US House Passes Sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill, Sends It to Trump
The House passed a major Russia sanctions package aimed at cutting the financial networks sustaining Moscow’s war against Ukraine and increasing pressure on Putin.
On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives approved a comprehensive sanctions and tariff bill, empowering President Donald Trump to impose tariffs up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian energy. This legislation, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, garnered 262 votes in favor and 159 against. It now proceeds to Trump's desk.
The Senate had previously endorsed the measure on August 11 with an 86-11 vote. Formulated by the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, the legislation aims to dismantle financial and logistical support that sustains Russia's war against Ukraine. Key targets include Russia's energy sector, defense suppliers, major financial institutions, and sanctions evasion networks.
A pivotal element of the bill is a secondary tariff mechanism designed to penalize countries that continue purchasing Russian oil and gas. President Trump could impose tariffs of up to 100% on nations buying substantial quantities of Russian energy or aiding Moscow in evading sanctions. Major importers like China and India may be impacted, contingent on the measures' execution.
The bill's backers posit its objective is to attenuate the flow of energy revenue that sustains Russia's military campaign. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who collaborated on the legislation with Graham, characterized the measures as "scorching sanctions" intended to "cripple Putin's war machine." The package also aims at Russia's clandestine fleet of oil tankers, sanctions foreign suppliers aiding Russia's defense industry, networks that circumvent existing restrictions, as well as Russian officials and military personnel.
It also restricts new US investments in Russia and exports that may bolster the Russian military. The bill is named after Graham, a prominent US supporter of Ukraine and a principal force behind the sanctions drive. Graham spent over a year building bipartisan support before his demise in July. This bill signifies one of Congress's most significant recent actions to intensify economic pressure on Russia as Ukraine persists in its defiance of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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