1 hr ago
US House Finishes Debate on Russia Sanctions and Tariffs
The US House debated a bill designed to put more economic pressure on Russia.
The bill would allow President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Russia.
It could also place high tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil and gas, including India and China.
Supporters say this could make Russia less able to pay for its war in Ukraine.
They also say countries could avoid the tariffs by reducing their support for Russian energy.
Opponents say the bill gives the President too much power over tariffs.
They also argue that Ukraine needs weapons more urgently than new economic measures.
Several proposed changes were rejected by the House Rules Committee.
The House was expected to vote on the bill after debate ended.
The House concluded debate on legislation authorizing sanctions on Russia and tariffs on major Russian oil and gas buyers.
The bill could target trading partners including India and China with steep tariffs tied to their Russian energy purchases.
Republicans said the measure would increase pressure on Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
Democratic amendments to limit presidential authority, restrict country targets, or provide Ukraine $15 billion for munitions were defeated.
The Senate passed the bill 86-11, and the House was expected to vote on it later Wednesday.
- Who
- The US House of Representatives, President Donald Trump, Republican supporters led by Michael McCaul, and Democratic opponents including Gregory Meeks.
- What
- The House concluded debate on a bill authorizing sanctions on Russia and tariffs on its oil and gas trading partners, including India and China.
- Where
- The debate took place in the US House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.
- When
- Debate concluded on Wednesday; the Senate passed the bill the previous month, and the measure was introduced in April 2025.
- Why
- Supporters seek to pressure Russia economically to end the war in Ukraine and reduce its ability to finance the conflict.
Supporters
Opponents
Economic pressure on Russia
Supporters
Republicans argued that sanctions and tariffs would weaken Russia's finances, pressure Vladimir Putin to negotiate, and deter further aggression.
Opponents
Democrats argued that the measure does not provide Ukraine with what it immediately needs, particularly munitions to defend itself.
Presidential tariff authority
Supporters
Supporters said presidential authority would give Russia's trading partners an incentive to stop supporting Putin's aggression.
Opponents
Gregory Meeks questioned why Congress should give additional sweeping tariff authority to Donald Trump, whom he called the "Tariff Man."
Amendments and Ukraine aid
Supporters
Supporters backed the bill after amendments to remove or narrow its secondary-sanctions provisions and add $15 billion in Ukrainian munitions funding were defeated.
Opponents
Opponents sought to remove the secondary-sanctions section, limit sanctions to 11 countries, and add $15 billion for Ukraine, but the House Rules Committee rejected those amendments.
Key facts
- Bill
- Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
- House status
- Debate concluded Wednesday; a House vote was expected later that day.
- Senate vote
- The Senate passed the bill 86-11 the previous month.
- Potential targets
- Russia, India, China, and other Russian oil and gas trading partners.
- Tariff mechanism
- Tariffs would apply to the top five importers of Russian oil and be removed if a country fell outside that group, according to Michael McCaul.
- Rejected amendments
- The House Rules Committee rejected proposals to remove secondary sanctions, limit targets to 11 countries, and provide Ukraine $15 billion for munitions.
- Procedural vote
- The bill advanced to House debate and voting after a 214-211 vote, with two Democrats supporting Republicans.
Quotes
Michael McCaul
Republican congressman from Texas who piloted the legislation
“Pursuant to the bill's rule, only the top five importers of Russian oil will be tariffed. If a country falls off the top five list, the tariffs are removed. It incentivises the race to the bottom”
rediff.com
“It does not give what Ukraine needs at this moment. They need to have the munitions to protect themselves and continue to do what they are doing to preserve their country and democracy”
rediff.com
Sources
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