US House passes Russia sanctions bill, China, India on target

US lawmakers approved broad new sanctions designed to squeeze Russia over its war in Ukraine on Wednesday, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump after months of delay. The Republican-led House of Representatives passed the package by 262-159, giving a final congressional green light to the most substantial US legislative effort against Moscow since Trump returned to office. Trump has said he will sign the measure, which sailed through the Senate in an 86-11 vote last month. The legislation targets Russia's energy and defense sectors, President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials, as well as Moscow's so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions.
The bill moved rapidly towards passage this week after the House Rules Committee removed a key procedural hurdle on Monday allowing the legislation to be brought for a vote. On Tuesday, the House narrowly voted by a 214-211 margin to set up a final Wednesday vote on the sanctions bill after two Democratic lawmakers unexpectedly crossed the aisle to vote alongside the majority Republican party. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which had already cleared the Senate by an 86-11 vote last month, now heads to the White House. Trump is expected to sign the legislation into law.
The legislation allows tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas. India and China have been specifically identified in the House debate as major buyers potentially affected by the provision. However, the passage of the bill does not automatically impose a 100% tariff on Indian goods. It gives Trump the authority to impose such tariffs under the legislation.