GOP senate backs end to sanctions on firms tied to Putin ally

The Senate blocked a Democratic bid to force the Treasury Department to keep sanctions on three Russian companies linked to oligarch Oleg Deripaska, as most Republicans backed the Trump administration’s plan to lift the penalties.

The 57-42 Senate vote Wednesday was three short of the 60 needed to advance the Democrats’ resolution to a final vote. As a result, the Treasury Department likely will be able to move forward with its plan announced December 19 to lift sanctions against three companies Deripaska controls – United Co. Rusal, En+ Group and EuroSibEnergo.