Sanctions bill gets thumbs-up

White House hints president will sign

WASHINGTON — The White House indicated Sunday that President Donald Trump would sign a Russia sanctions measure that requires him to get Congress’ permission before lifting or easing the economic penalties against Moscow.

Lawmakers in the House are scheduled to consider the sanctions package as early as Tuesday, and the bill could be sent to Trump before Congress breaks for the August recess.

The legislation is aimed at punishing Moscow for meddling in the presidential election and its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the newly appointed White House press secretary, said the administration is supportive of being tough on Russia and “particularly putting these sanctions in place.”

“We support where the legislation is now and will continue to work with the House and Senate to put those tough sanctions in place on Russia until the situation in Ukraine is fully resolved,” Sanders said on ABC’S “This Week.”

Congressional Republicans and Democrats announced Saturday that they had settled issues with the bill, which includes economic penalties against Iran and North Korea.

The White House had objected to a section of the bill that would require a congressional review if Trump attempts to terminate the sanctions against Moscow.

Administration officials said the provisions infringed on the president’s executive authority and tied his hands as he explores avenues of cooperation between the two former Cold War foes.

But Sanders said the White House was able to work with the House and Senate to “make those changes that were necessary.”

The Senate last month passed sanctions legislation that targeted only Russia and Iran.