Senate unites to limit president's powers in lifting existing penalties

BEIJING - As the US Senate passed new sanctions against Russia on Thursday, the new legislation will possibly fan the flames of already tumultuous Washington politics and make rapprochement between the former Cold War foes, something President Donald Trump desires, even more difficult to achieve.

The legislation, an amendment to sanctions on Iran, is aimed at restricting Teheran's ballistic missile programs and punishing it for "supporting terrorism".

The Senate, building upon the bipartisan agreement reached earlier this week, backed the legislation with a 98-2 vote. The only two "no" votes were cast by Republican Rand Paul and independent Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with the Democrats.

With regard to Russia, the bill, which includes a mandatory congressional-review process to limit Trump's executive power in lifting existing Russia sanctions, is one of the strongest responses from the US Congress to alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election to date.

The new sanctions are designed to target, among others, "those conducting malicious cyber activity on behalf of the Russian government" and "those doing business with the Russian intelligence and defense sectors", according to a news release by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

They also penalize vital sectors of Russia's resource-rich economy, including mining, metals, shipping and railways.

The Senate approval came as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the former CEO of oil giant ExxonMobil who received an Order of Friendship from Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2013, asked lawmakers to grant "flexibility" to the White House in dealing with Russia.

Tillerson said on Wednesday that Congress should ensure that "any legislation allows the president to have flexibility to adjust sanctions to meet the needs of what is always an evolving diplomatic situation".

Tillerson previously warned the danger of shutting down what he said was "a potentially productive conversation" with Russia, for example, on Syria. He said stepping up sanctions would lead to Russia curtailing progress on Syria.

Hands tied

The legislation is a manifestation of concerted will from both sides of the aisle to have Trump's hands tied when he makes Russia-related decisions. In a sign of the often polarized Congress, the bill could potentially widen the rift between the legislative and executive branches of the US government.

Trump has since his election been engulfed in accusations of - and now investigations into - his campaign team's alleged collusion with Russia to tip the election his way.

Trump has lashed out at the investigators as "very bad and conflicted people", responding angrily to reports that the special counsel is looking into whether Trump obstructed justice.

On Thursday, Trump called special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference a "witch hunt" based on the "phony" premise of possible collusion between Russia and a cadre of Trump campaign associates.

The president complained the probe is unfair and wondered why his defeated Democratic opponent wasn't getting the same scrutiny.

"Why is that Hillary Clintons family and Dems dealings with Russia are not looked at, but my non-dealings are?" he tweeted.

In Russia, at a four-hour event aired on TV, Putin called the Russian meddling allegations a reflection of "exacerbating political infighting" in Washington, while reaffirming Russia's commitment to seeking normalization of ties with the US. "We don't see America as our enemy," he said.

Xinhua - Ap