WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s imposition of new sanctions against Russia for its use of chemical weapons in the attempted murder of two individuals in the United Kingdom:

“This long overdue decision finally brings the Administration into compliance with the law, and I commend Chairman Royce for keeping up the pressure on the White House to act. The death of another British citizen and sickening of others due tothe same chemical weapon make these sanctions all the more necessary.

“The use of chemical or biological weapons cannot be tolerated, and I urge the Administration to use every tool at its disposal to make clear to Russia that such reckless and dangerous behavior has no room on the world stage. At the same time, the Administration has much more to do to push back on Russia’s other aggressive behavior, most notably Moscow’s ongoing attack on American democracy.”

Background: 

The sanctions announced yesterday were mandated by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act, which Congress passed in 1991. 

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