A bipartisan pair of senators on Tuesday asked the Treasury Department to impose financial sanctions on the 12 Russian intelligence officers indicted by special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE last week for allegedly hacking the emails of top Democratic Party officials.

In a Tuesday letter, Sens. Pat Toomey Patrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyAppeals court rules NSA's bulk phone data collection illegal Dunford withdraws from consideration to chair coronavirus oversight panel GOP senators push for quick, partial reopening of economy MORE (R-Pa.) and Chris Van Hollen Christopher (Chris) Van HollenCongress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate Mid-Atlantic states sue EPA over Chesapeake Bay pollution MORE (D-Md.) asked Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Steven Terner MnuchinHillicon Valley: DOJ proposes tech liability shield reform to Congress | Treasury sanctions individuals, groups tied to Russian malign influence activities | House Republican introduces bill to set standards for self-driving cars Treasury: Trump's payroll tax deferral won't hurt Social Security Treasury sanctions individuals, groups tied to Russian malign influence activities MORE to target the alleged cyber-criminals under sanctions enacted by President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE through executive orders and legislation he signed.

The Justice Department charged 11 members of Russia’s military intelligence wing (GRU) on July 13 with conspiring to illegally access and distribute the emails of Democratic Party leaders, candidates and political committees. Another was charged was attempting to infiltrate systems used to conduct state elections.

ADVERTISEMENT

Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated he will not surrender the 12 indicted Russian officers to the United States for prosecution.

Toomey and Van Hollen asked Mnuchin to exercise his “legal authority necessary to impose sanctions on individuals who engage in cyber activities intended to interfere in America’s elections.”

Trump in August 2017 signed a package of new financial sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea. The Treasury Department also targeted five entities and 19 individuals from Russia with sanctions on March 15 for their efforts to disrupt and manipulate the 2016 election. Those sanctions were issued under an executive order signed by Trump the same day.

Treasury in June also imposed sanctions on five companies and technology firms, as well as three executives from one of the companies, who are accused of aiding Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).

Toomey and Van Hollen said “it’s critical that the United States employ a comprehensive approach to confront and counter Russia’s malign behavior towards the United States, especially in order to defend the integrity of our elections.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Both lawmakers are members of the Senate Banking Committee, which has jurisdiction over financial sanctions. The panel’s chairman, Sen. Mike Crapo Michael (Mike) Dean CrapoBottom line Davis: The Hall of Shame for GOP senators who remain silent on Donald Trump Top GOP senator urges agencies to protect renters, banks amid coronavirus aid negotiations MORE (R-Idaho), said Tuesday that he’d hold hearings on stricter Russian sanctions amid growing concerns about Trump’s relationship with Russia.

Sens. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamSenate GOP aims to confirm Trump court pick by Oct. 29: report The Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot MORE (R-S.C.) and Bob Menendez Robert (Bob) MenendezKasie Hunt to host lead-in show for MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' Senators ask for removal of tariffs on EU food, wine, spirits: report VOA visa decision could hobble Venezuela coverage MORE (D-N.J.) said Tuesday they are working on legislation to slap new sanctions on Russia as Congress faces pressure to crack down in the wake of the summit between the president and Putin last week.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerHas Congress captured Russia policy? Tennessee primary battle turns nasty for Republicans Cheney clashes with Trump MORE (R-Tenn.) also pledged Tuesday to hold hearings on new Russian sanctions.



Senators have been weighing how to respond to the Kremlin after Trump refused to denounce Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election during a news conference alongside Putin in Helsinki.



Menendez and Graham said their bill would target Russia’s debt, energy and financial sectors, cyber actors, and oligarchs close to Putin. It would also ensure the 2017 sanctions legislation, which passed Congress overwhelmingly, is fully implemented.

Boosting sanctions on Russia’s debt and energy and financial sectors could create severe economic consequences that could potentially affect the U.S., however. Lawmakers scrapped planned sanctions on Russian oil last year after U.S. drillers and refineries expressed concerns that the provisions could halt American projects abroad.

Treasury also warned lawmakers in February that further sanctions on Russia’s debt or financial markets could devastate its economy so badly that they could provoke a military response from the Kremlin.

The department also said that banning U.S firms from Russian financial markets could disadvantage American businesses against European rivals that actively trade in the east.

“The magnitude and scope of consequences from expanding sanctions to sovereign debt and derivatives is uncertain and the effects could be born by both the Russian Federation and U.S. investors and businesses,” Treasury said.



