Less than 24 hours after the Senate overwhelming approved sanctions against Russia for meddling in the 2016 election, officials seized two American properties in Moscow, ordering the US to reduce its embassy staff by September 1.
JUST IN: Russia's Foreign Ministry tells U.S. to reduce Embassy staff in Moscow to 455 from September 1 pic.twitter.com/ANcABzMK4L
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 28, 2017
On Thursday, the Senate approved a comprehensive package, which included stiff economic sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea. The bill is awaiting President Trump's signature.
But the question that remains is if Trump will actually sign the bill, since it would also bar the commander-in-chief from easing or waiving penalties on Russia without Congressional approval. That's at odds with the Trump administration's past rhetoric calling for warmer relations with President Vladimir Putin's government.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
