The United States passed a law to ban oil and gas imports from Russia as part of the US government’s efforts to isolate and punish the Kremlin for its attack on Ukraine, CNBC reported.
The legislation, passed unanimously by all 100 members of the chamber, prohibits the import of oil, gas, coal and other energy products from Russia. This comes almost a month after President Joe Biden signed an executive order ordering much the same measures.
The Senate bill overturns Biden’s executive order, making it harder for the next president to override it.
The ban on energy imports was approved immediately after the adoption of a law depriving Russia of the most favored nation treatment in trade with the United States. The legislation also provides for the termination of normal trade relations with Russia’s ally Belarus.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on these two bills tonight, where they will be supported by a large majority.