US President Donald Trump plans to sign legislation slapping punitive sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea that the Congress approved this week, the White House has said.
The legislation bars Trump from easing or waiving the penalties on Russia unless Congress agrees.
In its statement, the White House said Trump “negotiated regarding critical elements” of early drafts of the Bill and approved the final draft “based on its responsiveness to his negotiations.” The Senate passed the Bill, 98-2, two days after the House of Representatives pushed the measure through by an overwhelming margin, 419-3. Both were veto-proof numbers.
“President Donald J Trump read early drafts of the bill and negotiated regarding critical elements of it,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a late-night statement.