Ryan set to move Russia sanctions bill

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Paul Ryan pledged Wednesday to pass a Russia sanctions bill, an effort that has stalled because of a constitutional issue.

“I’m a Russia hawk,” said Ryan, R-Wis. “We want to move this Russia sanctions bill.”

The sanctions legislation, which also would hit Iran with new economic penalties, passed with 98 votes in the Senate but stalled in the House after the GOP cited a constitutional requirement that legislation involving revenue start in that chamber.

House Democrats late Wednesday introduced the original Senate bill as a House measure, a move they said would settle the constitutional question and retain bipartisan oversight of potential sanctions relief.

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, urged the House to act quickly.