Bipartisan US senators introduce bill to tighten oversight of Russia sanctions

A bipartisan group of US senators introduced legislation Friday aimed at strengthening congressional oversight of sanctions on Russia and preventing Moscow from benefiting economically amid global conflicts.

The proposed “No Oil Profits for Enemies” (NOPE) Act was unveiled by Republicans Ruben Gallego and Chuck Grassley, with support from Democrats Richard Blumenthal, Roger Wicker and Tim Kaine.

The bill seeks to expand the scope of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), a 2017 law that requires congressional review before the executive branch can significantly alter sanctions policy toward Russia.

Lawmakers said the new measure would close gaps that allow certain sanctions, particularly those imposed after Russia’s 2022 war against Ukraine, to be lifted or modified without the same level of scrutiny.

"By easing sanctions on Russia, (President) Donald Trump is bankrolling Putin’s war in Ukraine and helping Iran target American troops in the Middle East," Gallego said in a statement.

Grassley emphasized Congress’ role in overseeing foreign policy decisions, particularly those involving sanctions.

Grassley, for his part, said it is important that any effort to ease sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin be reviewed by Congress to ensure accountability.

The legislation would require the administration to notify Congress before lifting, waiving, or modifying a broader range of sanctions, triggering a 30-day review period.

The Trump administration initially loosened restrictions on Russian oil exports that were stranded at sea after the war with Iran rattled energy markets, with the goal of lowering oil prices by allowing countries to legally purchase hundreds of millions of barrels of crude oil that the US had blacklisted.