The attempt by US Democrats to prevent the Treasury Department from lifting sanctions on EN+ Group, Rusal and JSC EuroSib Energo is nothing more than a "political stunt," Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 16th January, 2019) The attempt by US Democrats to prevent the Treasury Department from lifting sanctions on EN+ Group, Rusal and JSC EuroSib Energo is nothing more than a "political stunt," Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday."The democratic leader ... intends to bring a privileged and political stunt of a motion related to the administration's use of sanctions against Russia," McConnell said in remarks on the Senate floor, in reference to Schumer's move.
Earlier on Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would force the chamber to vote on a resolution blocking the Treasury's decision to lift sanctions on the three Russian companies.
Also on Tuesday, US House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer introduced a similar resolution in the Congress' lower chamber to block the Treasury Department from lifting the sanctions.
The Treasury on December 19 announced that it would roll back its sanctions on EN+, Rusal and JSC EuroSib Energo after the three firms agreed to sweeping structural changes that will improve transparency and reduce the ownership of Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska, who will remain on the US blacklist.
The Congress has the legal authority to block the decision, but if it does not act, and the Treasury does not delay the move, the sanctions will be lifted on Friday, January 18.
