Former Secretary of State John Kerry ripped America's current political leaders on Sunday, describing them as “so-called leaders” who are “operating in a fact-less world.” 
 
 Kerry, appearing on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” said today's political climate contrasts with leadership seen under the late Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainOvernight Defense: Officials rush to deny writing anonymous op-ed | Lawmakers offer measure on naming NATO headquarters after McCain | US, India sign deal on sharing intel Democrats up the ante in Kavanaugh hearings Lawmakers introduce resolution to back naming NATO headquarters after McCain MORE (R-Ariz.) who died last week after being diagnosed with brain cancer. 
 
 "You work to implement our democracy by reaching out across the aisle, by building relationships, by believing in the better angels of American value system. And I think John McCain did that. I did that, others have done that,” Kerry said. 
 
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 “But right now we have a culture divide that has been accentuated by political so-called leaders,” he continued. “And what they're doing is they're operating in a fact-less world.” 
 
 Kerry, who was the Democratic presidential nominee in 2004, has been a frequent critic of President Trump Donald John TrumpTrump: Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was ridiculed by the 'fake news' Trump thanks North Korea’s Kim for promise to denuclearize during his tenure No NFL players visibly kneel during season opener MORE and his administration. 
 
 Kerry recently has criticized Trump over his controversial summit in Helsinki with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his comments slamming NATO allies and his decision to revoke former CIA Director John Brennan’s security clearance. 
 
 Trump, in turn, has taken shots at Kerry. 
 
 In May, the president lashed out at Kerry on Twitter following reports that the former secretary of State met Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in an attempt to save the Iran nuclear deal. 
 
 “The United States does not need John Kerry John Forbes KerryJohn Kerry: Anonymous NYT op-ed means ‘we don't really have a president’ Kerry: US facing a ‘genuine constitutional crisis’ Election Countdown: Fallout from Massachusetts stunner | In Delaware, Carper looks to avoid next progressive upset | Dem 2020 primary already in full swing | How a Dem ex-governor hopes to take red-state Tennessee | GOP challengers hit Dems over tax votes MORE’s possibly illegal Shadow Diplomacy on the very badly negotiated Iran Deal,” the president wrote on Twitter. “He was the one that created this MESS in the first place!” 
 
 When pressed Sunday about the tweet, Kerry responded, “America and our democracy are more thoughtful than dishonest tweets.” ||||| Washington (CNN) Two former friends of Sen. John McCain say his daughter Meghan McCain's pointed criticism of President Donald Trump in her speech at the Arizona Republican's memorial service on Saturday reflected the character of her late father. 
 
 "She is her father's daughter," South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union." "If you say something bad about her dad, you will know it, whether you're the janitor or the President of the United States. She is grieving for the father she adored. I think most Americans understand that." 
 
 Former independent Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, who joined the program with Graham, said he was a "proud uncle" watching McCain's speech at the memorial service. 
 
 "She was direct ... the way John was," Lieberman said. 
 
 In her remarks on Saturday, McCain contrasted her father's legacy with Trump's rhetoric, saying, "The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again, because America was always great." 
 
 The comment received applause at the service and highlighted the broad differences between McCain and Trump, who was not invited to attend. 
 
 Graham and Lieberman were two of McCain's top allies in the Senate and his close friends -- they were often called the "three amigos" -- and their praise for his daughter came after she posted a photo of herself with them online reflecting that bond, calling the two senators her "uncles forever." 
 
 During Sunday's interview, the pair looked back fondly on their time with McCain and their travels together. 
 
 "His own attitude, the way he faced death with characteristic fearlessness and perspective, really comforted me," Lieberman said. "But you know, we're going to miss him. He's irreplaceable." 
 
 Graham, who offered an emotional tribute to McCain last week on the Senate floor, predicted McCain would be remembered as a cornerstone in Senate history. 
 
 "John loved the Senate," Graham said. "He was a man of the Senate. He loved the institution. When you write the history of the Senate, he's going to be in the first chapter." 
 
 Later in the interview, Graham said the responses to McCain's death showed the appreciation people had for military service, and he outlined a "formula" for those who wanted to engage in public service. 
 
 "Work hard, know what you're talking about, and people will listen to you," Graham said. "Pick a cause worthy of a good fight. Fight hard, and be willing to forgive, and ask for forgiveness. And above all else, when you make a mistake, admit it, repeat, repeat until you die, and the next thing you know, the nation will hold you up." ||||| The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly passed legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia and giving Congress the ability to block President Trump from lifting current penalties. 
 
 Senators voted 98-2 on the bill, which also includes new sanctions targeting Iran’s ballistic missile development, support for terrorism, transfer of weapons and human rights violations. Sens. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulRNC spokeswoman: ObamaCare repeal possible if GOP keeps House The Hill's Morning Report — Sponsored by Better Medicare Alliance — Trump seeks `home run’ candidate to succeed Justice Kennedy Paul says police arrested man who threatened to kill him and his family MORE (R-Ky.) and Bernie Sanders Bernard (Bernie) SandersOvernight Energy: Pruitt out as EPA chief | Former aides describe culture of fear | GOP lawmakers relieved by Pruitt's exit Election Countdown: Calls to abolish ICE test Dem candidates | First round of House GOP 'Young Guns' | How Tester is handling Trump's Montana visit | Dem candidate won't back Schumer as leader | Super PACs ramp up Missouri ad buys Bernie Sanders: Pruitt was 'the worst EPA administrator in the history of the agency' MORE (I-Vt.) voted against the measure. 
 
 The legislation marks the Senate’s most significant check on the Trump administration’s foreign policy, which has flirted with lifting sanctions in an bid to entice Moscow into an agreement. 
 
 The bill now heads to the House, where it faces an uncertain future amid signs of pushback from the administration. 
 
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 Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appeared to use a House Foreign Affairs hearing this week to telegraph concerns about the bill, warning lawmakers against undercutting “constructive dialogue” with Russia. 
 
 "I would urge Congress to ensure any legislation allows the president to have the flexibility to adjust sanctions," he told lawmakers. 
 
 Those comments appeared to have little impact in the Senate, where the legislation was expected to get wide bipartisan support after GOP Sens. Mike Lee Michael (Mike) Shumway LeePence met with several Supreme Court hopefuls: report The Hill's Morning Report — Sponsored by Better Medicare Alliance — Trump seeks `home run’ candidate to succeed Justice Kennedy Matt Schlapp: With Brett Kavanaugh, America will have a bold, brilliant Supreme Court justice MORE (Utah) and Rand Paul (Ky.) were the only lawmakers to oppose including the Russia sanctions deal in the legislation. 
 
 The overwhelming support for new Russia sanctions comes as four congressional committees are investigating Russia’s election interference, including potential ties between the Trump campaign and Moscow. Special counsel Robert Mueller, who oversees the FBI’s probe, is also looking into whether Trump tried to obstruct justice, according to The Washington Post. 
 
 Republicans for months held off on backing tougher Russia penalties giving the administration space to try to improve relations with the Kremlin despite bipartisan skepticism in Congress. 
 
 But GOP senators pointed to lingering frustration over election interference and few signs of progress in Syria, where Moscow supports President Bashar Assad, as factors in their push to pass new penalties. 
 
 “The United States needs to send a strong message to Vladimir Putin and any other aggressor that we will not tolerate attacks on our democracy. There’s no greater threat to our freedoms than attacks on our ability to choose our own leaders free from foreign interference,” said Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainTrump bashes 'liberal Democrat Jon Tester' in Montana: He says one thing and does another GOP Senate candidate’s husband spreads conspiracy theories online: report RNC spokeswoman: ObamaCare repeal possible if GOP keeps House MORE (R-Ariz.). 
 
 The Russia legislation would impose new sanctions on any individuals tied to "malicious cyber activity," supply weapons to Assad's government or are tied to Russia's intelligence and defense sectors. 
 
 It would also give Congress 30 days — or 60 days around the August recess — to review and potentially block Trump from lifting or relaxing Russia sanctions, codify the sanctions on Russia imposed by executive order by the Obama administration, and allow the Trump administration to impose new sanctions on sectors of the Russian economy. 
 
 Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) added that the restrictions on lifting sanctions are more closely tied to lawmakers reasserting their authority on sanctions that Congress implements than in imposing a check on Trump. 
 
 “This is not a hostile amendment. This is an amendment saying we've learned our lesson as a body. We should actually apply this. This is not a partisan issue. Whether it is a Republican or Democrat president is irrelevant in this issue. If Congress creates sanctions, Congress should not release the authority to make decisions on and off,” he said from the Senate floor. 
 
 Speaker Paul Ryan Paul Davis RyanFourth Ohio State wrestler claims Jordan knew about sexual abuse Election Countdown: Calls to abolish ICE test Dem candidates | First round of House GOP 'Young Guns' | How Tester is handling Trump's Montana visit | Dem candidate won't back Schumer as leader | Super PACs ramp up Missouri ad buys Ohio State sex scandal complicates Jordan’s possible Speaker bid MORE (R-Wis.) hasn’t publicly commented on the bill, but has previously voiced support for stronger sanctions and warned Trump earlier this year against lifting penalties against Moscow. 
 
 Sen. Bob Corker Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerAmerica stands to lose as China places bets on developing world The Hill's Morning Report — Sponsored by Better Medicare Alliance — Trump girds for battle as Supreme Court announcement nears Overnight Defense: Pompeo to visit Pyongyang July 5 | White House says US, Russia 'agree to disagree' on Crimea | Pentagon denies Germany troop audit tied to Trump MORE (R-Tenn.), the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, also argued this week that the House has shown an appetite for passing new Russia sanctions bill. The lower chamber passed legislation late last year that would have targeted Russia and Iran for their backing of Assad. 
 
 Thursday’s vote capped off roughly a week and a half of negotiations over attaching new Russia penalties to the Iran sanctions bill, which already had brought bipartisan support. 
 
 A swath of lawmakers—including leadership, Corker, Sen. Mike Crapo Michael (Mike) Dean CrapoGOP senators introduce bill to prevent family separations at border All the times Horowitz contradicted Wray — but nobody seemed to notice Senate Dems want watchdog to probe if SEC official tried to pressure bank on gun policies MORE (R-Idaho), top Democrats on the Senate Banking and Foreign Relations committees and Sens. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamOvernight Energy: Pruitt out as EPA chief | Former aides describe culture of fear | GOP lawmakers relieved by Pruitt's exit Trump: 'No final straw' on Pruitt GOP lawmakers relieved with Pruitt’s departure MORE (R-S.C.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jeanne Shaheen Cynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne ShaheenFemale lawmakers, candidates must be the voice for women worldwide GOP lawmakers plan official visit to Russia later this week Dem senator: If Nielsen doesn't reunite families, 'she should resign' MORE (D-N.H.)—were locked in negotiations for roughly a week trying to hash out an agreement. 
 
 Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Charles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerPelosi slams Trump's 'despicable attacks' on Waters at rally Trump bashes 'liberal Democrat Jon Tester' in Montana: He says one thing and does another Election Countdown: Calls to abolish ICE test Dem candidates | First round of House GOP 'Young Guns' | How Tester is handling Trump's Montana visit | Dem candidate won't back Schumer as leader | Super PACs ramp up Missouri ad buys MORE (D-N.Y.) praised the legislation ahead of the vote, noting it would send a signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin and show lawmakers can still work together. 
 
 “The final result is a very good one for our country, because… the U.S. Senate said to Mr. Putin in no uncertain terms, that when he violates the international norms and interferes with our election, he will not escape reproach,” Schumer said. 
 
 In addition to passing new Russia penalties, the Senate also voted to include a bipartisan amendment on Thursday morning that stressed the Senate’s support for NATO and the Article Five requirement that member states defend each other if one of them is attacked. 
 
 The Trump administration's warmer tone toward Moscow and skepticism of NATO has sparked bipartisan backlash on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers are deeply skeptical of Putin. 
 
 Trump omitted committing the NATO’s “Article Five” during a meeting in Brussels late last month, before pledging to support the requirement during a press conference last week with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis. 
 
 The administration has gone back-and-forth over lifting sanctions on Russia. 
 
 Gary Cohn, director of the White House National Economic Council, said last month that the administration wouldn't weaken Russia sanctions, adding that, "If anything, we could probably look to get tougher." 
 
 Cohn's comments were a clarification of earlier remarks in which he said the president didn't have a position on Russia sanctions. 
 
 The administration has also sparked concern over reports that it could hand back two diplomatic compounds in the United States to Russia.
– On CNN's State of the Union, Sen. Lindsey Graham praised Meghan McCain as "her father's daughter" following her headline-grabbing eulogy to her dad that many said appeared to bash President Trump. Former Secretary of State John Kerry appeared on Face The Nation and bashed the country's current leadership while contrasting it to the late Sen. John McCain on the day of the frequently bipartisan Republican's burial. "Right now we have a culture divide that has been accentuated by political so-called leaders,” Kerry said, per the Hill. “They're operating in a fact-less world." Ohio Gov. John Kasich also appeared on Face The Nation and said that, should he choose to run for president in 2020, it would be as a Republican. Over on This Week, former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta urged Dems to hold off on impeachment, per Politico.