By an overwhelming 98-2 vote, the Senate passed Sen. Bob Corker’s “Countering Iran’s Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017” Thursday, with Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Bernie Sanders being the only nay votes.
Although the act imposes sanctions on Iran, an amendment which imposes sanctions on Russia and blocks the president’s power to lift or ease those sanctions grabbed the most attention in the headlines.
Senate approves new Russia sanctions and prevents White House from making changes without congressional review. https://t.co/uBVGyh6vYp pic.twitter.com/0pWneKACNi
— ABC News (@ABC) June 15, 2017
As Corker explained in a statement, the Senate saw the passage of the legislation, and the language connected to the Russia sanctions specifically, as a reassertion of congressional authority following decades of Congress “slowly and irresponsibly” ceding its authority to the executive branch — which many assume is a swipe specifically at Donald Trump. For evidence, just check out how happy the vote made George Takei:
Senate voted 97-2 to strip Donald of the power to lift sanctions against Russia. Even Republicans see the puppet strings Vladimir is pulling
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) June 15, 2017
By a vote of 98 to 2, the Senate passed my legislation today to strengthen and expand sanctions on Iran and Russia: pic.twitter.com/5SVoDZhg0b
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) June 15, 2017
Interestingly, Sanders, one of only two votes against the legislation, had asked last week that the vote be delayed after a terrorist attack in Tehran killed 12 people and injured 40 more.
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Bernie Sanders calling for delay on planned Iran sanctions vote in solidarity w/Iranians after the attack ? pic.twitter.com/T7SXrcfXYQ
— mahsa alimardani ? (@maasalan) June 7, 2017
On a day when Iran has been attacked by ISIS now is not the time to go forward with legislation calling for sanctions against Iran. pic.twitter.com/tGNUDxI2n1
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 7, 2017
Despite a week’s delay, Sanders still voted against the sanctions, explaining that further sanctions could endanger the Iran nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration. “That is not a risk worth taking,” he asserted.
Sanders explained that he supported the sanctions against Russia, which were added in an amendment Wednesday, making the whole thing an all or nothing proposition: sanctions against Iran and Russia, or none at all.
Bernie Sanders explains his no vote — one of only two in the Senate — on Russia/Iran sanctions: pic.twitter.com/rHOou7ObZb
— George Zornick (@gzornick) June 15, 2017
I'm not convinced. I think he has ties to Russia, going by how much he trashes Dems and Hillary.
— ❄️repubs&45out!?????? (@splashy79) June 15, 2017
I kind of thought he was in it to divide the DNC from the beginning, and now I'm certain of it. He divides a party he doesn't belong to.
— bex ?? (@bex0760) June 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/tsquared2001/status/875431632555184129
Bernie is ONLY against Iran sanctions NOT Russia. Read his statement.
— Sister_64 (@sister_64) June 15, 2017
Yeah and his statement is as full of BS as Trump's usually are. These sanctions have ZERO impact on the 2015 Iran deal. Lol
— Marcia Gaines (@gainesm) June 15, 2017
Why let the good get in the way of the perfect? This's been Sanders MO for decades. In the end he accomplishes nothing as always.
— Maria Swanson (@ZezeSwanson) June 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/AnnegretPearl/status/875433598937169921
the always full of it Bernie Sanders seems extra full of it in this bizarre explanation for why he voted AGAINST sanctions on Russia
— Avanti Sempre (@avantisempre) June 15, 2017
This is insane. Sanctions ARE the peaceful response. Rolling over and ignoring is 100% complicity. WTF is he doing?
— BLOOP! (@susiemcdonnell) June 15, 2017
Oh, screw you Bernie
— @llison ??? (@ripple70) June 15, 2017
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Related:
Wait, WHAT!? Wife of Bernie Sanders hails Iran for setting this GREAT example for the world https://t.co/dUrCnWtg2Z
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) May 23, 2017
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