FOREIGN POLICY/RUSSIA: “The Senate approved new sanctions to punish Russia for its alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. election on an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote Thursday [7-27-17], gaining tentative support from the White House before its passage.
The measure, which also imposes sanctions on North Korea and Iran, passed the Senate on a 98-2 vote. The same measure passed the House on Tuesday on a 419-3 vote. Senators interrupted a contentious debate Thursday over repealing the Affordable Care Act to vote on the sanctions.
President Donald Trump hasn’t said whether he would sign the measure, and administration officials have said the bill may infringe on presidential authority. Mr. Trump also has expressed skepticism about U.S. intelligence findings that Russia interfered in the election.
But the White House said Thursday it would examine the final legislation before Mr. Trump decides whether to sign it.”
-Natalie Andrews, “Russia Sanctions Bill Clears the Senate With Bipartisan Vote,” The Wall Street Journal online, July 27, 2017 07:50pm