Lawmakers will likely consider an Iran sanctions bill in coming weeks but will not do the same for a Russia sanctions bill, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee told reporters Monday.
“We’re not going to do a Russian sanctions bill during this work period,” said Tennessee senator Bob Corker. “We’re going to do an Iran sanctions bill to deal with the other activities they’ve been involved in in the region.”
Corker said earlier in April that the bill had been delayed in part over concerns about Iran’s presidential elections. The legislation, which would slap sanctions on Iran over ballistic missile tests and human rights violations, also faced delays related to a Democratic objection. However, sSeveral Democratic backers of the bill called for prompt movement on the legislation in April.
The Tennessee senator also said that he and Senator Ben Cardin, the top-ranking Democrat on the committee, were working together on a larger legislative effort to counter illicit Russian activities. But the sense of urgency for Russia sanctions had cooled since Trump entered office, he said, because the president has not cozied up to the Kremlin as some had expected.
“The drive for Russia sanctions was that many people on the left and right were concerned that the administration may try to undo the sanctions [related to Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Crimea,” Corker said. “I don’t think anybody has that fear anymore.”
He added that it would be better to wait on Russia sanctions while the Senate Intelligence Committee conducts its investigation into Russian election interference.
“You do have a detailed hearing process and investigation that is under way,” he said. “Does it not make sense to get those facts, let them be known?”
The wide-ranging Russia bill, introduced in January, would impose sanctions on the country related to its interference in the 2016 election.
