Senators from both parties are expected to introduce legislation Wednesday that will threaten harsh new sanctions on Russia’s banking, energy, and defense industries to deter the Kremlin from further interference in U.S. elections. It’s been called the Deter Act and will be introduced by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Marco Rubio (R-FL). Reuters reports the act would require the U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to judge whether Russia or any other foreign government had engaged in election interference within 30 days of a vote. If the DNI found any evidence, mandatory sanctions would be imposed within 10 days on Russian banks and energy companies. It would also include blocking any U.S. assets of Russian political figures and business leaders. Russia has denied trying to influence U.S. elections, but intelligence and law-enforcement agencies believe Moscow tried to help Trump’s chances of winning in 2016.
