In a move that could expose India to further tariffs, the US Senate on Friday cleared a key bill aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia and penalising countries that continue to buy its oil and gas.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was approved by an 86-11 vote. The bill was named after the late senator who spent more than a year to build support for the legislation before passing away on July 11.
The bill will now be introduced in the House of Representatives when it reconvenes on August 31.
If enacted, the legislation would give President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods imported from countries that are among the top five buyers of Russian oil and gas. China, India, Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia are currently among the countries identified as the top five importers.
The bill also proposes sanctions targeting Russian leaders and officials, including President Vladimir Putin, as well as oligarchs and financial institutions.
Ukraine welcomed the Senate vote, calling it a timely and significant step that would strengthen economic pressure on Russia.
However, despite the strong bipartisan support in the Senate, the legislation could face hurdles in the House. Some lawmakers and industry groups have raised concerns that expanded tariff powers could increase costs for US importers and consumers while exposing Republicans to political backlash, according to Reuters.
Democratic lawmakers Gregory Meeks and Don Beyer, however, have criticised the legislation, arguing that it would create “sweeping new tariff authorities” that the president could “weaponise with abandon”, citing what they described as his repeated use of tariffs in the past.
Supporters of the bill, on the other hand, argue that the proposed tariffs are narrowly targeted and designed to reduce Russia’s energy revenues, which they say help fund its war in Ukraine. They also view the legislation as one of the strongest opportunities to increase pressure on Moscow, with the 86-11 Senate vote giving the measure momentum ahead of its consideration in the House.
