Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., believes First Lady Melania Trump could hold the key to getting the White House behind a sweeping congressional sanctions package targeting Russia.
“I think the first lady is our secret weapon,” Blumenthal said Tuesday, signaling her potential influence as lawmakers consider advancing the long-awaited Russia sanctions bill.
The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 has broad bipartisan backing, with 84 cosponsors in the Senate and 113 in the House. If passed, the legislation would grant the president sweeping powers to impose punishing economic measures on Russia, including blocking energy sales, freezing visas, halting investment listings, and imposing tariffs of up to 500%. The sanctions would take effect if Russia is found to be acting in bad faith in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Blumenthal coauthored the bill with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and says the moment is right to act — even though former President Trump signaled last week that “it might not be perfect timing” for new sanctions.
Blumenthal believes Melania Trump could change his mind. The first lady recently made headlines after engaging directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin in efforts to reunite Ukrainian children abducted during the war. Her involvement helped bring home eight Ukrainian children, a move that has drawn global attention.
“She is obviously deeply disturbed about the kidnapping of children, which is emblematic of war criminality,” Blumenthal said. “I see the need to move our bill as a signal to prove that you can’t slow-walk us and mock us indefinitely.”
Blumenthal added, “Putin understands only strength and force — military and economic. I’m very hopeful [Trump] will see the urgency of now.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., recently said the sanctions bill may be brought to a vote in the next 30 days, though he hinted some revisions could be made before final consideration. He did not specify which sections might change.
The White House has not yet indicated whether Trump will ultimately support the bill.
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Just because she got Putin to release some of the kids he was holding doesn\’t mean she is a \”secret weapon\”. Whenever something good happens , the press runs with it. Most is wishful thinking!