Senate Majority Leader John Thune signaled Wednesday the Senate is prepared to pass new sanctions targeting Russia this month, saying he is working with the White House to get the bill to President Donald Trump’s desk.
Speaking from the Senate floor, Thune said that there’s been “substantial progress” on legislation targeting Russia’s energy production and that the bill would “enhance President Trump’s leverage at the negotiating table and help end the bloodshed in Ukraine.”
“I fully expect that could be ready for floor consideration as early as this work period,” Thune said. “Senate Republicans are committed to working with the House and White House to get this legislation through Congress and on to the president’s desk.”
The Senate is set to remain in session through Aug. 1, though the House is set to depart Washington for the long August recess a week earlier.
The sanctions bill has more than 80 supporters, but Thune has been waiting on a clear signal from Trump before moving forward. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), its coauthors, have built it additional flexibility for Trump as they’ve negotiated the bill, Graham told reporters Tuesday.
