Thune faces House pushback to voting first on Russia sanctions

Published November 20, 2025 4:12pm ET



The Russia sanctions bill is fanning new tensions between the House and Senate as Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) calls on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to pass the legislation first.

Three senior House GOP aides, granted anonymity to speak candidly, described being surprised Wednesday after Thune suggested the Senate would wait for the House to act now that President Donald Trump has given his blessing to the sanctions bill.

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