Two U.S. Democrats cross aisle to help tee up final vote on Russia sanctions bill

The U.S. House has advanced legislation that would grant President Donald Trump tariff authorities on countries who purchase Russian energy and extend existing sanctions on Iran, clearing a major procedural hurdle, The Hill reported.

The rule, teeing up a final vote on the legislation, appeared headed for defeat until two Democrats — for the second time in as many weeks — broke precedent and voted to advance the measure. Reps. Jared Golden (Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.) also broke with Democrats on a rule vote earlier this month, shocking House Democratic leaders.

Rule votes are typically seen as a test of party loyalty, and it is unusual for Democrats to cross the aisle in support of them, according to The Hill.

Their votes brought the tally to 214-211 on the rule that included the Russia sanctions bill —championed by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) — teeing up a debate and final vote on the legislation. 

The rule vote served as a victory for the bill’s backers, like Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), who overcame pushback from both inside the GOP and from Democrats. Before Tuesday’s vote, the resistance left some predicting the bill was “dead again” following nearly a year and a half of negotiations.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), who voted with Democrats against the bill, told The Hill he got an agreement with GOP leaders to take action on the issue of fuel cost reduction.

“I just want to make sure America gets some reduction in fuel costs, and the greedy fuel companies are sticking it to us, and we don’t have the guts to do anything about it,” he said. He added that GOP leaders promised they would get a measure on the floor to deal with the matter. “They’re going to do something. Let us vote on something that would hopefully reduce the price of fuel, but we’ll see,” Burchett said.