The US House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by a vote of 262-159. This legislation grants President Trump new authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that are among the top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas. The bill, which now goes to President Trump's desk, is intended to intensify economic pressure on Russia in response to its fifth-year invasion of Ukraine.
The act includes specific provisions for tariffs on third countries buying Russian energy, replacing an earlier proposal for a blanket 500% tariff with a more targeted approach. Exceptions are made for countries that import less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and are actively working to reduce their dependence on Russian energy. The bill also authorizes sanctions against key Russian figures, including President Vladimir Putin, government officials, oligarchs, and Russian financial institutions.
Initially, the Trump administration had been skeptical of additional sanctions, but recently changed its stance to support the bill as negotiations with the Kremlin proved unsuccessful. The legislation faced some opposition, particularly from a group of Democrats who raised concerns that it would grant too much tariff authority to the President and could potentially increase prices for Americans. However, Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, supported the bill, believing tariffs are a powerful tool against Russia's ability to evade sanctions. The bill also extends sanctions on Iran's energy and weapons sectors at President Trump's request. China and India are currently the largest buyers of Russian crude oil, while Europe has historically been a significant natural gas customer, though imports have decreased.
The bill's passage comes after more than a year of negotiations and gained momentum following the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, who co-authored the bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that the bill sends a message of American unity and provides the administration with comprehensive tools to help end the war. President Trump also has the authority to waive the sanctions if he certifies to Congress that it is in the national interest of the United States. Analysts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Atlantic Council highlighted that the tariffs, particularly on countries like China, are expected to compel them to reduce imports of Russian energy.
