US Congress Sends Sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill to Trump

WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — WEB DESK: The US Congress has cleared sweeping legislation designed to increase economic pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine, sending the measure to President Donald Trump after the House of Representatives approved it in a bipartisan 262-159 vote on Wednesday.

The legislation, formally titled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, is named after the late Republican senator from South Carolina who spent more than a year negotiating and promoting the package.

The Senate had already approved the legislation in August by 86 votes to 11, meaning House passage cleared the remaining congressional hurdle. Trump is expected to sign the measure into law.

What Does the Russia Sanctions Bill Do?

The legislation targets key parts of the Russian economy that US lawmakers say help finance Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

It provides for sanctions targeting Russian officials, financial institutions and important areas of the country’s energy and defence sectors. It also targets Russia’s so-called shadow fleet — tankers used to move Russian oil while circumventing existing restrictions.

The legislation includes both primary and secondary sanctions designed to increase pressure not only on Russian entities but also on foreign actors supporting Russia’s war economy.

Supporters say reducing Moscow’s ability to earn revenue from energy exports could increase economic pressure on the Russian government as the Ukraine war continues.

Up to 100% Tariffs on Major Russian Energy Buyers

One of the bill’s most consequential provisions concerns countries that continue purchasing large quantities of Russian energy.

The legislation gives Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imported goods from major purchasers of Russian oil and gas.

The measure is particularly relevant to China and India, which are major purchasers of Russian energy. But the legislation does not mean an automatic 100% tariff has now been imposed on all Chinese or Indian goods.

Instead, it grants the president authority to impose such tariffs under the framework established by the legislation. Reuters reports that the measure is intended to push countries to reduce their reliance on Russian oil and gas.

That distinction is important for financial and trade coverage: the bill authorises tariffs of up to 100%; it does not automatically impose the maximum tariff on every Russian energy buyer upon enactment.

Why China and India Matter

Russia has relied heavily on energy exports for government revenue, while Asian markets have become increasingly important destinations for Russian crude since Western countries imposed extensive sanctions following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The new US legislation seeks to extend economic pressure beyond Russia itself by increasing the potential cost for major countries that continue buying Russian energy.

China and India are therefore likely to attract particular attention if Trump signs and subsequently implements the legislation’s tariff provisions.

However, the eventual impact will depend heavily on how the White House uses the powers granted under the law, including which countries are targeted, what tariff rates are selected and whether waivers or exceptions are applied.

Bill Also Extends Iran Sanctions

Despite being widely described as the Russia sanctions bill, the final legislation also contains provisions concerning Iran.

Reuters reports that Trump secured an extension of sanctions on Iran as part of negotiations over the legislation. The package extends those measures for another five years.

That provision helped secure White House support for the legislation.

The final title — the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 — reflects the expanded scope of the measure.

Bipartisan Passage, but Democrats Raise Concerns

The House vote showed bipartisan support but also exposed significant disagreements over the powers the legislation gives the president.

The bill passed 262-159, with 203 Republicans and 58 Democrats voting in favour, while seven Republicans opposed it.

Some Democrats raised concerns that the tariff authority could be used against US allies or applied more broadly than lawmakers intended.

Those critics did not necessarily oppose sanctions on Russia. Their objections focused partly on granting the executive branch expansive discretion over tariffs and the potential economic consequences for US trading partners.

Supporters, meanwhile, argue that strong secondary sanctions and tariff powers are necessary because targeting Russia alone may be insufficient while Moscow continues selling large volumes of energy internationally.

Zelenskyy Backed the Legislation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had urged US lawmakers to approve the measure as Kyiv seeks additional international economic pressure on Moscow.

The legislation represents one of the most significant recent congressional measures aimed at Russia’s ability to finance the Ukraine war.

Its supporters hope tougher sanctions will increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate.

Whether the measures achieve that objective remains uncertain and will depend on their implementation, international compliance, Russian responses and changes in global energy trade.

What Happens Next?

Following approval by both chambers of Congress, the legislation now goes to Trump.

The president is expected to sign it, according to Reuters and AP reporting.

Once signed, the legislation would become law, but the economic consequences would not necessarily occur simultaneously.

The White House would have considerable discretion over implementation of some provisions, particularly the tariffs targeting countries purchasing Russian energy.

For markets, the next major developments will therefore be Trump’s signature and subsequent details on when sanctions take effect, which entities are designated, which countries face secondary measures and whether the administration invokes the maximum 100% tariff authority.