› Senate considers sanctions against Russia,
The Senate is expected to consider Russian sanctions as part of a bill aimed at holding Iran accountable for ballistic missile development and support of terrorism, according to U.S. Sen. Bob Corker.
An amendment, which would be introduced on the Senate floor, is being drafted related to Russian sanctions, Corker spokeswoman Micah Johnson said Wednesday.
“While the text of the amendment has not yet been finalized, the senator remains in discussions with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Mike Crapo, the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, which holds jurisdiction over sanctions legislation, on the path forward,” Johnson said by email. “The senator is hopeful the Senate will reach an agreement on language soon.”
Corker is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the bill on Iran sanctions passed that panel on an 18-3 vote late last month. Corker authored the legislation, which has 54 co-sponsors.
“We can no longer allow the nuclear agreement with Iran to dictate U.S. policy throughout the Middle East, and this bill is an important first step in finally holding Iran accountable for their non-nuclear destabilizing activities,” Corker said in a statement after the committee’s May 25 vote.
The Russian amendment comes as the investigation into Russian meddling in the U.S. elections once again is in the spotlight.
Former FBI Director James Comey, who President Donald Trump fired last month, testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Corker told reporters the Foreign Relations Committee would deal with the Russia issue, according to The Hill.
“We are going to deal with Russia and many Russian issues in this work period,” Corker told reporters. “I don’t want to commit to anything specifically.”
One foreign policy expert said Wednesday that effort could be a move to help get past an issue that has prevented Republicans from tackling other priorities.
If they aren’t able to make progress on the issues such as health care and tax reform many campaigned on in 2016, it “could come back to haunt them.”
Victor Ashe, former ambassador to Poland from 2004-2009 and past Republican mayor of Knoxville, said he doesn’t think Corker is being pressured on the Russian probe.
But Ashe said the Russia investigation, which he said involves “issues of the past,” should be expedited “for the good of the country.”
“We still have issues like immigration, health care, infrastructure,” he said.
Ashe said Corker’s committee has oversight of foreign policy, which would include Russia, and could develop legislation to make sure any meddling doesn’t happen again.
Corker has been supportive of Trump at times and was at one point under consideration for a Cabinet post. But Corker has been sharply critical of the administration.
After news reports indicated Trump shared classified information with Russian officials during an Oval Office meeting, Corker said the administration was in “a downward spiral.”
But Corker also praised Trump’s recent visit to the Middle East, saying the president accomplished his goals.
Duane W. Gang contributed to this story.