JOBS POLICIES, ANALYSIS, AND RESOURCES
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Russian Election Meddling Illustrates Privacy Concerns of Data Collection and Retention; Data Privacy Proposals
On July 13, 2018, twelve Russian intelligence officers were indicted by a federal grand jury as part of the investigation by the Department of Justice’s Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III.
Federal Budget Deficit Rises Under Trump Administration’s Tax Cuts and Concerns
Tax cuts were one of the primary elements that Donald Trump used to garner voter support during his 2016 presidential campaign. He spoke of tax cuts that would improve the lives of citizens nation-wide, never alluding to the potentially negative effects that could also stem from such a maneuver. He pitched these tax cuts as if they were a solution that could easily fix the economic problems the U.S.
Switching Sides? Trump attacks NATO, Praises Putin.
President Trump’s July 16th meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki quickly became a source of significant controversy both at home and throughout NATO. In a shocking reversal of decades of presidential decorum, President Trump took the opportunity...
Update: Trump Administration Reunification of Families Proves Chaotic
President Trump was court ordered to reunify families by July 26, 2018
Trump Rolls Back Endangered Species Act
The Trump administration has rolled back the Endangered Species Act, a policy that has been in place for the last 45 years having been put in place by Richard Nixon
3D Printed Guns Face New Legal Challenges
After Cody Wilson settled a lawsuit with the government which allowed him to post blueprints online of how to print 3D guns, other states have retaliated in response. A plethora of states have begun attempting to make these blueprints illegal to post, and one judge from Seattle delayed the posting of the plans until the end of August. With the overwhelming flow of information and accessibility on the internet, however, it will be difficult to monitor these blueprints from appearing online.
TSA Monitoring and Documenting Innocent Behavior With Quiet Skies Program
At the end of July 2018, the Boston Globe reported that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had been conducting a surveillance program known as “Quiet Skies.”
Senator’s Warner’s Effort to Have a National Discussion on Internet Policy
On August 1, 2018, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) wrote an opinion piece in USA Today that called on the United States to have a national discussion about Internet privacy, data and social media.
Trade, Not Aid: $12 Billion Aid Package for American Farmers Is Met with Mixed Responses
As the chaos and confusion of the trade war continue to prove problematic on both domestic and global levels, President Trump has attempted to offset the damage done to a critical part of the U.S. economy.
Buy American, Hire American [UPDATED]
Executive Order
Issued April 18, 2017
Update: August 18, 2017
The impact of this executive order is starting to be seen on a widespread scale. Andy Berke, Mayor of Chattanooga said “I’m nervous,” in relation to this executive order being rolled out. He is traveling to Japan to try to convince car companies to continue to send manufacturing projects to his city. These projects have allowed for Chattanooga’s wonderful unemployment rate to stay cushioned at 3.6%. Mayor Berke is worried that this executive order could “could set off a protectionist spiral of tariffs and import restrictions, hurting consumers and workers.” This problem doesn’t only affect companies in the Chattanooga area but cities around the nation that are dependent on manufacturing projects from other nations.
Policy Summary
President Trump’s America First campaign theme was bolstered after the Buy American, Hire American executive order. This order will prioritize American companies for federal contracts and also reform the visa program for foreign workers.
Hire American
As a result of this order, the “Hire American” portion will decrease the overall amount of H1-B visas given. This is because the Administration has accused companies of “importing low-wage workers on H-1B visas to take jobs from young college-trained Americans” leading to the “theft of American prosperity”. There will be a complete overhaul of the lottery system used in the status quo to determine the sponsors of H1-B visas. Trump’s replacement is not set in stone, but will be complete after H1-B visa studies by the Departments of Labor and State. The Trump Administration has claimed that H1-B visa changes will be recommended as soon as the studies are complete.
Buy American
The “Buy American” portion will tighten the waivers and exemptions that agencies use to get around laws that favor American-made goods. It is intended to lead to more purchasing of US made goods by US companies. When enacted it will also include regulations requiring US companies to use American steel for domestic projects that are funded by the government.
Analysis
Hire American
Trump’s executive action has supported his campaign philosophy of economic nationalism, but it may prove to be burdensome for small businesses. Punit Soni, the chief executive of Learning Motors, said these visa changes will hurt small businesses. He claims that small companies cannot afford to pay high salaries and already struggle to attract talent in such a tight market. The order will impact the seasonal labor workforce as it intends to replace low-cost foreign workers who use H1-B workers to work in hotels and resorts with Americans, presumably high school and colleges students. This demand for higher wages by American college graduates will result in increased prices for all consumers. Under the new Executive Order, it is proposed that preference for H1-B visas (in an overall reduced H1-B Visa pool) be given to highly skilled foreign workers. This system would favor highest-paid foreign workers in already successful companies like Google.
Buy American
Trump’s belief that international commerce is harmful to America is not bolstered by the scientific community. One of the most basic tenets of economics claims that if a country can buy a product abroad for less than it is better off buying it. This is because costs will exponentially go up if the US uses its own resources to produce products, rather than purchasing these resources from abroad. If costs increase consumption will decrease as buyers can no longer afford items. As a result, the economy may suffer due to a lack of consumption.
Engagement Resources
- Nasscom Lobby – Lobby to persuade entities like Google, Facebook, and IBM along wt the government to allow for more H1-B visas.
- Town Hall Project – This project compiles the open-to-the-public events held by state and local representatives. This provides a great opportunity to tell them that this executive order will do more bad than good. You can also dial 1-844-6-RESIST to be redirected to the office of your local member of Congress.
- Amazon Lobby – One of the largest technology company lobbies in America. They continue to want access H1-B visas because of their skill and relative cheaper work.
- Forward US – Mark Zuckerburg along with other CEOs (Yahoo and Google) launched a project to reform the immigration system to allow for more H1-B visas. It aims to lobby and advocate for its version of immigration reform, changes to the US education system to improve science and technology education, and the facilitation of scientific breakthroughs with broad public benefits.
This brief was compiled by Vaibhav Kumar. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact vaibhav@usresistnews.org.
Bypassing Congress to Undermine Obamacare
Efforts to sabotage the ACA
Ongoing
Policy Summary
The Trump administration has been undermining public support for Obamacare through a public relations campaign led by Republican Tom Price, the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Price is using taxpayer dollars meant to encourage enrollment in the ACA to instead launch a social media and video campaign designed to weaken public support for the program. Using his title and authority, Price is bypassing Congress by voiding penalties physicians face under Obamacare for not following ACA regulations. These favors do not go unrewarded. Health care providers and groups donated almost $500,000 to Price’s leadership committees and 2016 campaign. These perks for doctors and physicians come from severe cuts to hospital payments such as funding for low-income patients and Medicare payments. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Now that repeal and replace efforts have failed, Republicans under Trump’s leadership are sabotaging Obamacare from within, disregarding Congress’s wishes and ignoring the Congressionally approved purpose of the allotted funds. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price’s job is to execute the law, not impose his own agenda on his department’s funds. Andy Slavitt, former acting administrator at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services said about Price, “Congress appropriates funds for you to carry out laws that they passed, not to spend those funds on activities that counteract those laws.” Price is blatantly ignoring the wishes of Congress and instead encouraging the President’s health care “plan” to let Obamacare fail. Price’s strategy redistributes funds to give more money and power to physicians and less to hospitals and patients. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Pew Research Center – More and more Americans are supporting single payer health coverage. Learn what this means and how Republicans and Democrats feel about the government’s responsibility to provide health coverage.
- Adapt – This organization works to strengthen Medicaid and Medicare and support Disabled Americans.
- As always, contact your state’s elected officials and voice your concerns or support.
This brief was compiled by Ann Furbush. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact Ann@usresistnews.org.
Mueller’s Grand Jury, Manafort’s FBI Raid, House Intel Intrigue
This past week in the Russia investigations, news was dominated by previously undisclosed actions taken by special counsel Robert Mueller: first, that he convened a Washington, DC grand jury to review evidence gathered by his investigation; and later in the week that he had directed the FBI to conduct a raid last month on a home owned by former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort in search of financial documents relevant to the investigation.
DoJ and Special Counsel
Last week news that special counsel Mueller impaneled a grand jury as part of his investigation into Russia and President Trump was made public. This Washington, DC grand jury reviews evidence presented by the special counsel, and can then empower the counsel to subpoena information and testimony, and eventually issue indictments if enough evidence is found. Mueller has also been working with another grand jury outside of DC, in Alexandria, VA, specifically regarding the case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn. That jury has already issued some subpoenas for the Flynn case, so Mueller’s decision to call another grand jury in Washington seems to indicate that his larger probe into Russian election interference, the Trump campaign, and potential obstructions of justice, has been heating up. The Washington grand jury has reportedly already subpoenaed information related to Donald Trump Jr’s infamous Trump Tower meeting.
Media outlets also recently revealed that on July 26, the FBI conducted a surprise pre-dawn raid on Paul Manafort, at the direction of the special counsel. Notably, the raid took place only a day after Manafort was interviewed by the Senate Intelligence Committee. Manafort had also previously pledged to cooperate with the federal and congressional Russia investigations, and had already handed over some requested documents to both congressional intelligence committees. The FBI reportedly raided Manafort’s home in search of financial documents including tax and foreign banking records. This escalation in the special counsel investigation, given Manafort’s previous voluntary disclosures, could indicate that investigators suspected that Manafort was withholding something, or that Mueller wanted a show of force to encourage other witnesses and Trump affiliates to come forward and provide information to the investigation.
Amidst the continuing speculation surrounding President Trump’s harsh criticism of not just special counsel Mueller but also his own Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein said last weekend in an interview that Mueller has the authority to shape the scope of his investigation according to any relevant evidence of wrongdoing he finds. Recently Trump said he did not want Mueller to look into his family finances; Rosenstein’s comments affirm Mueller’s mandate to investigate any crimes he uncovers during the course of his investigation, even if they are not directly related to Russia or the election. As it is perpetually unclear what actions the president might take in response to the special counsel probe, given his ongoing criticisms of Mueller and others in the DoJ, a bipartisan group of senators also recently introduced legislation which would bar Trump from firing the special counsel.
Finally, last week the Senate officially confirmed Christopher Wray as the new director of the FBI.
Senate Judiciary Committee
The Senate Judiciary Committee has reportedly spent the week reviewing documents it received from members of the Trump campaign and current administration–including documents from Donald Trump Jr and Paul Manafort–about the Trump Jr meeting and other Russia-related matters. The committee has also reviewed the memos written by former FBI director James Comey about his interactions with President Trump leading up to his firing. Senate Judiciary chairman Chuck Grassley has been steadily vocal about his investigation’s progress and the importance of its independence, and he recently pushed back against the president’s criticisms of the Russia investigations and the DoJ, saying his committee would refuse to hold a confirmation hearing if Trump fired AG Sessions or otherwise tried to reshuffle DoJ leadership.
House Intelligence Committee
The congressional intelligence committees were shaken last week by news that two Republican staffers from the House Intelligence Committee were sent to London last month in search of Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence agent and the author of the controversial dossier claiming extensive connections between President Trump and Russia. The dossier was compiled while Steele was working with US research firm Fusion GPS, which Republicans have claimed is itself deeply connected to Russia. The dossier was published by BuzzFeed last summer shortly after the election, and its contents remain largely unsubstantiated, although the intelligence committees have been investigating its allegations since it began to circulate, and last month the Senate Judiciary Committee interviewed the co-founder of Fusion GPS; the continued focus on the dossier implies that at least some of its contents are relevant to the Russia investigations. The staffers’ trip, seemingly to find Steele and ask him to speak with the committee about the dossier, came as a surprise to Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee, including ranking member Adam Schiff, who told reporters that he thought the committee’s Republican leader Mike Conaway was also unaware of the trip. Congressional and media speculation seems to point towards House Intel chairman Devin Nunes–who is supposedly still recused from the committee’s Russia investigation but somehow keeps popping back up–having directed the staffers to go looking for Steele; the staffers were sent by the committee staff director Damon Nelson, a close longtime employee of Nunes. It appears that neither House Intelligence Committee leadership, the Senate Intelligence Committee, nor the special counsel were notified in advance of the trip, which raises questions about its ultimate intention and about the role of Steele’s dossier in the future of the Russia investigations.
This blog was written by Stella Jordan. If you have comments on this blog, contact stella@usresistnews.org.
Scott Pruitt Reverses Decision to Delay Ozone Regulation
EPA Rule Implementation
Decision reversed on August 2, 2017
Policy Summary
On August 2, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt reversed the agency’s June announcement to delay implementation of a 2015 Obama-era ozone regulation for another year. The reversal came one day after 15 states and DC filed a lawsuit against the EPA Administrator over the delay. While the reversal was a win for health and environmental advocates, the EPA noted that it “may take future action to use its delay authority and all other authority legally available to the Agency to ensure that its designations are founded on sound policy and the best available information.” LEARN MORE
Analysis
The 2015 regulation set a new national standard for ozone, a smog-causing pollutant formed by chemicals from smokestacks and tailpipes that mixes with the air we breathe, reducing the acceptable amount from 75 parts per billion to 70 parts per billion. Ozone has been linked to childhood asthma, lower infant birth weights, and lung disease and exacerbates asthma attacks. While the rule is one of the most expensive regulations in history, with an estimated annual cost of $1.4 billion, the EPA estimated that those “costs would be vastly outweighed by annual economic benefits of $2.9 billion to $5.9 billion because of fewer premature deaths, missed days of school and work, asthma attacks and emergency room visits.” Though the agency examined nearly 2,300 scientific studies, considered more than 430,000 public comments and held three public hearings while preparing the standard, Pruitt’s delay relied on a provision of the Clean Air Act allowing the agency to delay standards for up to a year if they have “insufficient information.” Earthjustice attorney Seth Johnson argues that “the EPA’s hasty retreat shows that public health and environmental organizations and 16 states across the country were right: the agency had no legal basis for delaying implementation of the 2015 smog standard.” LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Sierra Club – the nation’s largest environmental preservation organization; focuses include mitigating global warming and opposing coal; plaintiff in lawsuit over EPA’s delay
- American Lung Association – a voluntary health organization working to improve lung health and prevent lung disease through education, advocacy, and research; plaintiff in delay lawsuit
- Earthjustice – a non-profit public interest law organization dedicated to environmental issues; represented environmental and public health organizations in lawsuit over EPA’s delay
This brief was compiled by Conor Downey. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact conor@usresistnews.org.
Chicago Sues to Remain a Sanctuary City
Lawsuit filed by the City of Chicago against the Department of Justice
Filed on July 7, 2017
Policy Summary
On Monday, July 7th the city of Chicago’s sued the Department of Justice, over its threat to withhold federal funds to Sanctuary Cities. Specifically, the DOJ threatened to withhold funds from the Byrne JAG grant program, which provides federal funds for local police forces (I go into greater detail about this action in the previous Immigration brief). In announcing the lawsuit Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel derided the new Justice Department policies as “unconstitutional” and vowed that Chicago will “not be blackmailed by the federal government”. The case will be heard in the United States District Court for the District of Northern Illinois. LEARN MORE
Analysis
In this case, Chicago is arguing that complying with the new Justice Department guidelines would result in the erosion of trust between immigrant communities and the police, which in turn could lead to a myriad of problems such as a lower number of crimes being reported, and less cooperation. Additionally, Chicago is concerned that holding immigrants at its jails at the request of federal immigration authorities(which is required under the new DOJ guidelines), could result in detention times longer than is permissible by the Constitution. While the Trump Administration argues that cracking down on Sanctuary cities is necessary to prevent crime (the data says otherwise) it is putting itself in the awkward position of threatening to withhold funds for law enforcement agencies after previously stating that helping police forces was one of its highest priorities. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Take Action with United We Dream: United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation. They organize and advocate for the dignity and fair treatment of immigrant youth and families, regardless of immigration status.
- Get involved with the American Civil Liberties Union: The ACLU is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose stated mission is “to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
- Find a Congressional Town Hall Meeting Near You: Search by town and state or zip code to find a congressional Town Hall scheduled near you. Voice your concerns about the Travel Ban and other Trump Administration policies directly to your Representative or Senator.
This brief was compiled by William Lucier. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact william@usresistnews.org.
Congress Advances Health Care Efforts
Bipartisan efforts in Congress
Ongoing
Policy Summary
After another GOP failure on the health care front, members of Congress resorted to more incremental legislation. Congress is working across the aisle to counter President Trump’s threats to encourage the implosion of Obamacare and cut off subsidies for health insurers known as cost-sharing reduction payments. Without these subsidies that help low-income people afford care, insurers would be forced to raise premiums. Congress is working to block Trump from cutting off these subsidies and disrupting insurance markets. Recently, the Senate also approved F.D.A funding, voted for $3.9 billion in spending on urgent problems with Veterans Affairs, and passed the Right to Try bill, which expands access to experimental treatment for the terminally ill. The bill passed the Senate 94-to-1 and is expected to pass the House as well. LEARN MORE
Analysis
These congressional advancements can be attributed to the increasing cooperation among Congress members. The bipartisan developments in health care are possible because both parties agree that health law needs to be improved, and the GOP’s failed attempts at repeal and replace prove that these improvements will require cooperation. Instead of GOP leaders and Trump against Democrats and moderates, the tables seemed to have turned on Trump, who now faces a more united Congress. In this new face-off, Congress is actively passing legislation the President opposes, whether in health care or other issues such as new sanctions on Russia, or impeding Trump’s ability to fire special counselor Robert Mueller. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Pew Research Center – More and more Americans are supporting single payer health coverage. Learn what this means and how Republicans and Democrats feel about the government’s responsibility to provide health coverage.
- Universal Health Care Action Network – Learn more, subscribe, find links to news articles, and find local networking and advocacy groups to promote affordable health care.
- As always, contact your state’s elected officials and voice your concerns or support.
This brief was compiled by Ann Furbush. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact Ann@usresistnews.org.
Secretary of State Tillerson Rejects Anti-Propaganda Funding
Earmarked Funds
Set to Expire on September 30th, 2017
Policy Summary
Secretary of State Tillerson has refused to sign-off on $80 million of appropriated funds to combat propaganda. In 2016, the State Department created the Global Engagement Center (GEC) to fight ISIS misinformation campaigns. Its purview now includes Russian propaganda and fake news, and Congress authorized more funds in order to achieve this goal. Tillerson must approve of the $80 million before September 30th or the funds will expire and the GEC will dissolve. Tillerson has not issued a statement regarding his refusal. LEARN MORE.
Analysis
The Secretary’s feckless and irresponsible diplomacy is reaching new heights with this obstinate move. First, the GEC is a bipartisan and interagency program dedicated to protecting our domestic and international security. With increasing digital threats by our adversaries, this program is more important than ever. Instead of protecting our democracy, Tillerson is worried about Moscow’s response. Coupled with his mismanagement of the State Department, endless contradictions between him and the President, and objectively-nefarious ethics violations, Rex Tillerson is doing serious damage to an organization which needs strong leadership now more than ever. Learn more about the destruction of the State Department.
Engagement Resources
- Global Engagement Center — Read the official State Department history and description of the GEC
- Successes of the GEC — An in-depth piece by the Washington Post exploring how the GEC combats terrorism
- GEC Executive Order — The original EO issued by President Obama creating the GEC
This brief was compiled by Jacob Malinowski. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact jacob@usresistnews.org.
State Department Approves Sale of Fighter Jets to Nigeria
State Department Decision
Congress Notified on August 2, 2017
Policy Summary
On Wednesday, August 2nd, the State Department notified Congress that it approved the sale of twelve A-29 fighter jets to the Nigerian military. The jets are commonly used for counter-insurgency and reconnaissance, and the U.S. government hopes these planes will help Nigeria fight Boko Haram –an extremist group that has ravaged the country for over 15 years. The Obama administration suspended the sale over human rights abuses by Nigerian security forces as well as judicial and executive corruption. Although it is unlikely they will do so, Congress has 30 days to review and potentially block this sale. LEARN MORE.
Analysis
This approval by President Trump seems premature and shortsighted. Nigeria has a deplorable human rights record that was lambasted by both the Bush and Obama administrations. While Nigeria is taking steps towards transparency and peace, key goals have not been met. Rewarding the government with such an arms sale may discourage Nigeria from going further to improve its domestic situation. Furthermore, it’s unclear whether these twelve planes will be enough to make a difference against Boko Haram, and the lag time between approval and implementation could be fatal. The Trump administration has created a dangerous pattern of overturning previous restrictions on arms sales to questionably-motivated nations which harms our national security and human rights reputation around the globe. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Human Rights Watch — HRW works to report human rights abuses across the globe and lobby governments and corporations to do something about them.
- Amnesty International — Amnesty International conducts international research, advocates on behalf of the oppressed, and carries out campaigns to protect the vulnerable from human rights’ infringements.
- Adamawa Peace Initiative — A program through the American University of Nigeria to bring peace and develop Nigeria
This brief was compiled by Jacob Malinowski. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact jacob@usresistnews.org.
Trump Supports Bill to Cut Legal Immigration by Half
Proposed Legislation
Received support from Trump on August 2, 2017
Policy Summary
On August 2nd Trump announced his support for a Senate Bill titled: Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy Act (RAISE Act). The most devastating consequence of the RAISE Act would be a 50% reduction in legal immigration to the United States. This drop would occur as the bill would scrap the current U.S. immigration system (which relies largely on family ties), in favor of a merit based point based system. In the system, points would be awarded for things such as education, job offer, age and outstanding achievement. Click here for a more detailed look at the points system. The bill does not stop there, as it also looks to drastically cut a number of refugees entering the United States to just 50,000. And additionally, would end the Diversity Visa Program, which allows those from underserved countries to gain visas. LEARN MORE
Analysis
There is no evidence that a reduction in legal immigration would result in higher wages or more jobs for American citizens. In fact the result of this bill would be disastrous for both American workers and the economy as a whole. To see why one only needs to look at the previous times immigration was restricted. For example, following the three previous times legal immigration was severely restricted (1882, 1924 and 1964) higher wages and more jobs did materialize. To make matters worse now would be a particularly bad time to restrict immigration, as the U.S population is aging and workforce participation is at record lows. Pairing restrictions on immigration with an aging population is a toxic mix that stifles economic growth. Japan serves as a stark reminder of this, as their decision to limit low-skill immigration has left the country with slow economic growth due to a deficit of workers. This bill must be stopped as it will have disastrous consequences, for the US economy and its workers.LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Take Action with United We Dream: United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation. They organize and advocate for the dignity and fair treatment of immigrant youth and families, regardless of immigration status.
- Get involved with the American Civil Liberties Union: The ACLU is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose stated mission is “to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United
- Find a Congressional Town Hall Meeting Near You: Search by town and state or zip code to find a congressional Town Hall scheduled near you. Voice your concerns about the RAISE ACT and directly to your Representative or Senator.
This brief was compiled by William Lucier. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact william@usresistnews.org.
Trump Signs Sanctions Bill
Passed Legislation
Signed on August 2, 2017
Policy Summary
On August 2nd, President Trump signed a bipartisan effort to punish Iran, North Korea, and Russia. It imposes harsh sanctions and also requires the President to submit a report explaining any desire to remove them. Upon receiving this report, Congress would hold hearings and decide whether to allow or reject this proposal. The bill passed the Senate a few months ago (by a vote of 97-1) and originally only targeted Russia and Iran. It stalled in the House over procedure, and after clarifications and the addition of North Korea, it passed on July 25th by a vote of 419-3. With a veto-proof majority in both chambers, the bill will be implemented within the next six months. LEARN MORE.
Analysis
This sanctions bill is a mixed bag, and it is difficult to determine the efficacy of this legislation before implementation. The sanctions listed in the bill are important, especially those against the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps, a paramilitary group in Iran. It is critical to punish Russia and others for their transgressions, and the provision preventing the President from unilaterally overturning the sanctions is essential considering President Trump’s history with the Russians. Yet sanctions alone are not enough to hinder these three nations, especially when they exempt expensive energy projects. North Korea, aided by China, will not feel the effects of additional sanctions, and levying our soft power against these states will only go so far. Additionally, the European Union has threatened to respond if the United States act unilaterally without considering European energy companies. And in typical Trump style, he admonished the bill in a rare signing statement, clearly upset with the restrictions it put on unilateral actions. He was later mocked by Russian Prime Minister Medvedev on Facebook in a move that will definitely perturb the President. If the Trump administration ever clarifies its position against these hostile nations, only then will the world unify against existential threats. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Current US Sanctions — An extensive list by the Treasury Department of all US sanctions levied against foreign entities.
- US Sanction Policy — A complicated and technical explanation of sanction policy and guidelines by former Obama WH Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew
This brief was compiled by Jacob Malinowski. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact jacob@usresistnews.org.