House Advances Russia Sanctions Bill for Final Vote — SkimNews
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- The U.S. House voted 214-211 on September 15, 2026, to advance the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 in a procedural vote that "shocked" House Democratic leadership after two Democrats broke ranks to side with Republicans.
- The bill would authorize President Trump to impose 100% tariffs on India and other countries that purchase Russian oil and gas, while extending existing U.S. sanctions on Iran.
- The Senate passed the same bill 86-11 on August 7, targeting Russia's leadership, its energy sector, and the "shadow fleet" of vessels that help Moscow circumvent oil sanctions; the Senate version names the five largest oil and gas importers by volume without specifying them.
- Russia's top oil trading partners — specifically China and India — are singled out, with the bill aimed at cutting off the crude revenue the U.S. believes is funding Moscow's war against Ukraine.
- Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, opposed the bill, warning it grants Trump "unchecked authority to impose tariffs without any guardrails."
- The House is scheduled to vote on final passage Wednesday (September 16) before breaking for recess Thursday until November 9 — after the midterm elections — while the American Coalition for Ukraine's Ukraine Action Summit lobbies lawmakers in Washington for continued Kyiv support.
Why it matters: If passed, Trump gains unilateral authority to impose 100% tariffs on India — one of Russia's largest oil buyers — targeting revenue the U.S. says funds Moscow's war in Ukraine. The House recesses Thursday until November 9, making Wednesday's final vote the bill's only realistic window before the midterms.
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