US House passes sweeping Russia sanctions bill, sends it to Trump
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a sweeping sanctions and tariff bill aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia over its war against Ukraine, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump to sign into law.
The House approved the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by a vote of 262-159. Fifty-eight Democrats joined all but seven Republicans in supporting the measure.
The bill targets Russia’s energy and defense industries as well as its “shadow fleet” of tankers used to evade existing sanctions.
It also authorizes Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on China, India and other countries in an effort to reduce their purchases of Russian oil and gas. The legislation also extends sanctions on Iran.
The bill passed the Senate last month in an 86-11 vote after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with lawmakers and urged them to support it.
The legislation, originally introduced in April 2025 by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and dozens of other senators, faced months of resistance. Trump did not give Republican congressional leaders the go-ahead to schedule a vote until July 2026, days before Graham’s death.
Some House Democrats opposed the bill, arguing that it gives Trump overly broad tariff powers that could be used against U.S. allies while allowing him to waive sanctions by declaring them contrary to the national interest.
Supporters say the legislation is intended to deprive Moscow of revenue used to finance its war against Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia to negotiate.
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