WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today released the following statement:

“The sanctions imposed by the Administration today are welcome step and the right thing to do. Still, it's long past time that they acted against President Putin’s cronies, and the sanctions announced today relied on authorities issued by President Obama before he left office.

“These are tough designations. But the sweeping scope of Russian aggression will require a comprehensive strategy. I fear that individual announcements—as important as they are—will do little to deter Russia from continuing to attack our democracy and carry out the rest of its harmful agenda around the world.

“If the White House is serious about protecting our country, it needs to get much smarter and much tougher in dealing with Russia.”

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