Shaheen Statement on the President's Signing of Russia Sanctions Legislation

(Washington, DC)— U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statement after the President signed into law Russia sanctions legislation that was approved by the Senate and the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. Shaheen was instrumental in urging Senate leadership to act on Russian sanctions legislation and was a key negotiator on the initial version of this legislation that passed the Senate in June. She has been an outspoken critic of President Putin’s authoritarian regime and was the first in Congress to call for hearings on Russian interference in the 2016 elections.

“I am pleased the President signed this sanctions package and gave the Kremlin the response it deserves for interfering in our democracy,” said Shaheen. “I look forward to working with the administration to rigorously implement all parts of this law and demonstrate the United States’ unwillingness to turn a blind eye to attacks against our democratic processes and ideals. It’s important to note that the congressional reviews in this law are not ‘preferences’ as the President states in his signing statement, but rather are mandates passed by overwhelming majorities in both the House and Senate.

“This law also takes appropriate steps to further sanction North Korea and Iran for their destabilizing actions. With these new sanctions, we are sending a resounding message that we are willing to exert bipartisan, American leadership, particularly in response to threats against our own country and against democracies worldwide.”