The US House of Representatives has passed a sweeping sanctions bill that authorises President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on India, China and other countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 passed the House by a 262-159 vote on Wednesday and now goes to Trump for his signature. The Senate had already approved the legislation by an 86-11 vote on August 7.
In the House, 203 Republicans, 58 Democrats and one Independent voted in favour, while seven Republicans and 152 Democrats voted against the measure.
The legislation represents the most significant Ukraine-related sanctions package passed by Congress since Trump returned to the White House.
The legislation targets Russia’s leadership, energy sector and vessels allegedly involved in sanctions evasion. It also gives the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and natural gas, including India and China, with the aim of reducing their dependence on Russian energy. The bill also expands sanctions on Iran.
The tariff provision is discretionary. The bill does not itself impose a 100 per cent tariff on Indian goods. Instead, it gives the executive branch the authority to levy such tariffs under specified statutory conditions if the legislation becomes law and Trump chooses to invoke that authority.
“China and India, you better buy your oil and gas somewhere else,” Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal told reporters after the Senate approved the measure.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen said Russia was using a “shadow fleet” to circumvent sanctions and that its oil was being sold largely to countries such as China and India.
The passage of the bill comes days ahead of China's President Xi Jinping's official visit to the US.
