US Congress moves to ramp up penalties on Russia

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has moved into its third week, bringing in another wave of condemnation from within Russia and from many other countries. US Congress is now ramping up its penalties against dictator Vladimir Putin’s regime this week as it moves to pass legislation targeting Russia again.

The Hill reports that Congress is working to impose another set of penalties on Russia this week. This follows the passing of the $13.6 billion in aid to Ukraine that took place last week. Now, lawmakers are scrambling to pass legislation that would cut normal trade relations with Russia.

President Joe Biden has formally voiced his support for the move, which would revoke Russia’s “most favored nation” trade status. This would require an act of Congress to formally implement the move. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement that the House of Representatives would be taking up the bill this week as its session is to resume Tuesday.

“When the House returns next week, we will take up legislation to formalize this revocation, and it is our hope that it will receive a strong, bipartisan vote,” said Pelosi.

“Putin’s premeditated, unprovoked war is an attack on the Ukrainian people and an attack on democracy – and the House remains steadfast in our commitment to partnering with President Biden and our allies to level swift, severe punishment and stand with the Ukrainian people,” added Pelosi.

The House was already set to vote on a bill revoking normal trade relations with Russia last week. However, Biden told Pelosi not to take a vote just yet until he could get US allies to back a plan to do so together, signaling bipartisan agreement to introduce the bill.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be making a virtual address to Congress on Wednesday, Pelosi announced in a joint letter with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. The address is open only to members of Congress. Lawmakers who are not vaccinated will be required to wear a mask if they are attending.

The virtual address by Zelenskyy also follows a zoom meeting that took place earlier this month with the Ukrainian leader and around 300 members of the House and the Senate.