Rep. Kyrsten Sinema adds anti-terrorism measure to Russia sanctions

PHOENIX — For two years, U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) has been working to put a dent in the flow of money to terrorists.

Her efforts paid off Wednesday, when the sanctions imposed on Russia were signed into law by President Trump and included Sinema’s measure on illicit financing.

“I’m very excited,” the three-term congresswoman told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News.

“The traditional war against terrorism hasn’t been working as well as we would have hoped,” she said.

“The government hasn’t had a comprehensive or effective strategy for the last 10 years or so. Let’s combat them where we know they have a lot of power – their money.

“If we can stop the flow of money to these terrorist groups, we can cripple them at the knees.”

Her portion of the bill requires the federal government to create a strategy to combat illicit financing, a tool that “terrorists like ISIS use to control territory and grow their groups.”

Besides targeting oil and mining industries in Russia, the legislation Trump signed also imposed financial sanctions against Iran and North Korea.

The sanctions were put in place to crack down on Russia for meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed the bill in overwhelming fashion.

The House voted 419-3 and the Senate 98-2.

Related

Scattered showers, thunderstorms expected to hit metro PhoenixBoy injured in shooting involving off-duty Mesa officer, security guard outside venueChef behind acclaimed LeDu Thai in downtown Phoenix opens supper club in uptownPinal County rezones 4,695 acres of state land for potential massive employment hubMayich attorney: ASU hockey coach replaced phone after workout, hasn’t ‘done anything right’Donald Trump plans Oct. 14 rally in Bullhead City as Arizona votes early