WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Senate will vote on the bill to sanction Russia, Iran and North Korea after 5 p.m., Republican staffers said in a statement.
"At 5:00 p.m. [9:00 p.m. GMT] today the Senate will vote on the following… Passage of H.R. 3364, the Sanctions bill," the Republican Senate Cloakroom said via Twitter on Thursday, referring to the bill to sanction Russia, Iran and North Korea.
The Senate Press Gallery said the vote on the sanctions bill would commence after lawmakers discuss a separate amendment.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the voting on the bill would likely begin at 5:30 p.m.
"Senate will vote at 5:30 on tough Russia sanctions pkg [package]. If passed goes straight to @POTUS [president of the United States] desk. Need to send [Russian President Vladimir] Putin a strong, clear message," Schumer said in a Twitter post.
The legislation punishes Russia for its alleged interference in the 2016 election, as well as its military activities in Ukraine, Crimea and Syria.
The legislation also limits the US president's ability to ease any sanctions on Russia by requiring Congress' approval to lift any restrictions.
Russia denies allegations that it interfered in the US election, insisting that it does not meddle in the internal affairs of other countries.
Earlier on Thursday, Russia's President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow continues to show restraint and patience for Western sanctions, but at some point, it will have to respond to arrogance.
Putin noted the sanctions against Russia are illegal from the point of view of international law and World Trade Organization norms.
