Bill Resolves All Procedural Issues, Clearing the Way for House Vote
Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi; and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer today introduced a House version of the Russia-Iran sanctions bill (H.R. 3203) that passed 98-2 in the Senate last month. Identical to the original Senate-passed bill, this legislation resolves procedural concerns that have delayed House action on the tough sanctions package.
“It's time to stop the delays and vote on this sanctions bill. Our legislation puts to rest all the technical questions and allows the House to finally vote on the same legislation that won overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate,” said Ranking Member Engel. “We need to hold Russia and Iran accountable for their aggressive behavior, and I urge House leaders to act on this bill without delay.”
“For weeks, Republicans have dragged their feet and used every trick in the book to avoid holding Russia accountable for its brazen interference in our election,” said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. “While Republicans shirk their constitutional duty to protect our democracy, House Democrats are introducing the bipartisan Senate-passed Russia sanctions bill and challenging House Republican leadership to bring it to the floor for an immediate vote. After this indefensible delay and the explosive new Trump-Russia revelations, Republicans must also immediately join Democrats to create an outside, independent commission to get to the bottom of Russia's assault on our democracy and to prevent it from ever happening again.”
“Tonight I joined Leader Pelosi and Ranking Member Engel in introducing the Senate’s bill in the House because Congress must hold the Administration accountable on Russia sanctions. It is critical that the House join our Senate colleagues in sending a clear, bipartisan message that we support strong sanctions against Russia and Iran. I hope that we can act together without delay,” said House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer.
As a House bill, this legislation avoids the so called “blue-slip” problem that delayed action on the Senate-passed version. Additionally, this bill ensures that provisions allowing tough, bipartisan oversight of potential sanctions relief would remain intact.
