WASHINGTON: US Republicans and Democrats have reached agreement on legislation that allows new sanctions against Russia, Iran and now also North Korea, leading congressional Democrats said on Saturday.
The Countering Iran’s Destabilizing Activities Act passed the Senate a month ago but was held up in the House of Representatives after Republicans proposed including North Korea sanctions in the bill.
Both chambers of Congress will have to pass the revised legislation.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, however, expressed concern that by including North Korea the legislation could face delays in the Senate.
“While we support the tougher sanctions on North Korea, which the House has already passed, I am concerned that adding them to this bill instead of standalone legislation will cause further procedural delays in the Senate,” she said in a statement.
“It is essential that the addition of North Korea to this package does not prevent Congress from immediately enacting
Russia sanctions legislation and sending it to the President’s desk before the August recess,” she added.
Many lawmakers hope the bill would send a message to President Donald Trump to keep a strong line against Russia. — Reuters