US lawmakers join hands to 'block' Mr. Trump on Russia issue

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

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy - Photo: Reuters

Reuters news agency on July 23 quoted Mr. Kevin McCarthy, majority leader of the US House of Representatives, confirming the above information.

The Iran Countering Terrorism Act passed the US Senate a month ago, but was re-evaluated in the House after Republicans proposed adding more sanctions on North Korea.

Under the bill, Mr Trump would be required to submit a report to Congress on proposed actions that would “significantly alter” US foreign policy toward Russia. These “significant changes” are broad and specific, including easing sanctions or returning two Russian diplomatic compounds in the US that Washington seized last year.

In this case, Congress (the House and Senate) will have at least 30 days to discuss, hold hearings, and hold votes to support or reject the president's proposed changes.

Mr McCarthy said the House would vote on July 25 on combined sanctions against the three countries. He stressed that sanctions are a way to “hold them accountable for their dangerous actions”.

Russia is currently under US sanctions following its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Before leaving office, former US President Barack Obama ordered the expulsion of Moscow diplomats and the closure of two Russian diplomatic facilities over allegations of interference in the 2016 US election.

Since Mr. Trump took office, the suspicion of Russian interference in the US election has continued to overshadow his term with a series of investigations and hearings being conducted.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called Russia's actions in Europe and the US "outrageous and unacceptable." "We must have strong sanctions as soon as possible," Pelosi said.

However, he said adding North Korea to the bill could prolong its passage in the Senate.

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

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Republican, said a strong sanctions bill was needed and expressed hope that Republicans and Democrats in both chambers would pass it quickly.

"A nearly unified Congress is ready to send Russian President Vladimir Putin a message on behalf of all the American people and our allies. What we need now is for President Trump to deliver that message," Senator Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a cryptic statement.

According to tuoitre.vn