US Senate votes near unanimously for Russia, Iran sanctions

Indeed, the bill requires a congressional review if the president attempts to ease or end sanctions against Moscow, according to the Associated Press. Lawmakers of both parties stressed the measures in no way target Iran’s nuclear program or the landmark worldwide nuclear accord with Tehran.

For investors who rushed to Russian Federation earlier this year in hopes that Donald Trump’s presidency could lead to an easing of sanctions, that may be little comfort.

For investors in Russia’s energy and metals sectors, the U.S. Senate’s bill to expand sanctions was a blow.

“The relationship between the United States and Russian Federation is at an all-time low and it’s getting worse”, he said, adding that passing the bill would not help move the “constructive dialogue” he built further along.

“We have no time to waste”, said Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona.

The bipartisan support for the year’s most significant GOP-backed limitation on Trump comes as the White House remains silent on the plan to sanction Moscow, even as President Putin pushes back at USA intelligence officials’ conclusion that Russian actors conducted cyberattacks to disrupt the 2016 presidential election.

According to the release posted by the Banking Committee, the amendment to a bill on Iran sanctions “maintains and substantially expands sanctions” against Russian Federation for violations of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, cyberattacks, interference in elections and continuing aggression in Syria.

News reports the sanctions target Russian individuals who give weapons to the Assad regime, violate human rights, or are involved in the defense and intelligence industries.

Tedeytan/flickrThe Senate has passed a bill to impose new sanctions on Russian Federation and Iran, and to curb the president’s power to roll back such sanctions unilaterally.

“Iran is contributing to regional instability and has not demonstrated any interest in rejoining the community of responsible nations by halting its malign behavior”, Cardin said at the time. “Now, he’s surprised me on a lot of things”, Sen. The bipartisan effort showcases that the Obama legacy on relations with Iran, and specifically the Iran deal (which is not rescinded in the Senate bill), have become deeply unpopular.

He conceded that the amendment would pass despite his objections and he was correct.

“Leader [Mitch] McConnell [R-Ky.] and I worked extremely well together on this issue”, he said.

On June 15, 2017, the Senate passed the Countering Iran’s Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 (S.722) by a vote of 98-2. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.to reporters on Sunday.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee had been expected to mark up Russian Federation legislation this month, but Corker and ranking member (D-Md.) pointed to the Iran bill as a faster way to get Russian Federation sanctions through the upper chamber.

The Trump administration has rejected Exxon’s request for a sanctions exemption that would permit it to continue a development project in Russian Federation.

Mr. Parubiy was present for the vote as a guest of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, which is co-chaired by Sens.

Previously, U.S. energy sanctions had only targeted Russia’s future high-tech energy projects, such as drilling for oil in the Arctic, fracking and offshore drilling.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson anxious about a potential amendment closing off channels to the country, but Tennessee Sen.

“I would urge Congress to ensure any legislation allows the president to have the flexibility to adjust sanctions to meet the needs of what is always an evolving diplomatic situation”, Tillerson told lawmakers Wednesday.

The Senate and House of Representatives still need to sign off on the full bill before it would reach Trump’s desk for final approval.