Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainCOVID response shows a way forward on private gun sale checks Trump pulls into must-win Arizona trailing in polls Nonprofit 9/11 Day bashes Trump for airing political ads on Sept. 11 anniversary MORE (R-Ariz.) said Tuesday that lawmakers are exploring how to move Russia sanctions legislation forward after a key Republican backed holding off on new financial penalties against Moscow.

"We will be looking at other options including the Senate Armed Services Committee," McCain, who chairs that committee, told reporters.

Asked if he was looking at trying to move Russia sanctions legislation through the Banking Committee, the Arizona Republican demurred but added that he, Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamGOP senators say coronavirus deal dead until after election Tucker Carlson accuses Lindsey Graham of convincing Trump to talk to Woodward Trump courts Florida voters with moratorium on offshore drilling MORE (R-S.C.) and "others will be looking hard at other options."

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McCain's comments come as Sen. Bob Corker Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerHas Congress captured Russia policy? Tennessee primary battle turns nasty for Republicans Cheney clashes with Trump MORE (R-Tenn.) signaled this week that the Foreign Relations Committee will hold off on taking up new Russia sanctions legislation.

Corker, who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters on Tuesday that he wanted to give the administration time to determine the "trajectory" of U.S.-Russia relations, which he said are at an "all time low."

"We can take it to a lower level by adding sanctions. That you know might make us feel good, but that's not an outcome that I think is good for our country," he told reporters.

A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation earlier this year that would slap new financial penalties on Russia over its meddling in the presidential election and ongoing conflicts in Russia and Syria.

Graham also introduced legislation earlier this year that would require congressional oversight before Trump could left Russia sanctions.

Though both bills have bipartisan support they've stalled in the Foreign Relations Committee.

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Corker noted that the Banking Committee had previously considered sanctions bill.

"Many times those types of bills go through the Banking Committee ... and [they] may well do that," he said.

Corker left the door open on Tuesday to passing additional sanctions legislation in the future if the Trump administration isn't able to improve its relationship with Moscow.

But McCain argued that delaying Russia sanctions could signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he's getting a "blank check."

McCain and Graham also said in a joint statement that "now is not the time to send a signal to Russia that all is forgotten or forgiven."

"It is time for the Senate to take real action, including increased sanctions, to punish Russia’s destabilizing behavior and counter its malign influence," Graham and McCain said.

The Trump administration has been hesitant to take firm action against Moscow, though the president's rhetoric against Russia has toughened since the campaign, where he repeatedly praised Putin and suggested that the U.S. would pursue friendly relations.

This story was updated at 2:17 p.m.