The U.S. Congress has voted overwhelmingly to remove favorable trade status for goods from Russia and Belarus and to ban the import of Russian oil and other energy products.
In a rare display of unity, the Senate passed both bills unanimously. The House of Representatives passed the bills with huge majorities -- 420-3 on the trade bill and 413-9 on the oil embargo legislation -- clearing the way for the bills to be sent to President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign them into law.
The trade legislation relegates Russia and Belarus into a group with Cuba and North Korea as the only countries denied most-favored-nation status -- also known as permanent normal trade relations -- by the United States.
The status requires countries to guarantee one another equal tariff and regulatory treatment. Ending it for Russian and Belarusian products will mean higher tariffs on those products in the U.S. market.
The United States imported just under $30 billion in goods from Russia last year, including $17.5 billion in crude oil.
The energy measure puts into law Biden's previous executive order banning imports of Russian oil, natural gas, coal, and other petroleum products.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (Democrat-New York) said the legislation delivers a "painful, severe" financial blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin for invading Ukraine and overseeing alleged war crimes against civilians.
"Putin must absolutely be held accountable for the detestable, despicable war crimes he is committing against Ukraine: the images we have seen coming out of that country...are just pure evil," Schumer said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Democrat-California) hailed the latest action as a sign that the United States was "unwavering" in its commitment to support Ukraine and hold Russia to account.
"Putin's aggression and barbaric war crimes have horrified the world and demand a strong response," she said in a statement.
The trade legislation directs the U.S. Trade Representative's Office to work to persuade other members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to suspend most-favored-nation status for Russia, work to get the WTO to suspend Russia's membership, and work to block Belarus's entry into the WTO.