The final tally was 86 in favor and 11 opposed. Lawmakers reached the measure after more than a year of negotiations, and it won strong bipartisan support. The bill will now have to be passed by the House of Representatives, which will reconvene after recess in September.
“The Senate's Republican leaders had not brought
The bill allows the president to temporarily waive certain
sanctions if doing so serves U.S. national interests and the president provides
Congress with a written justification. Sanctions may be lifted only after the
president certifies that Russia has signed a peace agreement accepted by
Ukraine’s lawful government, that Russia has fully ceased military actions
against Ukraine, and that Congress had an opportunity to review the decision
before it takes effect.