Arkansas US Rep. French Hill seeks classified briefing on Trump waiving Russia sanctions

U.S. Rep. French Hill said Saturday he’s seeking a classified briefing to explain President Donald Trump’s decision to waive sanctions against Russia days before they were to take effect.

The Republican congressman from central Arkansas’ 2nd Congressional District announced the request the day after Trump signed an executive order putting on hold the sanctions package that was in legislation the president signed last month named after the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. 

“We should be increasing economic pressure on Russia, not easing up,” Hill wrote in an X post. “We need to use every tool at our disposal, including fully implementing the Graham sanctions and my REPO Act, to squeeze Putin until he ends his illegal and barbaric war in Ukraine.”

Hill, who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, was a lead sponsor of the Rebuilding Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act, also known as the REPO Act, a 2024 law ordering the seizure of Russian sovereign assets held in the United States.

Lawmakers from both parties have criticized Trump’s decision to waive the sanctions. Hill has also opposed Trump’s plan to purchase diesel from Russia, which the president announced as an effort to address high fuel prices.

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Hill announced his request as he faces a reelection challenge from Democrat Chris Jones. Hill was first elected to the 2nd District in 2014.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has added the district to its “Red to Blue” program targeting Republican-held seats the party believes can be flipped. The Cook Political Report and Larry Sabato have recently moved the race in Democrats’ favor, from safely to likely Republican.