WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Ryan cited a constitutional requirement that spending bills originate in the House of Representatives — a rule that can be bypassed if every member of the lower chamber of Congress agrees.
"We want to get this [sanctions bill] done and get this fixed as quickly as possible," Ryan said. "Right now, we don’t have unanimous consent with our friends on the other side of the aisle [House Democrats]" to act on the Senate bill.
Ryan added that he supports strong sanctions against Russia in response to allegations that Moscow meddled in the 2016 elections – charges that Russian officials strenuously deny.
Democrats in the House of Representatives are planning to introduce a Russia sanctions bill of their own, will be identical to the Senate legislation approved in a 98-2 vote last month, according to published reports.
