The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a significant sanctions bill targeting Russia on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. This legislation, championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, seeks to intensify economic pressure on Russia due to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. If passed by the House, the bill will proceed to President Donald Trump for his signature, potentially becoming law.
The bill proposes broad new powers for the U.S. President, allowing tariffs of up to 100% on countries that purchase Russian energy or aid Moscow in evading existing sanctions. While supporters, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy who lobbied lawmakers, believe this will deter major buyers like China and India, critics fear President Trump might misuse this authority against European Union allies, leading to higher consumer prices for Americans.
The measure has faced opposition from both Ukraine-skeptic Republicans and some Democrats. Democrats express concern that the bill grants excessive tariff power to the President, which could be abused. Despite these reservations, the House voted 214-211 on September 15 to approve a rule allowing consideration of Senate amendments, paving the way for a final vote. The Senate had previously passed its version of the bill in August with strong bipartisan support, 86-11.
