WASHINGTON-Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement on a report that Republican leadership will delay action on the Senate sanctions bill because of an easily fixable origination ("blue slip") issue. The issue deals with the Constitutional requirement that all legislation that raises revenue must originate in the House of Representatives.
“This is nothing but a delay tactic and the public shouldn't be fooled by complex-sounding parliamentary procedure. If Republican leadership says we can't act on the Senate bill, here's an easy solution: let’s introduce an identical House version and we can vote on that instead.
“I predict this isn't the last excuse we'll hear for trying to slow this bill's momentum, but make no mistake, anything short of an up-or-down vote on this tough sanctions package is an attempt to let Russia off the hook.".
