House Passes Bill to Suspend Normal Trade Relations With Russia and Belarus

The bill would strip the 'favored' trade status for the two countries, paving the way for tariffs and other restriction

The House on Thursday easily passed a piece of legislation that would end normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus.

The Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act would strip Russia and Belarus of their “most favored nation” trade status, which paves the way for tariffs and other restrictions.

The bill overwhelmingly passed in a vote of 424-8, with only Republicans voting against the legislation. The eight Republicans who voted no are Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), Matt Gaetz (FL), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Thomas Massie (KY), Andy Biggs (AZ), Dan Bishop (NC), Glenn Grothman (WI), and Chip Roy (R-TX).

The legislation came less than a week after President Biden announced that he wanted to strip Russia of its current trade status. He also announced a plan to ban the import of Russian goods, including seafood, vodka, and diamonds. The bill now moves to the Senate, where there is a matching bill that Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said would be voted on soon.

The bill is part of the wider economic campaign against Russia the US has embarked on since the attack on Ukraine started. The pressure has done nothing to stop the fighting, but it is adding to the economic woes of ordinary Americans and Russians.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.