The US Senate Thursday overwhelmingly passed legislation that could lead to new sanctions on Russia's energy sectors and prevent President Donald Trump from weakening or repealing sanctions against that country without congressional approval.

Senate bill S. 722, passed by a 98-2 vote, includes possible new sanctions on Iran in connection with that country's ballistic missile program.

The Russian sanctions amendment, aimed at punishing Russia for meddling in the US presidential election, may have a considerable impact on Russia's energy sector, as well as on the Trump administration's policy towards Moscow.

Here's a closer look at the issue:

CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL

Perhaps most importantly, the measure approved by the Senate would prevent the Trump administration from weakening or lifting sanctions against Russia without congressional approval.

The measure will "reestablish Congress, not the President, as the final arbiter of sanctions relief, considering that this Administration has been too eager -- far too eager in my mind -- to put sanctions relief on the table," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat-New York, on the Senate floor Wednesday.

The amendment effectively ends speculation that the Trump White House could end the sanctions regime put in place during the Obama administration, but the measure has received some pushback from the administration.

During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing Wednesday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that while he agreed that Russia should be "held accountable for its meddling in US elections," the president needs "flexibility to adjust sanctions to meet the needs of what is always an evolving diplomatic situation."

"Essentially, we would ask for the flexibility to turn the heat up when we need to, but also to ensure that we have the ability to maintain a constructive dialogue," Tillerson told the House panel.

Related: Find more content about Trump's administration in our news and analysis feature.

ADMINISTRATIVE OPTION

The Senate sanctions measure, if approved by the House and signed into law by Trump, strengthens sanctions on Russian energy projects, including pipeline investments in Russia, and allows for new sanctions on Russia's mining, metals, shipping and defense sectors.

But the White House may never impose any of the new punishments.

"There are some other strong sanctions that tighten financial services sanctions and energy cooperation with Russian firms beyond Russia's borders," said Elizabeth Rosenberg, director of the energy, economics and security program at the Center for a New American Security. "But whether they are implemented is up to the administration."

Rosenberg said few people expect the Trump administration to take a "tough stance implementing the measures, even though they are mandatory." Still, some deepwater joint ventures with Rosneft and other projects may be impacted by the strengthened sanctions and some companies may back off investments even if Trump never formally imposes the sanctions, Rosenberg said.

"Firms that could be exposed may go ahead and comply, just in case the administration has a change of heart or congress tries to force the issue," she said.

NEXT STEPS

The bill will need to be passed by the House of Representatives, but those efforts have yet to begin. A spokesman for House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Republican-California, declined to comment Thursday.

The bill is likely pass to the House by a margin that will easily override a potential veto threat from Trump, but the White House could work with House lawmakers to weaken the Russia sanctions before they become law, according to Kevin Book, managing director with ClearView Energy Partners.

"Neither Presidents nor leaders of Executive Branch agencies typically welcome legislative measures with potential to circumscribe their diplomatic option sets," Book said in a note Wednesday. "Whether President Trump might actually veto S. 722 with its Russia amendment, we would not rule out a veto threat as a tactic to soften bill language once the House begins drafting companion legislation."

--Brian Scheid, brian.scheid@spglobal.com

--Edited by Richard Rubin, richard.rubin@spglobal.com

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