McCain, Cardin seek to shield Magnitsky sanctions from Trump

A new bill introduced Thursday by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Ben Cardin, D-Md., aims to protect Magnitsky Act sanctions on gross human rights abusers in Russia from being rescinded by President Trump and his administration.

McCain and Cardin say they are concerned Magnitsky could become a bargaining chip as Trump seeks better relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who proposed a deal during the two leaders’ summit in Helsinki this month that would have sent Bill Browder, a key advocate of the law, to Russia for questioning.