Senate leaders send Putin symbolic warning shot amid invasion fears

Senate leadership and top committee members are sending Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinSenators eye Plan B amid Russia sanctions stalemate American unity is key to a Europe whole and free Biden administration considering B loan guarantee to Ukraine MORE a symbolic warning shot, saying he will “pay a severe price” if he escalates his aggression toward Ukraine and throwing their support behind Kyiv.  

The statement from Senate Majority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerAmerican unity is key to a Europe whole and free Anxious Democrats want Biden to speed up vetting for Supreme Court pick Democratic Senate debates merits of passion vs. pragmatism MORE (D-N.Y.), Minority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell calls out ‘maskless’ Super Bowl celebs as school mandates remain American unity is key to a Europe whole and free Manchin clarifies: He’d oppose second high court nominee right before presidential election MORE (R-Ky.), Senate whips Dick DurbinDick DurbinBiden’s FDA pick clears key Senate hurdle The Hill’s Morning Report – World poised for war This week: Confirmation fight over Biden’s FDA nominee comes to a head MORE (D-Ill.) and John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneMcConnell-McCarthy split heading into November  Stock trading ban gains steam but splits Senate GOP Questions loom over how to form congressional staff union MORE (R-S.D.), and top members of the Armed Services, Banking, Foreign Relations, Armed Services and Intelligence committees comes as senators remain eager to show their support for Ukraine but haven’t been able to reach an agreement on a sanctions bill. 

“Should Vladimir Putin further escalate his ongoing assault on Ukraine’s sovereignty, Russia must be made to pay a severe price. We are prepared to fully support the immediate imposition of strong, robust, and effective sanctions on Russia, as well as tough restrictions and controls on exports to Russia, and we will urge our allies and partners in Europe and around the world to join us,” the senators said. 

“The international order established in the aftermath of World War II has not faced such a grave threat since the Cold War. This order, which protects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, has enabled an unprecedented era of peace and prosperity for the United States and its allies. Unfortunately, Russia is threatening this system, and the United States is prepared to meet this challenge with bipartisan and unified resolve,” they added.  

The group of senators also reiterated their support for Ukraine including economic, security and humanitarian assistance. 

“Make no mistake: the United States Senate stands with the people of Ukraine and our NATO allies and partners most threatened by Russian aggression. Our troops stand ready to reinforce the defenses of our Eastern European allies and we are prepared to respond decisively to Russian efforts to undermine the security of the United States at home and abroad. We also call upon our allies to join us in bolstering NATO’s eastern flank,” they added. 

The statement comes as hopes dim of passing sanctions legislation before senators leave town as soon as Thursday for a one-week break. 

Senate Republicans — led by Sen. Jim RischJames Elroy RischRussia sanctions talks at ‘impasse’ as time runs short ‘Sobering and shocking’: Senators raise red flags after Iran briefing McConnell signals skepticism on Russia sanctions legislation MORE (Idaho), the top Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee — introduced their own sanctions bill on Tuesday, with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob MenendezRobert (Bob) MenendezSenators eye Plan B amid Russia sanctions stalemate To counter Russian gas, look to the Eastern Mediterranean Why the debate over SALT deductions matters MORE (D-N.J.) accusing Republicans of choosing “partisan posturing instead of working to reach consensus on a comprehensive bipartisan proposal that would demonstrate a united front to deter Putin from re-invading Ukraine.” 

Though Risch and Menendez were optimistic they could reach an agreement on financial penalties on Moscow they hit roadblocks amid deep disagreements on secondary sanctions related to Russia’s banks, which could have broader impacts across Europe, and what to do about Nord Stream 2, the pipeline that would carry natural gas from Russia to Germany.

There was talk late last week of having votes on competing proposals, with Democrats offering a measure that was closer to their negotiating stance and Republicans offering a bill that reflected their priorities. But lawmakers were also wary of bringing up a bill if it would just fail because it could send a signal to Russia and European allies that the Congress is divided on its support for Ukraine and its opposition to Russia’s recent aggression. 

Instead, senators have focused on shrinking their legislative ambitions, in effort to do something bipartisan on Ukraine. In addition to the statement, senators are also discussing a non-binding sense of the Senate resolution.  

“It would be nice if we could issue a strong statement representing the views of the Congress on both sides in support of Ukraine and in opposition to what Russia’s trying to do there,” Thune said.

Sens. Jack ReedJack ReedSenators introduce a resolution honoring Tom Brady’s career Defense bill sets up next fight over military justice  Ukraine president, US lawmakers huddle amid tensions with Russia MORE (D-R.I.), Jim InhofeJames (Jim) Mountain InhofeRussia crisis exacerbates US political divisions Overnight Defense & National Security — White House raises new alarm over Russia Biden sparks confusion, cleanup on Russia-Ukraine remarks MORE (R-Okla.), Sherrod BrownSherrod Campbell BrownStock ban faces steep hurdles despite growing support  Questions loom over how to form congressional staff union Biden Fed picks get boost from dozens of economists MORE (D-Ohio), Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyLate-night reports suggest CIA collecting more data on Americans Conservatives are outraged that Sarah Bloom Raskin actually believes in capitalism Meet Washington’s most ineffective senator: Joe Manchin MORE (R-Pa.), Menendez, Risch, Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerSenators eye Plan B amid Russia sanctions stalemate Democrats see inflation as growing problem for their agenda   The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – More blue states let mask mandates expire MORE (D-Va.) and Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioRubio on White House records at Mar-a-Lago: ‘It’s not a crime, I don’t believe’ Josh Mandel tests Ohio’s appetite for red meat rhetoric Invent here, manufacture here MORE (R-Fla.) also signed onto the joint statement.