US House passes four bills aimed at Moscow

The US House of Representatives passed bills demanding Russian accountability for corruption, human rights abuse and aggression in countries such as Syria and Ukraine.

The legislation demands accountability for the murder of a Russian opposition leader, prohibits recognition of its sovereignty over Crimea, calls for investigations into President Vladimir Putin’s finances and seeks assessments of influence campaigns.

All four bills passed on Tuesday in the Democrats controlled House with strong Republican support.

The legislation calls for investigations into Putin’s finances

Countering Russian aggression has quickly become a priority for the newly elected House.

Critics of President Donald Trump say his administration is not doing enough to counter Russian aggression and that Congress is obliged to step in and assert American leadership on the issue.

Eliot Engel, the Democratic chairman of the House foreign affairs committee, introduced legislation demanding sanctions be imposed for the killing of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.

Nemtsov was shot in 2015 near the Kremlin. Five men have been jailed for his murder, but his supporters say the real culprits have not been held accountable.