Two top Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee have promised more sanctions for Russia beyond what President Obama announced Thursday.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the chairman of the committee, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., released a joint statement calling the sanctions levied by Obama “long overdue.”
“But ultimately, they are a small price for Russia to pay for its brazen attack on American democracy. We intend to lead the effort in the new Congress to impose stronger sanctions on Russia,” the statement said.
The sanctions are retaliation for the Russian government’s hacking of the Democratic National Committee and Democratic campaigns in an effort to influence the outcome of the election.
They target Russian intelligence officials, as well as other intelligence officials who pose as diplomats. That includes 35 Russian officials who were operating in the U.S. who have now been given days to leave the country.
