US House Approves New Anti-Russia Sanctions

Local Editor

The House of Representatives voted in favor of new anti-Russia sanctions, and require congressional approval before US President Donald Trump can ease or remove existing ones.

The bill also includes sanctions against Iran and North Korea.

Lawmakers voted 419-3 to approve legislation seeking to punish Russia over a host of issues, including its alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election, its support for the Syrian government and alleged support for the rebels in Ukraine, as well as Crimea's accession to Russia.

If signed into law, the measure will effectively cement the existing sanctions against Russia by requiring the administration to get permission from Congress before lifting or easing the economic penalties against Moscow.

"It empowers Congress to review and disapprove of any sanctions relief," said Rep. Ed Royce [R-California] on the House floor, ahead of the vote.

The sanctions target a wide array of entities and individuals - including Russia's energy sector, banks and weapons manufacturers, as well as those whom the US has accused of interfering in the US presidential election through hacking and otherwise.

To reverse each of the sanctions, the administration would have to provide evidence and certify that the conditions that prompted them have been removed.

Having secured well over two-thirds of the legislature's votes, the bill is effectively veto-proof, meaning lawmakers have enough votes to override any potential veto by the president.

Despite expressing doubts about Russia's alleged interference in his election, President Trump would sign the legislation, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Sunday.

However, the following day Huckabee Sanders said the president was going to "study that legislation and see what the final product looks like."

"While the President supports tough sanctions on North Korea, Iran and Russia, the White House is reviewing the House legislation and awaits a final legislative package for the President's desk," she said in a statement as cited by Reuters.

The White House opposed a similar bill which the Senate passed last month, saying that it would erode the president's authority to determine foreign policy.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team