The US House of Representatives has approved a sweeping sanctions and tariff bill aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump to be signed into law.
The measure passed by 262 votes to 159, with dozens of Democrats joining most Republicans in supporting it. It targets Russia’s energy and defence industries, as well as its so-called shadow fleet of tankers accused of evading existing sanctions.
Now named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, the bill honours the South Carolina Republican who introduced it before his sudden death on July 11.
It also gives Mr Trump authority to impose steep tariffs on China, India and other countries in an effort to reduce their reliance on Russian oil and gas. The legislation would further extend sanctions against Iran.
The bill passed the Senate in August by 86 votes to 11, securing strong bipartisan backing after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged lawmakers to support it. Mr Zelenskiy took the unusual step of watching an early procedural vote from a seat in the chamber.
Despite its Senate support, the legislation faced considerable opposition in the House. Democrats argued that it gives Mr Trump excessive new powers to impose tariffs, including against US allies.
They also said the president already has the authority required to sanction Russia but had chosen not to use it. Since beginning his second term in January 2025, Mr Trump has generally favoured retaining control of tariffs and sanctions rather than working with Congress on legislation.
Congressional Republican leaders did not schedule a vote until July 2026, after Mr Trump allowed them to proceed. The legislation had been introduced in April 2025 by Senator Graham and dozens of other senators.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The conflict has since become the deadliest war in Europe since the Second World War.
