US lawmakers join forces to 'block' Trump on the Russia issue.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers have agreed on new sanctions targeting Russia, Iran, and North Korea, preemptively blocking any attempts by President Donald Trump to lift the sanctions.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy - Photo: Reuters

Reuters reported on July 23rd that Kevin McCarthy, the House Majority Leader, confirmed the information.

The bill to counter Iran's destabilizing actions was passed in the US Senate a month ago. However, it was re-elected to the House of Representatives after Republican lawmakers proposed adding sanctions against North Korea.

According to this bill, Trump would have to submit a report to Congress outlining proposed actions that would "significantly alter" U.S. foreign policy toward Russia. These "significant changes" are broad and specific, including easing sanctions or returning two Russian diplomatic facilities in the U.S. that Washington sealed off last year.

In this case, Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate) would have at least 30 days to discuss, hear, and vote on or reject the president's proposed changes.

McCarthy said the House would vote on July 25 on comprehensive sanctions targeting the three countries. He stressed that sanctions were a way "to hold them accountable for their dangerous actions."

Russia is currently under US sanctions following the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Before leaving office, former US President Barack Obama ordered the expulsion of Moscow's diplomats and the closure of two Russian diplomatic facilities, accusing them of interfering in the 2016 US election.

Since President Trump took office, allegations of Russian interference in the US elections have continued to overshadow his presidency, with a series of investigations and hearings being conducted.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called Russia's actions in Europe and the U.S. "Outrageous and unacceptable." "We absolutely need strong sanctions as soon as possible," Pelosi said.

However, this person suggested that including North Korea in the bill could prolong the time it takes for it to pass in the Senate.

In a joint statement, McCarthy and Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, affirmed that the amendment bill would "help strengthen energy security for America's European allies by maintaining access to key energy sources outside of Russia."

Senate Majority Leader, Republican Senator Chuck Schumer, said a strong sanctions bill was necessary and expressed hope that both Republican and Democratic parties in Congress would quickly pass it.

"A nearly united Congress is ready to send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on behalf of all the American people and allies. What we need now is for President Trump to deliver that message," Senator Ben Cardin, the Democratic leader on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated cryptically.

According to tuoitre.vn