A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday pushing to control changes to sanctions for Russia after Moscow’s purported attempt to interfere with the November elections, and after multiple outlets reported that the Trump campaign held conversations with Russian officials throughout the campaign.
Headed by House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, five House members are pushing the Russia Sanctions Review Act, which would give Congress the ability to review any sanctions relief deal before it would take effect.
Along with Hoyer, the bill is supported by Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, and Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
“This is not a partisan issue,” Hoyer said during a Wednesday morning press conference. “Every American, every Republican, every Democrat is concerned about Russia and what they’ve been doing to violate international law — not to mention the criminal behavior that they may be pursuing and are pursuing, we believe, in Syria. This is a serious matter of national security, which is why both Democrats and Republicans are putting this bill forward.”
The longtime Maryland Democrat predicted that the bill would garner enough support to override a possible veto from President Trump. He noted that the Senate is pushing a companion bill as well, which is supported by Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Ben Cardin, D-Md.
“If anything, we need to increase [the sanctions]. But for now, we need to do all we can to ensure that these measures remain in place so long as Putin’s hostile and illegal activities continue,” said Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., who argued that Russia should not be able to “weasel out” of sanctions. “It will give Congress a stronger voice on this issue.”
Hoyer also responded to reports that surfaced Tuesday night saying that the Trump campaign had contact with Russian officials throughout the campaign last year, saying that it is time for oversight hearings in the House and Senate on the issue. Schiff noted that the House Intelligence Committee is also investigating the issue.
