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US House Set to Debate Russia Sanctions Bill Amid Ukraine Crisis
Confirmed
In Short: The US House of Representatives is set to debate a Russia sanctions bill next week, as tensions escalate in Ukraine amid ongoing Russian attacks and a perceived economic rebound for Moscow.
Ukrainian officials are pressing for swift passage of the Lindsey O. Graham sanctions bill, which would give the president additional authority to impose punitive tariffs on countries buying Russian fossil fuels. Despite broad support in the Senate, the House faces a compressed legislative calendar due to upcoming elections, raising uncertainty about when the bill will be debated.
Ukrainian sanctions commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk met with lawmakers in Washington, emphasizing the urgency of passing the bill. 'There is a lot of support for Ukraine on,' he said, adding that Kyiv has been 'very vocal' in stressing the urgency of passing the bill. However, three key Democrats have called for negotiations to craft a bill that can win strong support in both chambers.
Meanwhile, the US House is expected to reconvene for one additional week of business after next week’s Labor Day break, with lawmakers leaving Washington no later than September 17 and not returning until mid-November. The bill, which provides exceptions for countries importing less than 15% of Russia’s natural gas exports, faces uncertain prospects despite overwhelming support in the Senate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the House to pass the bill in a social media post, stating, 'Sanctions need to be imposed now and must be strong.' However, three lawmakers serving as ranking Democrats on key congressional committees issued a joint statement, calling for negotiations to craft a bill that can win strong support in both chambers, arguing that the current version could do more harm than good.
What's confirmed
- Ukrainian officials are pressing for swift passage of the Lindsey O. Graham sanctions bill, which would give the president additional authority to impose punitive tariffs on countries buying Russian fossil fuels. Despite broad support in the Senate, the House faces a compressed legislative calendar due to upcoming elections, raising uncertainty about when the bill will be debated.
- Ukrainian sanctions commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk met with lawmakers in Washington, emphasizing the urgency of passing the bill. 'There is a lot of support for Ukraine on,' he said, adding that Kyiv has been 'very vocal' in stressing the urgency of passing the bill. However, three key Democrats have called for negotiations to craft a bill that can win strong support in both chambers.
- Meanwhile, the US House is expected to reconvene for one additional week of business after next week’s Labor Day break, with lawmakers leaving Washington no later than September 17 and not returning until mid-November. The bill, which provides exceptions for countries importing less than 15% of Russia’s natural gas exports, faces uncertain prospects despite overwhelming support in the Senate.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the House to pass the bill in a social media post, stating, 'Sanctions need to be imposed now and must be strong.' However, three lawmakers serving as ranking Democrats on key congressional committees issued a joint statement, calling for negotiations to craft a bill that can win strong support in both chambers, arguing that the current version could do more harm than good.
What's still developing
- United States envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have been seen as embarrassing and amateurish after their latest attempt to secure a ceasefire in Russia’s war in Ukraine, suggesting that European patience with the US administration of Donald Trump is running out.
- Russia also paused attacks as they visited Kyiv.
- Ukraine’s military leadership said that since the beginning of the war, Russia has suffered 1.5m losses of personnel – both soldiers killed or incapacitated.
- The Witkoff-Kushner visit to Moscow was immediately followed by Russian attacks on Kyiv.
- Witkoff caused outrage after he openly flattered Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- But as soon as Witkoff and Kushner left, Russia showered drones and missiles on Kyiv killing at least four civilians on September 8 and 9.
- Russia has shown little sign that it is ready for a deal.
- “Russia intends to achieve the goals of the special military operation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserted on September 8.