House Approves Russia Sanctions Bill, Overcoming Democratic Opposition

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives approved a comprehensive sanctions package targeting Russia on Wednesday, succeeding in overcoming significant resistance from Democratic leadership regarding the expansion of presidential trade authorities.

The final vote stood at 262 in favor and 159 against, marking the chamber’s last legislative action before the congressional recess leading up to the Election Day. The measure garnered support from 58 Democratic lawmakers, while seven Republicans voted in opposition.

House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the outcome, stating, “This bill sends a powerful message of American unity and gives the administration every tool in the toolbox to help bring this war to a just end, and we are proud to send it to the president’s desk.”

The legislation, formally titled The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, had already cleared the Senate in August with strong bipartisan backing following more than a year of negotiations led by the late South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. Graham, who died in July shortly after returning from Kyiv where he had announced progress with the White House, was instrumental in advancing the update to existing sanctions.

Key provisions of the bill authorize the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas. Exceptions apply to countries importing less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia that are taking significant steps to reduce those imports. The act also maintains sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, government officials, oligarchs, and financial institutions. Additionally, at President Trump’s request, the bill extends sanctions to Iran’s energy and weapons sectors, though the president retains the authority to waive these measures if he certifies it serves U.S. national interests.

According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, China and India are currently the top buyers of Russian crude oil. While Europe has historically been Russia’s primary natural gas customer, EU imports have declined sharply in recent years as trade with China has increased.

Opposition from Democratic leaders centered on the belief that the bill’s tariff provisions would harm American consumers without guaranteeing effective sanctions. Reps. Gregory Meeks, Don Beyer, and Richard Neal argued in a Friday statement that the measure “would do more harm than good” by dramatically expanding presidential tariff powers while failing to mandate specific sanctions on Russia. They contended that the president already possesses ample authority to target those fueling Russia’s war machine.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed these concerns during floor debate, criticizing the legislation for including so many loopholes that he doubted the sanctions would ever be effectively implemented.

Republicans countered that tariffs provide a critical enforcement mechanism that sanctions alone lack. Rep. Michael McCaul highlighted the support of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s team, noting, “You can evade sanctions — which the Russians have done for years — but you cannot evade tariffs.” He described tariffs as the “teeth of this bill.”

The path to passage faced a potential obstacle on Tuesday during a procedural vote, where a coalition of conservatives threatened to block the bill alongside unrelated measures. The legislation survived thanks to defections from two moderate Democrats: Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, who is retiring, and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, who represents a competitive district.

Golden emphasized the urgency of the moment, stating, “The stakes for Ukraine are too high to let this good bill… die as a result of a procedural vote.” Gluesenkamp Perez cited her constituency’s values as her motivation for crossing party lines.