Bloomberg: ‘Sanctions from hell’ bill against Russia stalls in U.S. House of Representatives

A bill imposing new sanctions on Russia may be delayed until after the U.S. midterm elections in November, according to Bloomberg news agency. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who championed the bill during the final year of his life, proposed it to give the U.S. president the power to impose 100% tariffs on countries that are major importers of Russian oil.

The legislation, which expands President Donald Trump's tariff authority and could raise fuel prices, is unlikely to be voted on before the midterms. The Senate passed the bill, known as the "sanctions bill from hell," in early August, with senators voting in memory of Graham. However, the measure faces less support in the House of Representatives, where Democrats are concerned that Trump could use it as a legal basis for new import tariffs.

Big business representatives have also raised objections, warning that the bill could lead to unintended consequences for consumers by imposing tariffs on U.S. trade partners and allies. The bill would impose 100% tariffs on five countries that are the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, though the names of the countries are not disclosed.