US House of Representatives moves closer to final vote on Graham's sanctions bill against Russia
The bill had previously lacked the votes needed to advance. Support from two Democrats changed the outcome:
They voted alongside Republicans, allowing the legislation to clear a procedural hurdle.
The Hill notes that lawmakers typically view such votes as a test of party loyalty, so Democrats generally vote against them. The measure passed by 214 votes to 211.
If lawmakers pass the bill, US President Donald Trump will gain the authority to impose tariffs on countries that buy Russian energy. Specifically, it would allow him to impose 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas. The legislation also provides for the extension of restrictions on Iran.
The bill's authors hope stronger economic pressure will force Russia to the negotiating table to end its war against Ukraine.
Democrats, however, warned that the legislation could do "more harm than good." They noted that the bill significantly expands the president's tariff powers without requiring him to impose sanctions on Russia.
"This bill would dramatically expand the president's tariff powers while imposing no requirement to sanction Russia. […] These shortcomings will raise prices for Americans and undermine support for Ukraine in the long term," the Democrats said.
One of the bill's co-authors was the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine. Another co-author, Senator Richard Blumenthal, said the legislation could "burn to ashes" Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's war machine.
The US House of Representatives has scheduled the final vote on the bill for September 16.
Background
On July 15, senators introduced an updated bipartisan version of the bill imposing new sanctions on Russia. The legislation retains tough restrictions on Russia's economy, banking sector, and "shadow fleet," while changing its approach to tariffs on countries that buy Russian energy.
One of the main changes concerns tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas. While the earlier proposal called for a uniform 500% tariff on all importers, the revised version sets a maximum tariff of 100%, applying only to the five largest buyers of Russian energy.
The bill's authors name China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan among the largest importers of Russian oil.
The core sanctions package, however, remains tough. The bill provides for restrictions on:
Lawmakers introduced the legislation several days after the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, one of its main proponents.
As Rubryka reported in May 2025, Senator Lindsey Graham introduced a bipartisan bill in Congress proposing new sanctions on Russia. Specifically, Graham proposed secondary tariffs at a uniform rate of 500% on any country buying Russian oil, gas, uranium, or other goods.
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- September, 16
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17 of September 2026
