Washington, September 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The US Congress has cleared legislation authorising tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods from major buyers of Russian energy, sending President Donald Trump a sanctions package aimed at cutting Moscow’s financial resources while also raising concerns among some Democrats over expanded presidential tariff powers.
The House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by 262-159 on Wednesday. The Senate had approved the legislation 86-11 on August 7. Trump is expected to sign the measure after his advisers recommended approval.
The package seeks to increase economic pressure on Russia over its war against Ukraine. It targets Russian officials, banks and energy interests, as well as foreign entities accused of supporting Moscow’s military operations.
According to the House Ways and Means Committee, the legislation provides for tariffs of up to 500 per cent on Russian goods and duties of up to 100 per cent on goods from countries covered by provisions targeting purchases of Russian oil and gas.
The provisions apply to major importers of Russian energy and leading facilitators of oil sanctions evasion. Additional countries could be added following reviews by the US Trade Representative every 180 days.
Senator Katie Britt’s office said the legislation includes an exemption for countries whose Russian natural gas imports account for less than 15 per cent of Russia’s total gas exports and that are taking significant steps to reduce those purchases.
The statements accompanying the legislation do not identify India as a designated target or establish any India-specific tariff rate.
The sanctions would also cover major Russian financial institutions and foreign banks conducting significant transactions with sanctioned Russian lenders. Vessels, owners, operators, insurers and ports involved in networks alleged to facilitate sanctions evasion would also face restrictions.
The legislation would restrict new US investment in Russia and its energy sector, purchases of Russian sovereign debt and financial services used to circumvent sanctions. It would also extend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 through 2031.
Supporters said stronger economic pressure could encourage Moscow to move towards negotiations. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, said that peace becomes possible when aggression carries a greater cost than its reward.
The bill, however, exposed divisions among Democrats over the scope of Trump’s tariff authority. According to CQ, 58 Democrats voted in favour of the package, while seven Republicans opposed it.
Representative Joaquin Castro said he supported financial sanctions and investment restrictions but expressed concerns about granting the President additional tariff powers, arguing that the authorities could be used for purposes beyond pressuring countries that purchase Russian oil.
Other Democrats backed the legislation despite disagreements over Trump’s tariff powers. Representative Steny Hoyer described it during the House debate as an anti-Russia and pro-Ukraine measure.
According to Fitzpatrick’s office, permanently terminating the Russia-related sanctions would require the President to certify to Congress that Moscow had signed a peace agreement accepted by Ukraine’s independent government and ended military hostilities and efforts to overthrow, dismantle or subvert that government. Congress would then have an opportunity to review the decision.
The legislation is the result of more than a year of bipartisan efforts to increase economic pressure on Moscow. It is named in memory of Senator Lindsey Graham, who was involved in developing the package.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The conflict has since led to successive Western sanctions targeting Russian banks, trade and energy revenues, alongside military and financial support for Ukraine.
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