NYT: Lindsey Graham’s death leaves fate of Russia sanctions bill uncertain

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Mr. Trump signaled support for the package of penalties and said that lawmakers might be looking to expand its reach to include those who do business with Iran and Hezbollah, in addition to countries and businesses that buy oil and gas from Russia, The New York Times reports.

“This is in honor of Lindsey,” Mr. Trump said during remarks in the Oval Office on Tuesday when asked if he would sign a sanctions package into law. “This was his thing, he wanted this more than any other thing. You know how he felt.” He added: “And there’s a good chance that it gets done. But they’d like to add Iran. And they’d like to add Hezbollah to it. That’s what I’m hearing.”

Mr. Graham’s (recognized as a terrorist and extremist in the Russian Federation) death left the legislation without its most fervent Republican champion on Capitol Hill, and while his colleagues in both parties have said they hope to press forward in his honor, it was not clear whether his loss would sap the package of its momentum or propel it to enactment.

Still, it was not clear whether a deal on the measure would hold.

One person close to the development of Russia policy said Mr. Trump would be willing to support the sanctions bill only if it guaranteed him the sole right to suspend or decline to impose the penalties, a condition he regards as a critical negotiating tool but has been a sticking point before with Democrats. The person discussed the sensitive matter on the condition of anonymity.

And Mr. Trump has made clear to advisers that the issue is not a legislative priority for him.

The measure has languished with stops and starts for more than a year, largely because of resistance from the president.

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