Speed Reads
bipartisan effort
Senate overwhelmingly passes Russia sanctions bill
On Thursday, the Senate voted 98-2 to impose new sanctions on Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
The House passed the bill earlier this week, 419-3. The legislation would force President Trump to consult Congress before he lifts any sanctions, and he has not indicated if he will sign it. Incoming White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci said on CNN Thursday morning Trump "may sign the sanctions exactly the way they are, or he may veto the sanctions and negotiate an even tougher deal against the Russians."
The bill is in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, and comes amid several investigations around alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.