Washington (Brussels Morning Newspaper) September 18, 2026 – The US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a sweeping Russia and Iran sanctions bill by a 262-159 margin, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump for his signature. The measure grants the executive branch explicit congressional authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the largest purchasers of Russian energy, while extending existing sanctions targeting Iran.
Legislative Passage and Bipartisan Support
The legislation, officially titled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, cleared the House following an earlier 86-11 vote in the Senate in August. Named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, the measure advanced after overcoming procedural hurdles in the House Rules Committee and a tight 214-211 procedural vote aided by cross-aisle support.
Republican lawmakers overwhelmingly backed the bill, with 203 voting in favour and seven against. Meanwhile, Democratic representatives were sharply divided. While 58 Democrats crossed party lines to support the legislation, 152 voted against it alongside one Independent, reflecting internal party debates concerning the delegation of broad economic powers to the executive branch.
Core Provisions and Tariff Authority
The newly passed legislation aims to curtail Moscow’s financial revenues by tightening restrictions on Russian officials, banking institutions, and the maritime vessels comprising the country’s transport network. Crucially, the bill authorizes the president to levy secondary tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods originating from the five largest purchasers of Russian crude oil or natural gas.
According to congressional summaries, countries currently identified among the primary buyers include China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan. However, the legislation does not automatically mandate the immediate implementation of these tariffs, leaving the enforcement decision and rate determination entirely at the discretion of the president. The US Trade Representative is directed to reassess the top five purchasers every 180 days.
Exemptions and Waiver Mechanisms
The statutory text incorporates specific exemptions designed to accommodate European allies. Nations that import minimal amounts of Russian natural gas and have documented active steps to phase out energy dependencies are shielded from the primary tariff penalties.
Additionally, the bill contains a formal waiver provision. This mechanism permits the president to suspend prospective tariffs against any targeted nation upon submitting a formal certification to Congress stating that such a suspension serves the national security interests of the United States.
Extension of Iran Sanctions
In addition to provisions concerning the conflict in Ukraine, the legislative package extends the foundational Iran Sanctions Act for an additional five-year period. This extension maintains existing legislative restrictions targeting Iran’s energy sector, petroleum exports, and military procurement networks. Supporters of the package noted that the inclusion of the Iran measures was vital in consolidating broad legislative backing across both chambers of Congress prior to final passage.
Congressional Debate and Reactions
Proponents of the legislation, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and various senior committee members, hailed the vote as a critical step in applying maximum economic pressure on Moscow. Lawmakers argued that cutting off energy revenue streams is necessary to diminish the resources available for military operations in Ukraine.
Conversely, opponents of the bill raised concerns regarding the expansion of presidential authority over international trade. Democratic critics, including high-ranking members of the House minority leadership, argued that granting broader tariff powers without rigid enforcement mandates could lead to unpredictable economic outcomes and potential retaliatory trade measures affecting American consumers.
Next Steps for Enactment
With final approval secured in both the House and the Senate, the bill is formally cleared for presidential action. President Trump is widely expected to sign the measure into law, establishing a permanent statutory foundation for secondary energy sanctions and trade penalties.
