Democrats scramble to sink Cruz’s plan to impose sanctions over Nord Stream
Democrats are quietly drafting an alternative plan — led by Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat — and are encouraging their members to support that Democratic plan instead of Cruz’s. That plan would impose sanctions on Russia, but only if it invaded Ukraine, according to Democratic senators.
It’s unclear if the administration backs the Menendez measure — and all the precise details of the bill — but it’s been the subject of growing talks among Democrats, including in a private meeting in the Senate on Monday night with senior State Department official Victoria Nuland.
“I think it’s much stronger,” Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin said of the Menendez measure, noting that he included language dealing with Baltic region in the plan. “It’s a strong message to Putin — much better than the Cruz approach.”
Menendez told reporters Monday that his plan is the “mother of all sanctions legislation” that would impose sanctions against individuals and industry sectors “if Russia invaded Ukraine.”
Cruz forced a concession from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for a vote by this week on his Nord Stream 2 bill after holding up swift confirmation of dozens of Biden’s nominees to be ambassadors and to fill other high-level State Department posts. If it were to pass the Senate, it’s unclear if it would be brought up by the Democratic-controlled House.
Still, some Democrats are weighing backing the plan, putting the bill closer to the 60 votes needed for passage.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Nevada Democrat facing reelection in the fall, told CNN on Monday she backs the Cruz measure.
“I’m going to be consistent,” the Nevada Democrat said. “Listen, I think we need to be strong in support of Ukraine against Russian interference and aggression quite honestly. I’ve been consistent in my positions all along.”
Sen. Joe Manchin, the moderate West Virginia Democrat, said Monday he didn’t know if he’d back the Cruz plan. “That’s what I’m going to get educated on,” when asked if he backs the measure.
Cruz believes the newly constructed 750-mile pipeline, which is not yet operating, would empower Putin and allow him to hold dangerous leverage over Europe by controlling the flow of much-needed natural gas there. The Ukrainian government has come out in support of his plan.
But the Biden administration, which has had shifting positions on the need for sanctions against the project, is now arguing the West will have better leverage over threatened Russian aggression against Ukraine if the pipeline is operating because Germany would be able to turn it off if Russia actually invades its neighbor.
“Some may see Nord Stream 2 as leverage that Russia…
Read More: Democrats scramble to sink Cruz’s plan to impose sanctions over Nord Stream