Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday “the time has come” to move a long-stalled bill and that the chamber would act “soon” — within 30 days — though he set no firm deadline. The House is out during a government shutdown.
Trump, calling his Putin conversation “productive,” said the two agreed to meet in Budapest “in the near future” and suggested it was “not perfect timing” for a vote.
He added the United States needs Tomahawk missiles for its own requirements and hinted sanctions may be unnecessary to reach peace.
The measure, introduced by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and backed by 84 other senators, is expected to pass easily. A House companion has more than 100 supporters.
Thune said Graham will file an updated draft addressing implementation issues that worried the White House but keeping the “same basic premise.”
Key provisions include a 500% tariff on imports from countries that buy Russian oil, gas and uranium; the bill allows a presidential waiver for national-security reasons.
Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal has called the penalties “scorching” and “bone-crushing.”
Sanctions momentum has surged and stalled for months amid shifting White House signals, a July tariff threat, and renewed interest after Russian drones entered Polish airspace.
On Thursday, lawmakers from both parties sent a letter urging Trump to follow through on earlier commitments and maintain pressure on Moscow.
(jh)
Source: PAP, CBS