US lawmakers reach deal on Russia sanctions bill
WASHINGTON — Congressional leaders have reached an agreement on sweeping sanctions legislation to punish Russia for its election meddling and aggression toward its neighbors, they said on Saturday, defying the White House’s argument that US President Dona
The new legislation would sharply limit the president’s ability to suspend or terminate the sanctions — a remarkable handcuffing by a Republican-led Congress six months into Trump’s tenure.
It is also the latest Russia-tinged turn for a presidency consumed by investigations into the Trump campaign’s interactions with Russian officials, including conversations between Trump advisers and Russian officials about prospective sanctions relief.
Now, Trump could soon face a decision he hoped to avoid: veto the bill — a move that would fuel accusations that he is doing the bidding of Russian President Vladimir Putin — or sign legislation imposing sanctions his administration has opposed.
“A nearly united Congress is poised to send President Putin a clear message on behalf of the American people and our allies,” said Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, “and we need Trump to help us deliver that message.”
The bill aims to punish Russia not only for interference in the election but also for its annexation of Crimea, continuing military activity in eastern Ukraine and human rights abuses.
Proponents of the measure seek to impose sanctions on people involved in human rights abuses, suppliers of weapons to the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad and those undermining cybersecurity, among others.
The agreement highlighted the gap between what Trump sees as the proper approach to a resurgent Russia and how lawmakers — even Republicans who broadly support Trump — want to proceed.
While Trump has dangled the possibility of negotiating a deal to lift sanctions, Putin’s top objective, the congressional response is to expand them.
The White House did not respond publicly to the legislation. But two senior administration officials said they could not imagine Trump vetoing the measure in the current political atmosphere, even if he regards it as interfering with his executive authority to conduct foreign policy.
But as ever, Trump retains the capacity to surprise, and this would be his first decision about whether to veto a significant bill.
Congress has complicated his choice because the legislation also encompasses new sanctions against Iran and North Korea, two countries the administration has been eager to punish for their activities.