impose a 500% tariff on imports from countries that buy Russian uranium, gas, and oil.

The South Carolina Republican said a call with members of both chambers is scheduled for the afternoon at the time of the report.

He stressed that “it’s essential we not screw this up.”

If you want Putin to the table, there will be no successful 28-point plan or 12-point plan unless Putin believes that we’re going to continue to support Ukraine militarily and that we’re going to come after people who buy cheap Russian oil, he said, arguing that Congress should pass the bill to provide leverage in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Thune echoed that view, telling reporters, “We want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to give the administration the tools that they need to facilitate and bring about a peaceful resolution between Russia and Ukraine.”

He added that he is among the many senators who consider Graham’s bill “an important tool” for that goal, while noting that it would be faster to advance a sanctions bill if it originates in the House, since it is a revenue measure and must be taken up there first.

Reports previously emerged about a peace plan approved by Trump.