“There’s many things we can do, but I think the experience of canceling the Olympics the last time around wasn’t very good,” said Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainThe electoral reality that the media ignores Kelly's lead widens to 10 points in Arizona Senate race: poll COVID response shows a way forward on private gun sale checks MORE (R-Ariz.), a close ally of Graham’s.

He called instead for expanding the number of people covered by legislation sanctioning Russian human rights abusers and reversing Obama's plans to scrap a missile-defense shield in Eastern Europe.

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Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez Robert (Bob) MenendezKasie Hunt to host lead-in show for MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' Senators ask for removal of tariffs on EU food, wine, spirits: report VOA visa decision could hobble Venezuela coverage MORE (D-N.J.) said that he didn’t want to get into possible U.S. responses should Snowden receive asylum, which he said would be a “direct affront” to the United States.

“Snowden still has access to very sensitive information, and so our national security is at risk as well,” Menendez said. “If a country gives him asylum, then we have to look at our relationship at that country in a whole new way.”

The U.S. and Soviet Union both boycotted the Olympics in the 1980s during the Cold War.

White House press secretary Jay Carney said Tuesday that Obama had no plans to boycott an upcoming trip to Russia in September.

“This should not be something that causes long-term problems for U.S.-Russia relations,” Carney said.

Gillibrand sexual assault bill gains support: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSuburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits The Hill's Campaign Report: 19 years since 9/11 | Dem rival to Marjorie Taylor Greene drops out | Collin Peterson faces fight of his career | Court delivers blow to ex-felon voting rights in Florida MORE’s (D-N.Y.) proposal to make major changes to the military’s judicial code picked up three new Senate supporters Tuesday.

Sen. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulSecond GOP senator to quarantine after exposure to coronavirus GOP senator to quarantine after coronavirus exposure The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump seeks to flip 'Rage' narrative; Dems block COVID-19 bill MORE (R-Ky.) was the most noteworthy new backer, as he joined Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzLoeffler calls for hearing in wake of Netflix's 'Cuties' Health care in the crosshairs with new Trump Supreme Court list 'Parks and Rec' cast members hosting special reunion to raise money for Wisconsin Democrats MORE (R-Texas) to give the bill support from conservative Tea Party Republicans.

Cruz backed Gillibrand’s proposal in committee last month.

“I see no reason why conservatives shouldn’t support this,” Paul said at a Tuesday press conference. “The only thing I think standing in the way is just sort of the status quo.”

Sen. Tom Udall Thomas (Tom) Stewart UdallLWCF modernization: Restoring the promise OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' Senate Democrats demand White House fire controversial head of public lands agency MORE (D-N.M.) also joined the bill Tuesday, and newly sworn-in Sen. Ed Markey Edward (Ed) John MarkeyMassachusetts town clerk resigns after delays to primary vote count Bogeymen of the far left deserve a place in any Biden administration Senate Democrats urge Amazon to recall, stop sales of explosive products MORE (D-Mass.) was added as a co-sponsor. Markey supported the House version of the bill.

Gillibrand’s bill, which would remove the decision to prosecute serious felony cases from the chain of command, now has 35 co-sponsors.

But the measure is opposed by military leaders, as well as senior leaders on the Senate Armed Services Committee, including Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.).

Gillibrand plans to bring her bill to the floor as an amendment to the Defense authorization bill.

Rules Committee takes up Defense appropriations: The Defense Appropriations bill is going before the Rules Committee on Wednesday, where House Republicans might restrict the amendments that will get votes on the House floor.

The panel already indicated it could limit the number of amendments to the bill, which is being done out of concern for amendments on the National Security Agency, Syria and Egypt.

The bill has been considered under an open rule in recent years under which any amendment can be considered.

Rep. Justin Amash Justin AmashOn The Trail: How Nancy Pelosi could improbably become president History is on Edward Snowden's side: Now it's time to give him a full pardon Trump says he's considering Snowden pardon MORE (R-Mich.) vowed this week to bring forward amendments to defund the NSA’s Internet and phone surveillance activities. He submitted two similar amendments to the bill to restrict funding on the programs, according to the list posted on the Rules Committee website.

Amash was also a co-sponsor of two amendments from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) to prevent military funds being used in Syria or Egypt without approval from Congress first.

Defense appropriations amendments by the numbers: In all, there were 151 amendments submitted to the Defense appropriations bill. A number of them could be exactly what House GOP leaders are hoping to avoid having votes on. Here’s the breakdown:



• Eight amendments involved restricting funds to Syria without congressional action or limiting military action and boots on the ground. Three were bipartisan amendments, two were Republican and one was Democratic.



• Three amendments, all Republican, dealt with Egypt. They included one to restrict U.S. military involvement and two that placed limits on providing U.S. military equipment to Egypt.



• Amash’s two National Security Agency amendments appear to be the only ones that deal with the NSA’s surveillance programs. They are both co-sponsored by Reps. John Conyers (D-Mich.), Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and Massie.





In Case You Missed It:

— Graham: US should consider Olympics boycott



— White House isn’t taking sides on Gillibrand bill

— Levin ‘troubled’ by Clapper NSA testimony



— Obama urged to nix North Korean talks





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