Corker said during a meeting on Thursday that the committee would take up new financial penalties unless the Trump administration can show progress in U.S.-Russian negotiations over Syria, where Moscow supports Syrian President Bashar Assad.

"I've committed to mark up Russia sanctions legislation in the event, the probable event, that the secretary of state cannot show us that there's a change of trajectory," Corker said during a business meeting, according to Reuters

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The comments are a marked shift for Corker, who has held off backing new Russia penalties even as they've gained bipartisan support.

He said earlier this month that the committee wouldn't take up legislation in the foreseeable future, arguing it would only worsen the U.S.-Russia relationship. He's also warned against getting ahead of the Senate Intelligence Committee's investigation into Moscow's election interference and possible collusion with President Trump's campaign.

“I welcome Chairman Corker’s commitment that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will mark up a sanctions bill on Russia after the Senate returns from the Memorial Day recess in June, pending a discussion with Secretary Tillerson ... and take committee action in time for the bill to move to the Senate floor before the July 4th recess," he said.

The Senate has left town for the weeklong Memorial Day recess and won't return to Washington until June 5. It'll be in Washington for less than a month before they leave for a weeklong July 4 recess.

Cardin noted that if Tillerson doesn't speak with committee members during the first week of June, he's expected to testify publicly "shortly after the next work period begins."