WASHINGTON — The House voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to strip Russia of its preferential trade status with the United States and further punish the country’s economy in response to Ukraine’s invasion.
The 424 to 8 unilateral vote came after President Biden announced last week that the United States and its European allies would take new steps to isolate Russia from the global trading system. The legislation would allow the United States to impose higher tariffs on Russian goods. All lawmakers who opposed the measure were Republicans.
The bill is the latest in a series of measures passed by lawmakers to support Ukraine and punish Russia for its invasion. Others include a ban on Russian gas and oil products and, perhaps more importantly, a $13.6 billion military and humanitarian aid package.
New York Democrat and Majority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer said he would work to get the bill passed by the House “quickly” through the Senate.
The House vote came a day after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a blazing video link to Congress urging lawmakers to do more to help his country and punish Russia. His speech, as well as a heartbreaking video showing a Russian-inflicted massacre in his country, hung around the House on Thursday as lawmakers debated the trade law.
Mr. Zelensky “showed us the absolute horrors that Russia inflicts on the Ukrainian people in full view of the world,” said Massachusetts Democrat Representative Richard E. Neal and the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. “And he begged us to do more. With the legislation before us at this hour, we intend to answer his call.”
Ana Swanson reporting contributed.