|
The vote was 97
to two for the legislation, filed as an amendment to an Iran
sanctions bill. It is intended to punish Russia over issues
including alleged meddling in the election, annexation of
Ukraine's Crimea region and support for the government of Syria
in that country's six-year-long civil war.
The measure sets up a process for Congress to review changes in
sanctions, puts into law actions previously established via
presidential executive order, imposes new sanctions on Russians
found guilty of human rights abuses or conducting cyber attacks.
[nL1N1JA056]
It was introduced amid an intense focus in the U.S. capital on
relations with Russia, and investigations by the Department of
Justice and congressional committees of whether Russia sought to
influence the 2016 U.S. elections to help elect Trump, and
whether Trump associates colluded with Moscow as it sought to
influence the election.
Moscow denies any such activity, which Trump has dismissed as
sour grapes by the Democrats he defeated.
The Iran bill, including the Russia sanctions amendment, was
expected to pass the Senate on Thursday or later on Wednesday.
To take effect, the measure would also have to pass the House of
Representatives and be signed into law by Trump. If Trump
objected, some of its backers said they expected enough
congressional support to override a veto.
"Today the Senate has finally confronted Russia for interfering
in our elections. This bipartisan amendment is the sanctions
regime that the Kremlin deserves for its actions," said
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a leader of the push for the
legislation.
The only two "no" votes on the Russia bill were from Republican
Senators Mike Lee and Rand Paul.
(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Tom Brown)
[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
