Maine Congressman Jared Golden and another Democrat crossed party lines this week to help give Republicans the votes they needed to advance a Russian sanctions bill.
It was the second time this month that Golden — a Democrat representing Maine’s 2nd Congressional District — and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington broke ranks with their party on procedural votes that allowed a package of mostly Republican-backed bills to move forward.
In the first instance, Golden said he voted with Republicans on the procedural rule because it contained a bill that he co-authored that will delay new federal gear requirements on lobstermen to protect endangered whales. Golden said at the time that he was voting to support his constituents. That rule passed on a vote of 210-208, prompting House Democratic leaders to accuse Golden and Gluesenkamp of committing a “serious breach of trust.”
Tuesday’s 214-211 vote opened the door for a final House vote on a bill that will give President Donald Trump new authority to slap tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil. The bill is named after the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who had been leading the fight over Russian sanctions before his sudden death this summer.
Some Democrats oppose granting Trump any additional powers to levy tariffs. Golden, who is not seeking reelection, is among the few Democrats who have supported aspects of Trump’s global tariffs, although he has called on Congress to reassert its authority on levying tariffs.
In this case, Golden said he supports hitting Russia with additional sanctions over its war against Ukraine.
“It’s a bill that will go a long way toward supporting our allies in Ukraine, who I have supported ever since Putin’s invasion began,” Golden said in a statement. “This is our last week in session until November. The stakes for Ukraine are too high to let this good bill — which already passed the Senate with overwhelming, bipartisan support — die as a result of a procedural vote.”
The bill was expected to receive a final vote in the House as early as Wednesday afternoon. It passed the Senate on a vote of 86-11, with both of Maine’s senators — Republican Susan Collins and independent Angus King — voting in support of the measure.
This story appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.