Political and Legislative
Congress Passes Bills That Ban Russian Oil
The Senate and House cleared bills on Thursday to revoke normal trade relations with Russia and ban oil imports from the country, a one-two punch that caps three weeks of negotiations over legislation to further isolate Moscow.
It’s the first time since Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine that Congress has sent sanctions measures to President Joe Biden’s desk. Lawmakers have mostly deferred to the White House to implement sanctions and other punitive measures against Russia — many of which have been done in coordination with NATO countries and other allies — but members of both parties urged congressional leaders to take action that would force the Biden administration to do more.
