On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 262 to 159 to approve a significant sanctions package targeting Russia, sending the legislation to President Trump for signature. The bill is designated in memory of the late South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who was instrumental in negotiating Republican support for the measure during his tenure.
The legislation aims to cripple the Russian war economy and compel President Vladimir Putin to terminate the invasion of Ukraine, which has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths since 2022. The measures target Russian officials, corporations, and financial institutions that facilitate the war effort.
Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, emphasized the ethical imperative behind the vote. “This is a moral issue that requires moral courage,” McCaul stated. “I want us to be able to say that we did everything possible to end this war… to cripple the Russian war machine and turn the tide toward peace.”
A contentious provision within the bill grants the president the authority to impose tariffs on major importers of Russian oil and natural gas, including China and India. This clause drew sharp criticism from some Democrats, who argued it created unchecked executive power.
“This bill has a loophole that would allow him to define basically any country as a facilitator of evading Russian sanctions,” said Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va. He warned that the president could then impose tariffs of up to 100% without guardrails, oversight, or expiration dates.
The final vote revealed ongoing divisions within both parties. Fifty-eight House Democrats crossed party lines to support the bill, aligning with most Republicans. Conversely, seven Republicans joined nearly all Democrats in opposing the measure, highlighting Ukraine support as a persistent fracture point in the GOP caucus.
The House action follows the Senate’s passage of a similar bill in August by an 86-11 margin, which was also long championed by Graham before his death in July 2026.
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