A bill suspends normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus, punishing countries by paving the way for higher tariffs on imports from them. The other bans imports of energy from Russia, including oil, coal and gas. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki made it clear Thursday that Biden would sign the bills, saying the sanctions were “something the president supports” and “requested.” The Senate voted unanimously on the two measures on Thursday morning. While the House voted overwhelmingly in favor of passing the legislation, the bills met with greater opposition there. Parliament voted in favor of trade relations by 420-3 and the other by 413-9 votes. Only three members – Republican Marjorie Taylor Green of Georgia, Thomas Massey of Kentucky and Matt Gaets of Florida – opposed both bills. While Parliament had already passed an overwhelming majority of such bills, the Senate has been confused by legislation for weeks. Kentucky GOP Senator Rand Paul opposed the proposed changes to Magnitsky International Law, fearing the new language would give too much power to the executive to prosecute those accused of human rights abuses. The senators eventually relented to Paul’s demands, maintaining the most stipulated statutes on human rights violations, but made the language permanent despite the wishes of some Republicans. Earlier this week, the Biden government announced additional sanctions on Russia’s major financial institutions and some Kremlin-linked individuals, including the two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin, as it appears to be increasing financial pressure on Russia and its allies. Putin after horrific images from the Ukrainian city of Bukha. The United States has also announced sanctions against Putin’s wife and daughter, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The United Kingdom later announced its own sanctions and the European Union was expected to follow suit, intensifying Western pressure on Moscow as the war now enters its second month. CNN’s Daniella Diaz, Alex Rogers, Kristin Wilson, Manu Raju, Betsy Klein, Kevin Liptak and Kaitlan Collins contributed to this report.
