Senate expands Russia sanctions with bipartisan support

The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved expanded sanctions on Russian officials and companies in retaliation for the country’s meddling in last year’s U.S. presidential election. The sanctions target Russians engaged in corruption, those accused of human rights abuses, and anyone supplying weapons to the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad. People doing business with Russian intelligence and defense agencies and those “conducting malicious cyber activity on behalf of the Russian government” also face penalties. Russian officials have denied involvement in hacking and attempts to spread fake news during the election. But U.S. intelligence agencies say they have ample evidence the Kremlin directed a campaign designed to sway voters toward Donald Trump. The Trump administration, plagued by multiple investigations into its Russian ties, offered only tepid praise for the new sanctions. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned lawmakers against adopting sanctions that might strangle diplomatic communication. He urged them “to ensure any legislation allows the president to have the flexibility to adjust sanctions to meet the needs of what is always an evolving diplomatic situation.” House lawmakers must approve the sanctions before they can take effect.

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