Overview
- A senior White House official told Reuters that President Trump would consider signing the bill only if it explicitly guarantees him the final decision on imposing sanctions.
- Senate and House leaders have postponed a floor vote while negotiators work on language to meet the presidential prerogative condition.
- The bipartisan measure, led by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, would authorize secondary sanctions on countries that keep buying Russian oil and gas, with reports describing a 500% tariff and restrictions targeting buyers of Russian uranium.
- Graham said Congress is prepared to advance the legislation with the president’s blessing and highlighted broad backing for the effort.
- Separate executive sanctions imposed in October on Rosneft and Lukoil remain in effect, and the U.S. Treasury says they are already reducing Russia’s oil revenues.