Sanders: White House backs Russia sanctions legislation

Sanders: White House backs Russia sanctions legislation
By Mallory Shelbourne - 07-23-17 09:41 AM EDT

New White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Sunday that the administration supports congressional sanctions against Russia.

"The administration is supportive of being tough on Russia, particularly in putting the sanctions in place," Huckabee Sanders told ABC's "This Week."

The press secretary's comments come as the House prepares to voteTuesday on the legislation, which places new sanctions on Moscow while also permitting lawmakers vote to block the administration from altering sanctions policy. The legislation passed the Senate last month.

The White House pushed Congress to ease the limitations on its ability to lift the sanctions, but the legislation is likely to go to Trump's desk this week without the changes.

Huckabee Sanders said the White House is happy with where the bill is now.

"The original piece of legislation was poorly written, but we were able to look at the House and Senate," she said. "And the administration is happy with the ability to do that, to make the changes that were necessary and we support where the legislation is now."