U.S. House clears procedural hurdle for Russia sanctions bill
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A procedural motion allowing the bill to proceed to debate and a subsequent vote was approved by 214 members of Congress (Photo: REUTERS/Aaron Schwartz)
The U.S. House of Representatives overcame a key procedural obstacle to advance a bill introducing new sanctions tools against Russia and countries that purchase Russian energy, The Hill reported on Sept. 15.
The procedural measure, which allows the bill to move to debate and a subsequent vote, passed 214-211. The deciding votes came from Democrats Jared Golden and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who backed advancing the bill against the position of most of their own party. A final vote on the bill itself will take place on Sept. 16, Radio Liberty journalist Alex Raufoglu reported.
The bill, on which the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham had worked, would grant U.S. President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs on countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas. The legislation also calls for expanding personal sanctions, restrictions targeting foreign suppliers and Russia's "shadow fleet," a ban on new American investment in Russia, and tighter export controls.
Republican Rep. Michael McCaul said during debate on the bill that advancing it would demonstrate U.S. support for Ukraine to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
"When we look back on this moment, I want us to be able to say that we did everything possible to end this war," McCaul said.
Some Democrats oppose the bill's current form. They support increasing pressure on Russia but consider the expansion of Trump's tariff authority problematic. They also say the bill does not require the president to automatically impose the sanctions it authorizes.
The procedural vote does not amount to final passage of the bill in the House. It cleared the way for debate and a final vote on the legislation. Earlier, on Aug. 7, the Senate passed its own version of the sanctions measure by a vote of 86.
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