Republicans Sanctions on a Russian Gas Pipeline are defeated by Democrats

On Thursday, Senate Democrats blocked a bill supported by Texas Republicans Ted Cruz that would have levied sanctions on companies participating in a Russian natural gas pipeline to Germany, calling it a GOP political ploy that would have hurt relations with European partners.Cruz’s measure accrediting Nord Stream 2 pipeline operators was defeated by a vote of 55-44, falling short of the 60 required to pass.

Before the vote, Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., warned Putin “can smell the vulnerability.” “Putting a stop to this pipeline should be a bipartisan issue.””This law isn’t going to assist Ukraine,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. “It’s meant to hurt,” Biden says.Republicans and a few Democrats voted in favor of the bill. Before it can be placed into operation, it must get final clearance from German and European officials.

Ukraine’s desire for stronger relations with the West has enraged Putin. Putin maintains that he has no intention of invading, but he is seeking concessions from NATO that the allies believe they would never provide.The Biden administration and its legislative supporters claim that Cruz’s plan would have hurt ties with Germany, which, like the rest of Europe, relies on imported natural gas.

If Russia invades, Democrats have presented legislation to target Putin, his senior civilian and military leaders, and Russian financial organizations. Despite Germany’s new government’s public assurances, Secretary of State Antony Blinken warns that if Russia moves soldiers into eastern Ukraine, Germany will almost certainly halt the pipeline’s functioning.