US lawmakers reach deal on Russia 
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US lawmakers reach deal on Russia 
sanctions bill, creating limits for Trump

This article is more than 12 months old

WASHINGTON US Republicans and Democrats have reached agreement on legislation that allows new sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea, leading congressional Democrats said on Saturday, in a bill that would limit any future effort by President Donald Trump to try to lift sanctions against Moscow.

The Countering Iran's Destabilising Activities Act, passed by the Senate a month ago, was held up in the House of Representatives after Republicans proposed including North Korea sanctions in the bill.

The House is set to vote tomorrow on a package of bills on sanctions covering Russia, Iran and North Korea, according to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy's office.

The measure will "hold them accountable for their dangerous actions," Mr McCarthy said in a statement on Saturday.

Under the proposed bill, Mr Trump must submit to Congress a report on proposed actions that would "significantly alter" US foreign policy in connection with Russia.

Congress would have at least 30 days to hold hearings and then vote to uphold or reject Mr Trump's proposed changes.

Many lawmakers hope the bill will send a message to Mr Trump to keep a strong line against Russia.

Mr Trump, who met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Group of 20 summit in Hamburg earlier this month, has been criticised for seeking to reset US-Russian relations. His administration has been bogged down by investigations of possible ties between his 2016 campaign and Russia.

With the bill, Republicans and Democrats are seeking to punish Russia for its 2014 annexation of Crimea, a peninsula that belonged to Ukraine, and for meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.

Mr Putin has denied meddling in the US democratic process, while Mr Trump has said his campaign did not collude with Russia.

- REUTERS

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