August 7, 2018
Your Action Call your Senators and urge them pass the Menendez/Graham Russia sanctions bill. (S.3336) Background All of Trump’s senior national security officials, in a joint press conference last week, warned that Russia has undertaken “pervasive” efforts to interfere in the 2018 midterms, with both targeted propaganda and attempted hacking of campaign emails. Trump, however, continues to frequently contradict his senior officials, refuses to consistently acknowledge that the Russians even interfered in the 2016 election and has done nothing to deter their interference in the 2018 midterms. He has also denigrated NATO and shamelessly pandered to Putin. While the DETER Act has been introduced to put automatic sanctions on Russia for any interference, it now seems too little too late as the Russians are already interfering and the key Republican sponsor, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), has stated he’s open to amending the bill so that the imposition of sanctions would be in Trump’s control. Strong new sanctions legislation has been proposed by a bipartisan group of Senators. The legislation would immediately impose crippling sanctions on key Russian industries and individuals, including Putin’s family members, prevent Trump from leaving the NATO alliance without the support of 2/3 of the Senate, and put measures in place to ensure a robust defense against Russian interference. We cannot tolerate nor afford Russian interference in our democracy. The Senate must pass these strong measures with the overwhelming numbers needed to overcome a presidential veto, and it needs to be done now. Script This is [NAME] and I’m a constituent in [ZIP]. Russia is already interfering in our mid-terms with a propaganda blitz and email hacking. The president has shown no interest in protecting the election from the Russia. A strong message needs to be sent that America will not tolerate Russian interference in our democracy. I urge [Sen. ____] to support the Menedez Graham Russia sanctions bill (S.3336).