Dems fear slow walking of Russia sanctions bill in House
WASHINGTON — Legislation that would hit Russia with economic sanctions and limit President Donald Trump’s authority to lift the penalties faces an uncertain future in the House despite the bill’s heavily bipartisan backing in the Senate.
Instead of moving for a quick vote to build on the burst of momentum created in the Senate, where the measure won 98 votes last week, the Republican leadership in the House has sent the sweeping sanctions package to the Foreign Affairs Committee for a review. The Russia penalties are embedded in a broader bill slapping sanctions on Iran.
Rep. Eliot Engel of New York, the committee’s top Democrat, said Monday he’s concerned that sending the sanctions bill to the committee will give the Trump administration an opportunity to weaken legislation. Such a move amid multiple investigations into Russia meddling in the 2016 presidential election would trigger an outcry among Democrats and some Republicans.
“Republican leadership should bring it straight to the floor without delay so the House can vote on it and send it to the president’s desk,” Engel said in a statement. Any other option, Engel added, will stall “this process and give the White House time to water down this key effort to hold the Kremlin accountable.”