Why ‘Sanctioning Russia Act’ Is Putin’s Biggest Nightmare

Russia’s biggest nightmare surfaced last week when Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov condemned the Lindsay Graham Sanctioning Russia Act. This sanction bill is an economic wrecking ball aimed at Russia and those buying their energy products. This extensive sanction bill mandates a 100% maximum tariff on the five largest countries buying Russian oil and gas and punishes countries helping Russia evade sanctions. It hammers Russia’s shadow fleet, targets banks, defense industries, oligarchs and government officials. It sanctions “any foreign person” committing human rights abuses including terror. This includes 20,000 or more kidnapped Ukrainian children and 1.6 million children suffering Russification atrocities in Russian occupied Ukraine.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Depriving Russia of oil and gas revenues which constitute about 40% of Russia’s budget would cripple Russia’s war effort. A plethora of Western sanctions enacted since Russia’s invasion have undeterred Russia’s war in Ukraine. This sanction bill is different because it leverages America’s $30 trillion annual economy to reassert America’s dominant peacemaker role. A host of previously enacted Western sanction packages were grounded in the fallacy that Russia’s trading partners would play fairly. Instead, they created a booming new underground sanctions-evading industry. Some American companies are providing components for Russian military equipment and drone technology. Other Topics of Interest 9/11: Geopolitical Legacy 25 Years On European editorial boards examined the geopolitical legacy, erosion of civil liberties, and political polarization 25 years after the 9/11 attacks. When the presidential endorsement ink dries, the Kremlin may realize it could be game over for their war economy. Unsurprisingly, the Sanction Russia Act (SRA) overwhelmingly passed Senate muster (86-11). It has been endorsed by practically everyone including European partners and White House.But there’s a developing problem. Since its Senate passage in early August, the bill has faced apathy and pushback in the US House. Opposition to the bill includes Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and Don Beyer (D-VA) on the Joint Economic Committee. In August they publicly stated concerns that it gifts President Donald Trump “sweeping new tariff authorities that the President could weaponize with abandon.” Previously, Meeks stated: “it would hurt our European partners, and Americans as well.”However, the Sanction Russia Act (SRA) is narrowly tailored to punish just a few of the largest buyers of Russian energy. It also provides an exemption for our European partners. Many of these sanctions already exist within previous Executive Orders. SRA merely codifies them into law giving Congress more oversight. President Trump could waive these sanctions citing National Security reasons but it would require Congressional notice, input and possible hearings to justify this.House members obsessed with tariff concerns are missing something. The 100% tariff will force buyers of Russian oil to shop elsewhere. This legislation implies that in exchange for the privilege of Trading with America, one cannot buy Russian energy. This mostly eliminates sanction evasion. When the presidential endorsement ink dries, the Kremlin may realize it could be game over for their war economy.On Sept. 11, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) surprised everyone by suddenly scheduling consideration with the House Rules Committee setting up a potential House Floor vote. Advocates for Ukraine currently meeting in Washington want immediate passage. Every day of House inaction is a day of death and terror. The UN reports that “every month this year the number of Ukrainian civilians killed or injured has increased.”Last century the Kremlin orchestrated the murder millions of Ukrainians in a man-made famine called the Holodomor. Russia’s current war is a genocide that is a continuation of the Holodomor. The Kremlin is trying to erase Ukraine’s culture and its 40 million people, off the planet.At this point Congress members should be asking whether or not it will tolerate Russia’s continuing genocides, whether or not it will be complicit.House members irrespective of partisan affiliation who value the sanctity of human life and democracy should stand in solidarity with Ukraine by fast-tracking the SRA for immediate passage. This could mark a historical moment ending centuries of Russian imperialism. The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post. David RootDavid Root is a freelance international journalist covering the Russo-Ukrainian War. He specializes in countering Russian disinformation with “boots on the ground” interaction with Ukrainian refugees, soldiers, war correspondents, Pro-Ukrainian activists, volunteer organizations, American/European politicians and others. He also advocates support for Ukraine in Washington, DC.