United States support extending sanctions against Iran, Russia

A new package of economic sanctions on Russia and Iran unacceptably constrains the president’s authority, the White House said Monday as Democrats complained that the Trump administration was trying to weaken the penalties. This was reported by the Washington Post.

کد خبر: ۷۱۱۳۳۷

تاریخ: ۲۰ تير ۱۳۹۶ - ۱۲:۲۱

The legislation sailed through the Senate nearly a month ago in response to Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election and its belligerence toward Ukraine. But the bill stalled in the House with Democrats and Republicans blaming each other for the delay.

Marc Short, the White House legislative director, told reporters that the administration backs the new sanctions on Russia and Iran. But he appeared to object to a key part of the legislation that would give Capitol Hill a much stronger hand in determining Russia sanctions policy. The bill would require a congressional review if President Donald Trump attempts to ease or end penalties against Moscow.

"Our concern is that the legislation, we believe, sets an unusual precedent of delegating foreign policy to 535 members of Congress by not including certain national security waivers that have always been consistently part of sanctions bills in the past,” Short said.

Following his lengthy meeting on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Germany, Trump said he wants to move forward "working constructively with Russia.”

As it was reported earlier US Senate amends anti-Russian sanctions bill, correcting technical mistakes in it on a new package of sanctions against Russia. Amended version was submitted to the House of Representatives for consideration.