Dent, Lance back bipartisan bill to require congressional review of changes to Russian sanctions

U.S. Reps. Charlie Dent (R-PA) and Leonard Lance (R-NJ) cosponsored bipartisan legislation that was introduced on Tuesday to ensure Congress reviews any efforts to lift existing sanctions on Russia.

The Russian Sanctions Review Act, H.R. 1059, would require the president to certify before Congress that the Russian government has ceased activities that led to sanctions before those sanctions could be lifted. A 120-day review period would be required before the president could in any way alter the sanctions.

U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) introduced the bill in the House, and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) led the legislation in the Senate.

“Vladimir Putin’s aggressive actions in Ukraine and the repeated cyberattacks that Russia has carried out against U.S. government entities and individuals constitute a real threat to the democratic ideals that have long been held by the United States and our allies,” Dent said.

“Russia must earn sanctions relief through clear and definitive actions such as ceasing their occupation of Crimea, their aggression in Ukraine, and their malevolent activities directed at our government and our nation’s election system. Until that time arrives, we must remain vigilant in our commitment to upholding the rule of law through any means necessary, including targeted sanctions,” Dent added.

The United States has imposed sanctions against Russia on three separate occasions: for its cyber attacks during the 2016 presidential election, for its aggression in Ukraine and for its occupation of Crimea.

“Russia has meddled in the affairs of the United States and it has done nothing to show it seeks cooperation on the world stage,” Lance said. “Russia is a bad actor and it does not share American interests or values. I am absolutely against lifting sanctions against Russia and this legislation will ensure Congress gets the final say.”

Joining Dent and Lance as cosponsors were U.S. Reps. Tom Rooney (R-FL), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Mike Turner (R-OH), Patrick Meehan (R-PA) and Tom Cole (R-OK).