Senate approves new sanctions package on Russia, sending deal to Trump's desk


The Senate on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to approve a new sanctions package on Russia, reaching a bipartisan consensus that prohibits President Trump from lifting the sanctions without congressional approval. The measure passed 97-2.
The sanctions are part of the U.S.'s punishment for a "trio of Russian actions," NBC News explains: "their interference in the 2016 election, engagement in Syria, and invasion of Crimea." The package calls for placing new restrictions on the Russian economy, including broad sanctions on its mining and shipping sectors, in addition to targeting specific individuals who were involved in corruption, human rights abuses, or aiding the Syrian government. "This bipartisan amendment is the sanctions regime that the Kremlin deserves for its actions," Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) said.
The sanctions measure will now land on Trump's desk, where he will either sign or veto the measure. He has not indicated whether he supports new sanctions on Russia.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kimberly Alters is the news editor at TheWeek.com. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents
-
Judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in Chicago
Speed Read The president is temporarily blocked from federalizing the Illinois National Guard or deploying any Guard units in the state
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats