The Senate unanimously voted on Thursday to suspend normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus, sending the legislation to President Biden’s desk. He also voted in favor of banning all imports of oil and energy products from Russia, in an effort to further paralyze Russia’s economy and hold Russian President Vladimir Putin responsible for its war against Ukraine.
Both votes were 100-0, an unusual show of complete bipartisanship on Capitol Hill.
The House overwhelmingly approved its versions of both bills last month. The suspension of normal trade relations will make it easier for the president to impose tariffs on Russia, further weakening its economy.
Biden urged Congress to suspend normal trade relations with Russia last month, and issued an executive order banning imports of Russian oil, liquefied natural gas and coal. Belarus has been helping Moscow in its non-profit war against Ukraine.
- Biden calls Putin a “war criminal” in the harshest sentence since the invasion of Ukraine
“Putin must be absolutely responsible for the detestable and despicable war crimes he is committing against Ukraine: the images we have seen coming out of this country, especially the city of Bukha, are pure evil,” said Chuck Schumer, leader of most of the Senate. he said Wednesday.
Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen he told lawmakers Wednesday that the invasion of Ukraine by Russia will have “huge economic repercussions in Ukraine and beyond,” as people around the world experience rising prices for things like food, energy and gas. Yellen acknowledged that sanctions on Russia are raising the price of energy.
“We think it’s a big price to pay to punish Russia for what it’s doing in Ukraine, but energy prices are rising,” Yellen told lawmakers on Wednesday. “The price of wheat and corn Russia and Ukraine are increasing and the metals that play an important industrial role – nickel, titanium, palladium – that are incorporated into catalytic converters – the costs of these things are rising.
- In:
- Belarus
- Russia
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