Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) indicated on Wednesday a willingness to vote on a bill that would impose sanctions on Russia due to its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
This revelation came shortly after Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) suggested that the Senate was poised to take action on the sanctions bill, which is spearheaded by Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Thune noted on Tuesday that support for the bill looks “very strong.”
When asked by reporters about the Senate’s proposal, Johnson remarked, “We don’t have all the details yet, but there’s interest from the House side, so we’ll have to take a look.”
He emphasized the need to send a clear message to Russia, stating, “Vladimir Putin has shown he is rational but doesn’t seem committed to genuine peace talks. We need to make that clear.”
Previously, Johnson had taken a firm stance against Russia regarding the ongoing conflict. However, his comments on Wednesday appeared to align with the Senate bill, which boasts over 80 co-sponsors and is gearing up for a possible review by President Trump.
Thune further mentioned that the Senate has made “significant progress” on the sanctions legislation, with hopes for it to be presented on the Senate floor soon.
“We’ve also pushed hard for Graham’s bipartisan sanctions bill, which will enhance President Trump’s negotiating position and aim to bring an end to the violence in Ukraine,” Thune added, expressing hope for swift consideration of the bill.
As discussions about the sanctions bill heat up, Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin, recently expressing disappointment about their interactions and suggesting that he doesn’t anticipate any changes from the Russian leader.
“I just don’t think he’s going to stop, and that’s unfortunate,” Trump said.
For several months now, Trump has sought to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.
On Tuesday, he reversed a Pentagon decision regarding the suspension of arms shipments to Ukraine, stating, “Putin wants to supply defensive weapons because of how he treats people. He also mentioned he wasn’t aware of who halted the cargo at the Pentagon.”
Graham noted that the Senate bill would include provisions granting Trump more authority over sanctions and plans to impose penalties on countries like China and India that purchase Russian energy.
Support for Ukraine has become a contentious topic within House GOP meetings since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022, with many conservatives advocating for increased funding and aid to Kyiv.
Nevertheless, in April 2024, Johnson oversaw the approval of approximately $61 billion in aid for Ukraine.
