US senators have backed extra Russia sanctions, setting the scene for
a clash with the EU and putting at risk a new gas pipeline.
The sanctions bill sailed through the Senate by 98 votes to two on
Thursday (27 July) after having passed by 419 votes to three in the
House of Representatives on Tuesday.
It will become law when signed by US president Donald Trump.
A Trump spokesman told the CNN broadcaster this week that “he may
veto the sanctions”, which come despite his overtures for better
relations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
But senators said he would be unwise to do that because the whopping majority in Congress would see his veto overturned.
"It’s typically not good for presidents to veto something that can be
overwhelmingly overridden,” Bob Corker, a Republican senator, told
press.
Chuck Schumer, a Democratic senator, said a veto would also harm
Trump’s image amid ongoing investigations into his alleged collusion
with Russia to sway last year’s US election.
"If the president vetoes this bill, the American people will know
that he is being soft on Putin, that he’s giving a free pass to a
foreign adversary who violated the sanctity of our democracy," Schumer
said.
Note EU-Digest: Once again Russia has become the whipping boy for the US political establishment.
When all else fails for US politicians who usually can't even agree among themselves what day of the week it is.
Read more: Senate backs Russia sanctions, setting scene for EU clash
