WorldPosted at: Sep 17 2026 1:07PM


US House passes Russia sanctions bill, clearing way for tariffs of up to 100 pc on India among others

Washington, Sep 17 (UNI) The US House of Representatives has passed a sweeping sanctions bill targeting Russia’s energy sector, officials and its “shadow fleet” of tankers, giving President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas, including India.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 passed the House by 262-159 on September 16 and will now be sent to Trump for his signature. The Senate had already approved the legislation by an 86-11 vote.
The legislation does not itself impose a 100 per cent tariff on Indian goods. Instead, it gives the President the authority to levy such tariffs on major purchasers of Russian energy or countries helping Moscow evade sanctions.
In the House vote, 203 Republicans, 58 Democrats and one Independent supported the bill, while seven Republicans and 152 Democrats voted against it.
The measure also extends sanctions on Iran and targets Russia’s energy and defence sectors as well as vessels involved in evading existing sanctions. Its passage marks a significant congressional move to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
Democratic opposition largely centred on the expanded tariff powers granted to Trump, despite support among many Democrats for tougher measures against Russia.
“Life is way too expensive in the United States of America. Why in the world would this Congress or the People’s House give this president unfettered authority to visit more tariffs on the world that will have an adverse economic impact on the American people?” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, explaining his “no” vote. “I can’t do it.”
Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also opposed the measure because of the tariff authorities granted to Trump.
“I don’t want to give you false hope. I want to give you real hope,” Meeks said on the House floor.
The legislation was championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who had worked with Democrats to build bipartisan support for tougher measures against Russia. Graham died suddenly in July at the age of 71.
The bill had remained stalled for months amid concerns over the scope of the tariff powers and Trump's preference for greater flexibility in negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Graham announced a breakthrough with the White House in July, shortly before his death.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the legislation ahead of the House vote, saying tougher sanctions were needed as the war continued.“It is important that sanctions measures in response to the war be strong.”
“This is not the time to ease the pressure. Now is the time to do everything to ensure that diplomacy succeeds through strength,” he added.
Supporters of the legislation said it would increase pressure on Russia's economy and strengthen U.S. backing for Ukraine at a time when Kyiv faces continued attacks on its infrastructure and a shortage of air-defence systems. Dan Goldman, one of the Democratic lawmakers who supported advancing the legislation, said Congress should continue to pressure Moscow.
“Must do everything within its power to ensure that a democratic Ukraine wins the war against an authoritarian Russia.”
Goldman also criticised Trump's approach to Russia while explaining his support for the bill. ''As lead counsel in the first impeachment of President Trump, I am uniquely familiar with his irrational and inexplicable fondness for Vladimir Putin, and I am well aware that he has done next to nothing to implement economic penalties on Russia as president,'' Goldman said. “Yet that is not a reason to oppose a bill that demands he do exactly that.”
Ukraine has increasingly relied on drone warfare to strike targets deep inside Russia, including infrastructure linked to the country's energy economy. The conflict has also continued to put pressure on Russia's oil revenues, which Washington has sought to curb through sanctions.
“This bill sends an unmistakable message: for so long as Putin continues to inflict suffering on Ukraine, Congress will continue to impose consequences on Putin,” said Daniel Balson, Director of Advocacy at Razom for Ukraine — a pro-Ukraine lobbying group.
Balson said that the measures contained in this bill will hit Putin where it "hurts most." "They will strike at the heart of his war machine, weaken his economy, and target those who continue to bankroll the Kremlin by importing Russian energy,” Balson added.
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