Trump’s Spending Bill Veto Threat Is A Freak Out Over New Russia Sanctions

Trump is threatening to veto the government spending bill because it doesn’t contain funding for his wall, but that is not the real reason why he hates this bill. The omnibus also contains new stronger sanctions against Russia.

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According to The Daily Beast, “The legislation, which Trump was always expected to sign, includes restrictions that bar many federal agencies from engaging financially or otherwise with the Kremlin and its backers on a number of fronts. Lawmakers from both parties viewed those provisions and others as an opportunity to enshrine new punishments against Vladimir Putin’s regime at a time when the Trump administration has taken heat for its refusal to immediately and fully implement mandatory sanctions and other punishments.”

After finding out about the new Russia sanctions, Trump suddenly is ready to veto a government funding bill.  This is not a coincidence. Trump blew up and screamed at Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) after the Senate passed the first Russia sanctions bill.  For reasons that are likely only known to Trump and potentially Special Counsel Robert Mueller, the president is opposed to any sanctions against Russia for their interference in the 2016 election. It has long been speculated that Trump made a deal with Russia to remove sanctions in exchange for help in winning the election.

Trump’s veto threat has nothing to do with DREAMERS or the wall, which Mexico is supposed to be paying for. It is all about Russia. Before the Russia sanctions were publicly known, Trump was ready to sign the bill. After the sanctions, Trump is now threatening a veto.

Donald Trump’s veto threat is worthless because he is scheduled to fly to his private club in Florida for the weekend. Trump has no intention of shutting the government down, but if he would veto the bill, the problem is Russia sanctions, not DACA.

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Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association