House passes bill to suspend normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus

The House of Representatives passed a bill to suspend normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus, the latest effort by U.S. lawmakers to inflict economic pain on the Kremlin for its unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine.

The final vote was 424-8 with strong bipartisan support for the legislation, which will next head to the Senate.

The bill was introduced by House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal, a Massachusetts Democrat, along with the panel's ranking GOP member, Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas.

The Biden administration will additionally be obligated to push for Russia’s removal from the World Trade Organization and oppose Belarus joining the group, which would subject both to higher tariffs and steeper trade barriers.