Lawmakers nearing deal on Russian Federation sanctions

Lawmakers nearing deal on Russia sanctions
Russia Sanctions Package May Leave Out Trump Request to Ease Penalties
Author

22 July, 2017

The sanctions targeting Russian Federation, however, have drawn the most attention due to President Donald Trump's persistent push for warmer relations with President Vladimir Putin and ongoing investigations into Russia's interference in the 2016 campaign.

The House is scheduled to leave for its August recess at the end of next week.

Bipartisan negotiators are finalizing some tweaks to several areas of the bill, including details on Congress' power to enforce sanctions and changes that were added at the request of USA businesses that expressed concerns the current bill could put them at a competitive disadvantage.

The review requirement in the sanctions bill is styled after 2015 legislation pushed by Republicans and approved in the Senate that gave Congress a vote on whether then-President Barack Obama could lift sanctions against Iran.

One reported change to the bill would make it easier for USA companies to conduct business with Russian companies. In particular, House Democrats charged that GOP leaders had cut them out of the congressional review that would be triggered if Trump proposed to terminate or suspend the Russian Federation sanctions.

The revised bill clarifies which areas Congress can bring up for votes.

"My preference over the last month had been for the House to take up and adopt the legislation that passed the Senate 98-2; however I welcome the House bill, which was the product of intense negotiations", said Maryland Sen. Some expressed concerns it would mean Congress would have to vote on approving or blocking licenses for US businesses, an authority many want to remain with the Treasury Department.

The White House has sought to change a bill that would toughen sanctions on Moscow for meddling in the 2016 USA election. Members on both sides agree that the latest missile tests merit a muscular response from Congress and the House already passed that legislation in May, 419-1. McCarthy had pushed to add the North Korea sanctions to the package.

A potential conflict with President Trump looms because the agreement includes a provision mandating congressional review if the White House tried to reduce or terminate the sanctions.

The House and Senate negotiators addressed concerns voiced by American oil and natural gas companies that sanctions specific to Russia's energy sector could backfire on them to Moscow's benefit. German officials warned Congress that the legislation could have ensnared sanctions on their government or businesses at a time when the country was working with the U.S.in the region.

The revised bill also clarifies that American companies cannot do business with already-sanctioned defense interests in Russian Federation, as there were concerns U.S. companies that want to finalize transportation deals could be barred from doing so under the initial bill's restrictions. The measure bars ships owned by North Korea or by countries that refuse to comply with United Nations resolutions against it from operating in American waters or docking at US ports.

Trump could still veto the sanctions package, setting up the possibility of a congressional override by representatives of both parties.


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