MONTGOMERY, Ala. — U.S. Sen. Katie Britt said she wants the United States to use new sanctions against Russia that President Donald Trump waived on Friday, just two days before they were set to take effect.
The Alabama Republican made the comments during a bipartisan conversation Monday with Democratic Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont as part of the Senate Project at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute. Fox News’ Martha McCallum moderated the event.
“I want to see those used,” Britt, R-Ala., said, referring to the sanctions. “I want to see us use the economic firepower that we have. I want to see that peace through strength. I believe that Russia is at the weakest point that they have been in this war.”
Britt has been a major advocate for the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which Trump signed into law last month after it cleared Congress. But with an abrupt executive order, the president quickly halted the sanctions meant to cripple the Russian economy in the wake of its war against Ukraine.
Trump also recently announced a deal with Russia to allow it to export diesel to the United States and the global marketplace, which, like the waiving of the sanctions, spurred strong bipartisan pushback from lawmakers.
Though Britt has been careful not to denounce Trump’s actions as forcefully as some of her Republican colleagues, she has stood firm in her support of issuing the sanctions against Russia and tariffing countries that are the largest purchasers of Russian oil.
“I believe we are at that moment where, if we are able to utilize those tools, we can drive Putin to the table, driving him to a table, ending this war,” Britt said. “Ultimately, ending this war not only means that we save countless lives, which I know President Trump wants to do, but I also believe ending this war will have a lasting impact on energy prices as well.”
But she stopped short of backing efforts to make the sanctions mandatory.
“I absolutely want to make sure that they are utilized, but I think (Trump) has to have that flexibility,” Britt said.
Her response stood in contrast to Welch, who said Congress should have made the sanctions mandatory under the recently enacted legislation. He said he was “appalled” and “shocked” by Trump’s decision to waive the sanctions.
“I mean, essentially what you’re seeing is the president taking Putin’s side instead of Ukraine’s side,” Welch said. “We should have made the sanctions mandatory, not discretionary. So, what you’re seeing is us selling out Ukraine, in embracing Putin, it’s a dead end. It’s not going to work.”
Midterms
With about two weeks until the election, McCallum also asked both senators how they’re viewing the upcoming midterms. Despite Trump’s low approval ratings nationwide and the economic headwinds facing Republicans this cycle, Britt expressed optimism.
“I’m hopeful for a big night on November 3,” Britt said.
When it comes to talking about the GOP handling the economy, the Alabama Republican said the party needs to highlight its “achievements” over these past almost two years, such as securing the border and lowering crime, and what they still can do to address affordability concerns.
“Republicans are the ones that want not just energy independence, but energy (dominance), knowing that, if we have that, being able to drive those prices down lower and lower over time will be — will be essential and obviously be doable,” Britt said.
She also mentioned the prospects of permitting reform, which is expected to be taken up in the lame duck session.
On the other side, Welch said if Democrats end up winning the majority in Congress, it can be mostly attributed to a referendum on Trump
“This isn’t about us winning. It’s about Trump losing favor among the American people,” Welch said. “It gives us an opportunity to earn trust. And in order to earn trust, we have to make the institution work better.”
To address the high prices affecting Americans after the midterms, Welch said it would take both parties working together in Congress.
“We won’t be able to solve those things if we just do it alone, OK? So there’s got to be some humility on the part of the Democrats if — as I hope we will be, successful,” he said.
You can watch the full conversation here.