Biden Amin. Expands Sanctions Against Russia; House Moves to Hold AG Garland in Contempt

President Joe Biden will arrive at the G7 summit in Italy armed with over 300 new sanctions aimed at further isolating and financially weakening Russia. The measures are “guided by G7 commitments to intensify the pressure on Russia,” according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and they mark the latest attempt to limit the Kremlin’s revenues and hamper Moscow’s ability to source materials for its war in Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed his frustration about Hamas submitting “numerous changes” to a U.S.-backed proposal for a cease-fire and the release of hostages in Gaza—a development that casts further doubt on the prospects of quickly securing a deal the United States hopes will bring “an enduring end” to the war. Mr. Blinken did not go into specific details about the changes, but continued to cast exclusive blame for the stalling of the deal—and the prolonging of the suffering of the people of Gaza—on the Hamas terrorist group, and not on Israel.

The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a resolution holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over audio files of President Biden’s interview in his classified documents case, a move that comes just weeks after the White House blocked the release of the recording to lawmakers. The contempt action represents House Republicans’ latest and strongest rebuke of the Justice Department and of Mr. Garland’s leadership.