Senate Drops Russian Sanctions Bill, Pursues Iran Instead

The leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee have decided to table a Russia sanctions bill, Politico reported.

Instead, committee chairman Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and ranking Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., have agreed to push forward a bill to counter Russian influence in Eastern Europe without using sanctions, and an Iran sanctions bill, the outlet reported.

Some Democrats on the panel wanted to move Iran and Russia sanctions together, Politico reported, citing unnamed sources.

"We're not going to do a Russia sanctions bill," Corker told Politico.

"The ranking member and I are in strong agreement on a pathway forward, and that's what we're going to do. We're going to do an Iran sanctions bill. It'll be done toward the end of this work period. We're also working together on a bill to push back against Russia in Europe and what they're doing, and those are the two courses of action that we're taking."

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said he disagreed with the decision.

"I think anytime is a good time for Russia sanctions given everything they've done," Rubio told Politico.

Politico reported the Iran sanctions bill was formulated to retaliate for Iran's ballistic missile development, support for U.S.-designated terrorist groups and human rights violations; the Russia sanctions bill was designed to punish Moscow for meddling in November's presidential election.

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