WASHINGTON — The Senate easily passed legislation Thursday that would impose additional sanctions against Russia and limit the president's power to lift them in the future. 
 
 The Senate passed the bill, which also includes additional sanctions on Iran, by an overwhelming 98-2 vote with Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky. and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. voting against it. 
 
 The measure will now go to the House of Representatives where the path forward is not clear. "The speaker was a vocal proponent of the last round of sanctions and believes we must do more to hold Russia accountable," said AshLee Strong, a spokesperson for House Speaker Paul Ryan. "The Foreign Affairs Committee is reviewing the details in this latest sanctions package being voted on in the Senate, and after that we will determine a path ahead in the House." 
 
 If it passes the House, President Donald Trump would have to either sign or veto a bill that the White House has had little response to so far. 
 
 White House Principle Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the administration remains "committed" to the existing sanctions against Russia, calling them the "best tool" for compelling Russia to honor its commitments to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Asked if they felt handcuffed by the Senate actions, Sanders demurred, saying that because the process was still ongoing, there was no final product to weigh in on. 
 
 The sanctions are in response to a trio of Russian actions, including their interference in the 2016 election, engagement in Syria and invasion of Crimea. Trump has been reluctant to address Russian’s involvement and has repeatedly praised the country and President Vladimir Putin. 
 
 The addition of Russian sanctions to the bill was a rebuke to the president because it would prohibit the president from being able to lift them without Congressional approval. 
 
 Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had encouraged the Senate to hold off on more sanctions, saying that he’d like more time to try and work diplomacy with Russia. 
 
 “I would hope to allow the diplomatic efforts to attempt to make some progress,” Tillerson said earlier this week. “If we cannot make some progress, and I have told others in the Senate, I have had conversations with them, I may very well be coming to you and saying the time has come now to do this in order to motivate some movement on their part.” 
 
 But the Senate moved forward anyway. 
 
 Related: Senate Strikes Deal on Russia Sanctions 
 
 Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and co-author of the bill, said he’s been updating the State Department. 
 
 “We’ve been interacting with the state department and, again, we’ll see what happens,” he told reporters. 
 
 The sanctions would codify existing economic restrictions and place new ones in an effort to economically harm specific individuals and Russia's economy. 
 
 Sanctions would be placed on Russians who violate human rights, supply weapons to the Bashar al-Asad regime in Syria or who are involved in the Russian defense and intelligence industry. It also places additional sanctions on specific industries, including the country's mining, shipping and railway industry. 
 
 Sanders said he voted against the larger bill because he said sanctioning Iran could harm the Iranian nuclear deal. "I am strongly supportive of the sanctions on Russia included in this bill," Sanders said in a statement. "But I believe that these new sanctions could endanger the very important nuclear agreement that was signed between the United States, its partners and Iran in 2015." 
 
 In another challenge to Trump’s foreign policy, the measure also “reaffirm the strategic importance” of NATO. While Trump recently said he, too, supports NATO, he failed to do so at a NATO meeting in Brussels, worrying the alliance’s supporters and members. ||||| Story highlights The Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill 98-2 
 
 The bill hits Russia with new sanctions as punishment for its interference in US elections 
 
 (CNN) The Senate was nearly unanimous on Thursday passing a bill that would slap Russia with new sanctions and give Congress the power to review any White House attempts to roll them back. 
 
 The Senate approved the bill 98-2, with Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky and Independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont voting against the measure. The bill, which includes both Russian and Iranian sanctions, now heads to the House, which still needs to pass it before it goes to President Donald Trump's desk. 
 
 The measure is widely seen as a rebuke to Trump, as it hits Russia with new sanctions to punish Moscow for its interference in US elections, as well as over Moscow's aggression in Ukraine and Syria. 
 
 The bill establishes a review process for Congress to have a say whether the White House eases Russia sanctions. It also establishes new sanctions against those conducting cyberattacks on behalf of the Russian government as well as supplying arms to Syrian President Bashar Assad, and it allows for sanctions to hit Russia's mining, metals, shipping and railways sectors. 
 
 "We moved to make the Congress, not the President, the final arbiter of sanctions relief when necessary," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said. "Any idea of the President that he can lift sanctions on his own for whatever reason are dashed by this legislation." 
 
 Read More ||||| The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly passed legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia and giving Congress the ability to block President Trump from lifting current penalties. 
 
 Senators voted 98-2 on the bill, which also includes new sanctions targeting Iran’s ballistic missile development, support for terrorism, transfer of weapons and human rights violations. Sens. Rand Paul Randal (Rand) Howard PaulRNC spokeswoman: ObamaCare repeal possible if GOP keeps House The Hill's Morning Report — Sponsored by Better Medicare Alliance — Trump seeks `home run’ candidate to succeed Justice Kennedy Paul says police arrested man who threatened to kill him and his family MORE (R-Ky.) and Bernie Sanders Bernard (Bernie) SandersOvernight Energy: Pruitt out as EPA chief | Former aides describe culture of fear | GOP lawmakers relieved by Pruitt's exit Election Countdown: Calls to abolish ICE test Dem candidates | First round of House GOP 'Young Guns' | How Tester is handling Trump's Montana visit | Dem candidate won't back Schumer as leader | Super PACs ramp up Missouri ad buys Bernie Sanders: Pruitt was 'the worst EPA administrator in the history of the agency' MORE (I-Vt.) voted against the measure. 
 
 The legislation marks the Senate’s most significant check on the Trump administration’s foreign policy, which has flirted with lifting sanctions in an bid to entice Moscow into an agreement. 
 
 The bill now heads to the House, where it faces an uncertain future amid signs of pushback from the administration. 
 
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 Secretary of State Rex Tillerson appeared to use a House Foreign Affairs hearing this week to telegraph concerns about the bill, warning lawmakers against undercutting “constructive dialogue” with Russia. 
 
 "I would urge Congress to ensure any legislation allows the president to have the flexibility to adjust sanctions," he told lawmakers. 
 
 Those comments appeared to have little impact in the Senate, where the legislation was expected to get wide bipartisan support after GOP Sens. Mike Lee Michael (Mike) Shumway LeePence met with several Supreme Court hopefuls: report The Hill's Morning Report — Sponsored by Better Medicare Alliance — Trump seeks `home run’ candidate to succeed Justice Kennedy Matt Schlapp: With Brett Kavanaugh, America will have a bold, brilliant Supreme Court justice MORE (Utah) and Rand Paul (Ky.) were the only lawmakers to oppose including the Russia sanctions deal in the legislation. 
 
 The overwhelming support for new Russia sanctions comes as four congressional committees are investigating Russia’s election interference, including potential ties between the Trump campaign and Moscow. Special counsel Robert Mueller, who oversees the FBI’s probe, is also looking into whether Trump tried to obstruct justice, according to The Washington Post. 
 
 Republicans for months held off on backing tougher Russia penalties giving the administration space to try to improve relations with the Kremlin despite bipartisan skepticism in Congress. 
 
 But GOP senators pointed to lingering frustration over election interference and few signs of progress in Syria, where Moscow supports President Bashar Assad, as factors in their push to pass new penalties. 
 
 “The United States needs to send a strong message to Vladimir Putin and any other aggressor that we will not tolerate attacks on our democracy. There’s no greater threat to our freedoms than attacks on our ability to choose our own leaders free from foreign interference,” said Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainTrump bashes 'liberal Democrat Jon Tester' in Montana: He says one thing and does another GOP Senate candidate’s husband spreads conspiracy theories online: report RNC spokeswoman: ObamaCare repeal possible if GOP keeps House MORE (R-Ariz.). 
 
 The Russia legislation would impose new sanctions on any individuals tied to "malicious cyber activity," supply weapons to Assad's government or are tied to Russia's intelligence and defense sectors. 
 
 It would also give Congress 30 days — or 60 days around the August recess — to review and potentially block Trump from lifting or relaxing Russia sanctions, codify the sanctions on Russia imposed by executive order by the Obama administration, and allow the Trump administration to impose new sanctions on sectors of the Russian economy. 
 
 Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) added that the restrictions on lifting sanctions are more closely tied to lawmakers reasserting their authority on sanctions that Congress implements than in imposing a check on Trump. 
 
 “This is not a hostile amendment. This is an amendment saying we've learned our lesson as a body. We should actually apply this. This is not a partisan issue. Whether it is a Republican or Democrat president is irrelevant in this issue. If Congress creates sanctions, Congress should not release the authority to make decisions on and off,” he said from the Senate floor. 
 
 Speaker Paul Ryan Paul Davis RyanFourth Ohio State wrestler claims Jordan knew about sexual abuse Election Countdown: Calls to abolish ICE test Dem candidates | First round of House GOP 'Young Guns' | How Tester is handling Trump's Montana visit | Dem candidate won't back Schumer as leader | Super PACs ramp up Missouri ad buys Ohio State sex scandal complicates Jordan’s possible Speaker bid MORE (R-Wis.) hasn’t publicly commented on the bill, but has previously voiced support for stronger sanctions and warned Trump earlier this year against lifting penalties against Moscow. 
 
 Sen. Bob Corker Robert (Bob) Phillips CorkerAmerica stands to lose as China places bets on developing world The Hill's Morning Report — Sponsored by Better Medicare Alliance — Trump girds for battle as Supreme Court announcement nears Overnight Defense: Pompeo to visit Pyongyang July 5 | White House says US, Russia 'agree to disagree' on Crimea | Pentagon denies Germany troop audit tied to Trump MORE (R-Tenn.), the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, also argued this week that the House has shown an appetite for passing new Russia sanctions bill. The lower chamber passed legislation late last year that would have targeted Russia and Iran for their backing of Assad. 
 
 Thursday’s vote capped off roughly a week and a half of negotiations over attaching new Russia penalties to the Iran sanctions bill, which already had brought bipartisan support. 
 
 A swath of lawmakers—including leadership, Corker, Sen. Mike Crapo Michael (Mike) Dean CrapoGOP senators introduce bill to prevent family separations at border All the times Horowitz contradicted Wray — but nobody seemed to notice Senate Dems want watchdog to probe if SEC official tried to pressure bank on gun policies MORE (R-Idaho), top Democrats on the Senate Banking and Foreign Relations committees and Sens. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamOvernight Energy: Pruitt out as EPA chief | Former aides describe culture of fear | GOP lawmakers relieved by Pruitt's exit Trump: 'No final straw' on Pruitt GOP lawmakers relieved with Pruitt’s departure MORE (R-S.C.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jeanne Shaheen Cynthia (Jeanne) Jeanne ShaheenFemale lawmakers, candidates must be the voice for women worldwide GOP lawmakers plan official visit to Russia later this week Dem senator: If Nielsen doesn't reunite families, 'she should resign' MORE (D-N.H.)—were locked in negotiations for roughly a week trying to hash out an agreement. 
 
 Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Charles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerPelosi slams Trump's 'despicable attacks' on Waters at rally Trump bashes 'liberal Democrat Jon Tester' in Montana: He says one thing and does another Election Countdown: Calls to abolish ICE test Dem candidates | First round of House GOP 'Young Guns' | How Tester is handling Trump's Montana visit | Dem candidate won't back Schumer as leader | Super PACs ramp up Missouri ad buys MORE (D-N.Y.) praised the legislation ahead of the vote, noting it would send a signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin and show lawmakers can still work together. 
 
 “The final result is a very good one for our country, because… the U.S. Senate said to Mr. Putin in no uncertain terms, that when he violates the international norms and interferes with our election, he will not escape reproach,” Schumer said. 
 
 In addition to passing new Russia penalties, the Senate also voted to include a bipartisan amendment on Thursday morning that stressed the Senate’s support for NATO and the Article Five requirement that member states defend each other if one of them is attacked. 
 
 The Trump administration's warmer tone toward Moscow and skepticism of NATO has sparked bipartisan backlash on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers are deeply skeptical of Putin. 
 
 Trump omitted committing the NATO’s “Article Five” during a meeting in Brussels late last month, before pledging to support the requirement during a press conference last week with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis. 
 
 The administration has gone back-and-forth over lifting sanctions on Russia. 
 
 Gary Cohn, director of the White House National Economic Council, said last month that the administration wouldn't weaken Russia sanctions, adding that, "If anything, we could probably look to get tougher." 
 
 Cohn's comments were a clarification of earlier remarks in which he said the president didn't have a position on Russia sanctions. 
 
 The administration has also sparked concern over reports that it could hand back two diplomatic compounds in the United States to Russia.
– Both sides of the aisle came together in the Senate on Thursday to overwhelmingly pass legislation that puts new sanctions on Russia while limiting President Trump's ability to remove them, the Hill reports. "Any idea of the president that he can lift sanctions on his own for whatever reason are dashed by this legislation," CNN quotes Sen. Chuck Schumer as saying. The legislation, which was passed by a 98-2 vote, seeks to punish Russia for its meddling in the US election and actions in Ukraine and Syria. NBC News reports the sanctions target Russian individuals who give weapons to the Assad regime, violate human rights, or are involved in the defense and intelligence industries. They also target Russia's shipping, mining, and railway industries. If the legislation passes the House, it would head to Trump for signing. The White House hasn't weighed in on the legislation but says it's "committed" to the existing Russian sanctions. The Trump administration had considered lifting Russian sanctions in the past, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson opposed the new legislation, worrying it could hurt the US' ability to have a "constructive dialogue" with Russia. Regardless, GOP senators believe Trump would sign it, with Sen. Bob Corker saying: "Look, this bill is going to become law." The two dissenting votes were Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Bernie Sanders. Sanders says he's worried the legislation, which also includes sanctions against Iran, could hurt the Iranian nuclear deal.