A bill targeting Russia with substantial new sanctions is gaining momentum in the Senate, with a key GOP senator signaling Tuesday that President Donald Trump is now on board.
“We’re moving,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the bill’s author, adding that Trump “told me it’s time to move so we’re going to move.”
Graham joined Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other Republican senators in signaling a scheduling announcement later this week. That could set up the long-stalled bill to come to the floor later this month.
The burst of momentum comes after Trump publicly suggested Tuesday he was seriously looking at the sanctions bill as he aired sharp frustrations with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to enter peace negotiations with Ukraine.
Behind the scenes, Graham and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) tweaked the bill to provide expanded presidential waiver authority. That, they believe, addresses the White House’s push for more flexibility for Trump.
While the existing bill would let Trump waive sanctions on nations purchasing Russian oil or uranium for 180 days, the revised bill provides for a second 180-day waiver, Graham said. Invoking the second waiver would prompt a congressional vote, though he did not detail what the vote would entail.
“I’m confident the president is ready for us to act,” Graham said.
A White House spokesperson declined to comment on Graham’s statement and instead pointed to Trump’s public comments earlier Tuesday.
The sanctions will not be on the floor this week, according to two people granted anonymity to disclose private scheduling.
But Thune told reporters he’s coordinating closely with the White House and House on timing.
“We’ll have more to say about that later this week,” Thune told reporters, adding that there’s a “lot of interest” in moving the bill.
Jake Traylor contributed to this report.
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