Congress sanctions on Russian energy imports
The US House of Representatives passed a bipartisan sanctions bill, formally the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, by a 262-159 vote, sending it to President Trump's desk ahead of an upcoming Xi-Trump summit in Washington and ending more than a year of delay on legislation aimed at Russia's leading energy customers, chiefly China and India. Named for the late South Carolina senator who helped negotiate Trump's backing before his sudden death, the bill gives the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that import Russian energy, alongside new sanctions on Russian officials, banks, and the shadow fleet of tankers that keeps Moscow's oil exports moving; it had already cleared the Senate. Fifty-eight Democrats crossed party lines to support the measure alongside most Republicans, while House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposed it, arguing loopholes in the bill's tariff-authority language make it unlikely the sanctions will ever actually take effect.
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As it ran
17 September 2026
- Congress passes bill targeting Russia’s leading energy buyers – China and India South China Morning Post
- Congress passes sweeping US sanctions bill targeting Russia Al Jazeera
16 September 2026
- Breaking | Congress passes bill targeting Russia’s leading energy buyers – China and India South China Morning Post