WASHINGTON — The United States House of Representatives approved a comprehensive sanctions package on Wednesday targeting Russian officials, defence industries, and major economic sectors by a 262–159 vote, sending the measure to President Donald Trump for his final signature. Formulated over more than a year of intense negotiations, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 honours the late South Carolina senator while providing the executive branch with far-reaching economic leverage.
Securing the administration’s backing proved critical during deliberations, culminating in the integration of a five-year extension of existing sanctions against Iran. The legislation marks the most significant congressional effort to bolster support for Ukraine since Trump’s return to office, resolving nearly two years of legislative gridlock following the 2024 emergency aid appropriation. Ahead of the final vote, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had actively lobbied lawmakers to pass the bill, stating on social media that during wartime, an imperfect decision remains preferable to prolonged inaction.
The bill substantially intensifies economic pressure on Moscow by penalizing Russian banking institutions, state financial authorities, and prominent oligarchs. It specifically cracks down on the maritime shadow fleet deployed by the Kremlin to transport petroleum and skirt Western price caps and maritime trade restrictions.
A central provision instructs the president to establish tariff authorities of up to 100 per cent against the five leading global importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas. An exemption is preserved for countries purchasing under 15 per cent of Russian gas exports, provided they demonstrate substantial efforts to curb those acquisitions. The measure directly implicates major consumers such as India and China, creating a statutory framework that permits Washington to levy heavy duties on their exports if energy purchases from Moscow continue unchecked.
Lawmakers emphasized that the legislation does not automatically trigger 100 per cent punitive duties on Indian products. Instead, it establishes explicit discretionary authority under defined parameters, empowering the president to adjust or enforce tariffs should diplomatic and trade negotiations falter. The bill previously secured overwhelming approval in the Senate on August 7 with an 86–11 majority before facing procedural debates over presidential tariff powers in the House. With congressional approval concluded, the bill now awaits Trump’s signature, granting the White House expanded authority to police international compliance with Russian energy curbs.
