The Senate has overwhelmingly approved a sweeping Russia sanctions package to reinforce U.S. support for Ukraine and pressure President Vladimir Putin to end the war. The bipartisan legislation, which passed the Senate 86-11, would penalize countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas, and other exports, seeking to deprive Putin of revenues fueling the war.
Background
The legislation is the result of a year-long campaign by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham to support Ukraine and force Putin’s hand. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Capitol and met with senators from both parties, watching from the gallery as the Senate took the first procedural votes on the legislation.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who worked with Graham on the package, said, “Today, President Zelenskyy is watching from Ukraine — and Putin is watching from Moscow… Today we say to the people of Ukraine: You are not alone. And today we say to Vladimir Putin: You will not conquer Ukraine.”
Provisions
The package allows the president to impose tariffs on the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, including China and India. It provides exceptions for countries that import less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and are taking steps to reduce those imports.
The legislation also includes sanctions on Putin, senior Russian political and military leaders, Russian financial institutions, and Russian energy projects. It would expand U.S. sanctions to target older, reflagged oil tankers that Russia uses to circumvent existing U.S. sanctions on Russian oil and energy revenues.
Some Democrats and Republicans have expressed concerns about giving President Donald Trump broad authority to impose tariffs, citing worries about inflation and high costs of living for Americans. However, the legislation includes waiver authority for the president, allowing the White House to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that the waiver is in the national interest.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
