Trump slow to implement Russia, Iran,
North Korea sanctions law: senators
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[September 30, 2017]
By Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two months after
signing it, President Donald Trump has not begun enforcing a law
imposing new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, Senators John
McCain and Ben Cardin said in a letter seen by Reuters on Friday.
Also, with just two days to go, his administration has not provided
information related to Russia's defense and intelligence sectors
required under the measure by Sunday, they said.
White House officials did not respond to a request for comment on the
letter from McCain, the Republican chairman of the Armed Services
Committee, and Cardin, the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations
Committee.
Later on Friday, the White House issued a presidential memorandum taking
the first step toward implementation by designating different agencies
to start the process putting the law into effect.
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Trump grudgingly signed the "Countering America's Adversaries Through
Sanctions Act" on Aug. 2 after Congress overwhelmingly approved the
measure despite Trump's reservations about how it might affect his
desire for improved relations with Moscow.
The White House had hedged for weeks, as the legislation worked its way
through Congress, over whether the president would sign it or use his
veto power. Although his fellow Republicans control Congress, it passed
both the Senate and House of Representatives by near-unanimous margins
large enough to override a veto.
Trump's opposition to the law had raised questions about how
enthusiastically his administration would enforce it.
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![](../images/093017pics/news_w41.jpg)
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) looks on during a press conference about
his resistance to the so-called "Skinny Repeal" of the Affordable
Care Act on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 27, 2017.
REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein
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"Congress’ swift and united action, and your signature, sent a
strong message to our allies and adversaries alike, and particularly
to those such as Russia, who have sought to undermine our
democracy," said the letter, dated Thursday.
"Now, as critical deadlines are approaching, it is imperative that
your Administration implement the law to its fullest extent to
uphold and protect American interests," it said.
The law imposed stiff new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea
over issues including Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 U.S.
election, which Russia denies, as well as Iran's ballistic missiles
program and North Korea's nuclear weapons development.
The administration in particular opposed a provision that would not
let Trump, or any president, ease or lift sanctions on Russia
without Congress' approval.
The letter also noted the Oct. 1 deadline for the administration to
issue "regulations or other guidance" to identify anyone who is
operating on behalf of the Russian defense and intelligence sectors
for potential sanctions.
(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and
James Dalgleish)
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