House Democrat Seeks to Force Action on Russia Sanctions Bill
House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., announced July 17 that he has filed a discharge petition to force House floor consideration of his bill to increase sanctions and export controls on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
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Meeks needs to collect signatures from a majority of House members for the bill to reach the floor. As of July 18, the petition had more than 90 signatures out of the 218 required.
Meeks and former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., introduced the Ukraine Support Act in April (see 2504150026). Since then, the legislation has stalled in committee.
The bill would sanction Russian financial institutions and oil and mining companies and Russia's supporters if Moscow refuses to end the war. It also would sanction tankers that violate the international price cap on Russian oil; seek to prevent exports of semiconductors to Russia and drone parts to Iran; and increase tariffs on Russian goods and services to 500%.
A Russia sanctions bill introduced in April by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., also hasn't advanced despite enjoying significant support (see 2507090023). But President Donald Trump said July 14 that he will impose 100% tariffs on countries that buy goods from Russia if no peace deal is reached in 50 days (see 2507140015).