RSC's Nunn, Pfluger, and National Security Task Force Members Unveil Russia Sanctions Redlines to Bolster President Trump’s Leverage

July 17, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republican Study Committee (RSC) National Security Task Force Chair Zach Nunn (IA-03) and RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11) sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune urging that the two leaders ensure that any future Russia sanctions package passed by Congress deals a crushing blow to the Kremlin while ensuring President Trump has the flexibility and leverage he needs to achieve his Peace Through Strength agenda.

"In less than a year since returning to the Oval Office, President Trump has once again proven his unparalleled ability to broker peace and deliver stability to the war torn corners of the world," said RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11). "His strategic meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte underscored his commitment to strong alliances and peace through strength — we must stand with the President as he works to secure peace and uphold American strength abroad. If a Russia sanctions package is to be considered by Congress, Republicans must ensure that it is crafted to give the President the tools he needs to degrade the Russian war machine with the flexibility he rightfully deserves to maximize his leverage."

“President Trump just put Putin on the clock. Now it’s up to Congress to deliver the tools needed to hit the Russian war machine if he refuses to come to the table,” said RSC National Security Task Force Chair Zach Nunn (IA-03). "The sanctions package we’ve outlined gives the President real leverage to protect U.S. interests, support our allies, and force Russia to end its aggression."

The letter, signed by Task Force Chair Nunn (IA-03), Chairman Pfluger (TX-11), Rep. Fallon (TX-04), Rep. Ellzey (TX-06), Rep. Wilson (SC-02), Rep. McCormick (GA-07), Rep. Goldman (TX-12), and Rep. Messmer (IN-08) urges Speaker Johnson and Leader Thune to ensure any Russia sanctions package that is considered before Congress is thoughtfully crafted, and that strengthens President Trump's negotiating hand by transitioning from targeted, conduct-based sanctions to a comprehensive, economy-wide sanctions regime. Specifically, the letter calls for Congress to adopt a sanctions package that:

Provides flexibility to empower President Trump and his team to wield future sanctions as a strategic tool for negotiation and leverage.
Implements a total freeze on all Russian government assets and transactions in the U.S., extending punishing criminal and civil penalties for sanctions violations to foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies, mirroring the ironclad measures applied to rogue regimes like Iran and Cuba.
Secondary sanctions on Chinese and North Korea entities supporting the Russia war effort directly or indirectly through Belarus.
Sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet, used by the Russians to evade sanctions.
A clear acknowledgment of the failures of the Obama Administration and Biden Administration in deterring and preventing the Russians from ultimately launching a full-scale ground war in Urkaine.

The letter is the latest in the RSC's longstanding efforts to craft a strong, conservative foreign policy agenda that puts America First and promotes our long term national security. Earlier this year, the RSC unveiled a similar initiative, the Maximum Pressure Campaign, to provide the Trump Administration with a full arsenal of tools to erode Iran's nuclear capabilities.