Leading U.S. senators from both Democratic and Republican parties proposed new sanctions against Russia that would markedly increase Moscow’s economic isolation and could limit President-elect Donald Trump’s ability to improve ties with the Kremlin, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Tuesday’s proposed legislation would set in stone many of the sanctions the Obama administration levied against Russia after revelations of election-related cyberhacking, and significantly broaden the restrictions against companies seeking to invest in Russia’s energy sector and the state-run corporations that dominate the country’s economy.
“We have been attacked by Russia. That’s no longer up to any debate,” said Sen. Ben Cardin (D., Md.), one of the sponsors of the bill. “It cannot be business as usual.”
The measure would provide the White House with the ability to waive the sanctions, but it would have to certify that Russia’s international behaviour has improved. “The waiver is not to be used unless progress is made,” Mr. Cardin said.
Responding to the election-year hacking, the proposed legislation would impose visa bans and asset freezes on foreigners tied to cybersecurity breaches and ban transactions with key Russian intelligence agencies.
Republican co-sponsors include Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida, Rob Portman of Ohio and Ben Sasse of Nebraska. The bill so far has bipartisan support among 10 U.S. senators, its backers say.