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House sends Russia sanctions and tariff bill
September 17, 2026
The House passed a sanctions and tariff bill aimed at Russia by 262 to 159 on Sept 16, sending it to President Trump and opening the way to tariffs on buyers of Russian energy.
Moscow sent its army into Ukraine in February 2022 and the war has run since. The late Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina introduced the legislation that now bears his name, and his sister Darline Graham was appointed to his seat.
Key facts
- The tally in the House was 262 to 159, with 58 Democrats splitting from their leadership and all but seven Republicans voting yes, The Straits Times reported.
- Kpler figures cited by CNBC show Russian barrels accounting for upwards of 50% of India's crude buying in June and July, and more than 40% in August.
- Not until July 2026, a few days ahead of Graham's unexpected death on July 11, did Trump clear the way for Republican leaders in Congress to put the measure on the calendar, The Straits Times reported.
- CBS News reported the 262 to 159 vote landed on the chamber's last scheduled day of business before members head home from Washington until after Election Day.
- AP News reported the bill sailed through the Senate 86-11 a month ago, only for its progress to stall once it reached the House.
AP News reports that the measure sanctions Russian officials, banks and a shadow fleet of tankers that keeps Russian energy moving, and that passage came on the final day the chamber was expected to vote before the Nov. 3 elections. The Straits Times reports the House vote at 262 to 159, with 58 Democrats joining all but seven Republicans, after the Senate passed the bill 86-11 in August. CBS News reports the same tally and the same Senate margin, and adds that the legislation narrowly avoided a hurdle during a Tuesday procedural vote when a small group of conservatives voted against it or withheld support. The WSJ ties the bill to punishing the largest importers of Russian oil and gas, and Al Jazeera carries the passage and its consequences for China and India.
The outlets corroborate what the bill does and how it got through. AP News reports that supporters cast the tariff provisions as a way to deter China and India from buying Russian energy, while critics fear Trump will aim the powers at European Union allies. The Straits Times reports the same split, and adds that opponents warn the bill makes it too easy for a president to skip sanctions by declaring that imposing them is not in the national interest. CBS News reports the waiver mechanism in the same terms: the president may waive the sanctions if he certifies to Congress that doing so serves US interests. CNBC reports the market side, quoting analysts who expect neither China nor India to cut back much, with Kpler data putting Russian crude above 50% of India's purchases in June and July and over 40% in August.
What is settled is the vote, the margins, the bill's contents and its path to the president's desk, which every outlet carries alike. What is not settled is behaviour after the law takes effect: CNBC reports expert views that Beijing will defy restrictions to protect energy security, and that New Delhi may seek confirmation from the White House about an exemption.
Speaking from the House floor, Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCaul said: "As we've heard from President Zelenskyy's team, you can evade sanctions — which the Russians have done for years — but you cannot evade tariffs."
Michael McCaul
Still developing
The exemption India's government is likely to quietly seek from the White House had not moved as of the draft.
How settled the reporting is
Sources
- AP News — WATCH LIVE: House passes sweeping Russia sanctions bill, sending it to Trump - PBS
- CBS News — House passes Russia sanctions bill, overcoming opposition from Democratic leaders
- CNBC — Trump gains a tariff weapon against China and India. Will he use it?
- The Straits Times — US House passes Russia sanctions Bill championed by late Senator Graham, sending it to Trump - The Straits Times
- Al Jazeera — Congress passes sweeping US sanctions bill targeting Russia
Toggle read the full reports of 5 of the 6 outlets counted on this event. The other 1 are counted from their headlines and opening sentences.