Senate to Consider New Sanctions on Russia

The Senate will consider legislation this week to put an additional layer of sanctions on Russia for the actions it’s taken in Ukraine, Syria and allegations it meddled in the 2016 election. On the Senate floor Wednesday Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that Russian sanctions are likely to be taken up and attached to a bill that hefts new sanctions on Iran. It’s still unclear exactly what the new round of sanctions will look like, but here are the three most popular bills party leaders have to choose from.

• Sens. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) are pushing an effort in the Banking Committee that would toughen existing sanctions that were signed through executive orders. They also seek to go after bad actors in Russia, including anyone who is trying to evade current sanctions, corrupt leaders, those giving weapons to the Syrian regime and anyone in Russia involved with cybercrimes against the U.S. They also want to extend existing sanctions to new sectors of Russia’s economy, including its mining, banking and railway industries.

• Another proposal being discussed, The Countering Russian Hostilities Act of 2017, is being offered by Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Ben Cardin (D-MD). It would prohibit anyone involved in cybercrimes against the U.S. from obtaining a visa, while also freezing their assets. It would also extend sanctions to not just the bad actors themselves, but also to anyone inside or outside the Russian government who is found to have supported those involved in cyber intrusion. It also puts sanctions on Russia’s defense and intelligence industries.

• The third most popular sanctions bill floating around the Senate is the Russia Sanctions Review Act, which is being spearheaded by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Ben Cardin (D-MD). It would force President Trump to keep Congress informed if he plans to lift any sanctions imposed on Russia over its aggressive action in Ukraine or for interfering in the election. If Trump did want to lift any sanctions, the bill would give Congress 120 days to disapprove of the move and potentially block the president’s request.

The broader Iran sanctions bill is coming to the Senate floor this week, and will likely be wrapped up some time early next week. The Russian sanctions amendments are likely to be offered on Thursday, at the same time former FBI Director James Comey is slated to testify on whether President Trump tried to muzzle his investigation into whether members of his campaign, transition team and administration colluded with Russian officials.

Contact your U.S. Senators and let them know if they should support new Russian sanctions.

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-- Matt Laslo

(Photo Credit: US Dept. of State)