Trade groups mount quiet campaign to weaken Senate sanctions bill on Russia

Trade groups representing some of the nation's biggest financial services and energy firms are using the recess to urge lawmakers and their staff to soften Russian sanctions legislation.

The groups, including the U.S.-Russia Business Council and the National Foreign Trade Council, are meeting with lawmakers and staff in an effort to prevent the bill from moving forward.

The bill would impose sanctions on the Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport as well as Gazprom and other energy firms. It would also authorize restrictions on Russian banks from doing business with the U.S. banking system while codifying the administration's current sanctions.

Read the full article in The Hill.