The U.S. Senate plans to pass House legislation sanctioning Russia over the 2016 election meddling, ensuring it will reach President Trump’s desk this summer.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., announced he has signed off on a House-passed bill that sanctions Russia and Iran as well as North Korea. Corker had been holding up Senate endorsement of the House bill because, he said, senators wanted input on the North Korea sanctions.
As part of the agreement to greenlight the bill in the Senate, Corker said Wednesday, the House has agreed to “expeditiously consider and pass enhancements to the North Korea language, which multiple members of the Senate hope to make in the very near future.”
Senate agreement followed a standoff between Corker and House GOP leaders.
The sanctions bill orginated in the Senate and was sent to the House, where lawmakers there added the North Korea punishment, sought changes to protect energy interests and put their own stamp on language that gives Congress a chance to object if President Trump decides to exempt Russia from sanctions. The House claimed jurisdiction over the matter, arguing the bill should have originated in their chamber.
But Corker balked at the new House provisions.
Weeks passed until Saturday, when an agreement was announced that the House version of the bill would be passed in the Senate. Corker, however, said he had not signed off on the announcement, adding a few days to the dispute.
Corker told reporters Wednesday it was simply a matter of wanting to allow senators to weigh in on North Korea sanctions and that the Senate intended to ensure the bill was complete before the House left this week for a five-week August recess.
The Senate is expected to remain in session until Aug. 11.
