US senators have reached agreement on a new package of sanctions on Russia amid the firestorm over Russia's meddling in the presidential election.
The package calls for strengthening current sanctions and imposing new ones on corrupt Russian actors, those involved in human rights abuses and those supplying weapons to the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Penalties also would be slapped on those responsible for malicious cyber activity on behalf of the Russian government.
The batch of sanctions would be added to a bill imposing penalties on Iran that the Senate is currently debating.
"The amendment to the underlying Iran sanctions bill maintains and substantially expands sanctions against the government of Russia in response to the violation of the territorial integrity of the Ukraine and Crimea, its brazen cyberattacks and interference in elections, and its continuing aggression in Syria," said Republicans and Democrats on the committees.
A procedural vote on the Russia sanctions is expected on Wednesday, and the measure is expected to get strong bipartisan support.
The legislation also allows new penalties on key elements of the Russia economy, including mining, metals, shipping and railways.
House and Senate committees are investigating Russia's meddling and potential links to the Trump campaign.
"By codifying existing sanctions and requiring congressional review of any decision to weaken or lift them, we are ensuring that the United States continues to punish President (Vladimir) Putin for his reckless and destabilising actions," said Chuck Schumer, the top Senate Democrat.
"These additional sanctions will also send a powerful and bipartisan statement to Russia and any other country who might try to interfere in our elections that they will be punished."
Share
