House Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, Sends Graham-Backed Legislation to Trump

The US House of Representatives passed a sweeping sanctions and tariff bill targeting Russia on Wednesday, sending it to President Trump’s desk nearly a year and a half after the late Senator Lindsey Graham first introduced it.

Bill Passes With Bipartisan Support

The legislation, now named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 in honor of the South Carolina Republican, cleared the House 262-159, with 58 Democrats crossing party lines to join nearly all Republicans in support. It targets Russia’s energy and defense sectors along with its shadow fleet of tankers used to dodge existing sanctions, aiming to cut off funding for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. The bill also gives Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries like China and India to push them away from Russian oil and gas, while extending sanctions on Iran.

The Senate had already passed the bill last month in an 86-11 vote, following pressure from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who met with lawmakers directly and watched a procedural vote from the chamber. Zelenskiy reiterated his support this week, saying it matters that the bill becomes law and thanking those who back the approach.

Divided Reaction in Congress

Some House Democrats pushed back, arguing the bill hands Trump too much tariff power that could be used against US allies rather than just Russia. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the bill contains loopholes broad enough that sanctions might never actually get applied, warning it could give Trump wide latitude to impose tariffs affecting Americans. Some Republicans also worried about the political cost of higher consumer prices ahead of November’s midterms. Still, supporters like Representative Michael McCaul called the vote a step toward the lasting peace in Ukraine that Graham had envisioned. Senator Darline Graham, appointed to fill her late brother’s seat, said the moment meant a great deal both to her and to him.