US Congress passes sweeping Russia sanctions bill, Democrats warn of loopholes

The US House of Representatives passed a broad Russia sanctions bill on its final day before the midterm recess, with lawmakers voting 262-159 in favor. The legislation grants President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs on countries that are top purchasers of Russian energy.

Known as the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, the bill was originally co-authored and submitted more than a year and a half ago by Senator Lindsey Graham, who died earlier this year. It mandates new sanctions on Russian political and military officials and on foreign networks that help supply Russia's war effort or evade existing sanctions. The bill specifically targets Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of tankers, which has allowed Moscow to continue exporting crude oil despite sanctions.

The legislation would also permit Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the largest buyers of Russian energy, including China, as well as on other countries assisting the Kremlin in evading sanctions.

Democratic concerns

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries announced he would vote no, saying the bill contained "so many loopholes" that sanctions intended to harm Russia might never actually be applied. He also questioned why Congress would grant the president additional authority that could inflict economic harm on the American people through expansive tariff powers.

Democratic staffers who supported the bill took a different view, describing it as a "last chance" to tighten sanctions on Russia before Ukraine faces a difficult winter. Russia has been improving the drone technology used to strike Ukrainian infrastructure, while Kyiv suffers from a shortage of anti-air missiles. Nebraska Republican Don Bacon called the bill Congress's "Churchill vs Chamberlain moment on Russia."

The vote came just before Congress departed for its midterm election recess.