House passes Russia sanctions bill
Por Kate Santaliz — Axios
The House passed a sweeping Russia sanctions bill Thursday, sending the long-awaited legislation to President Trump’s desk.
Why it matters: The measure would significantly expand economic pressure on Russia while handing Trump fresh authority to impose secondary tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian oil and gas.
- It would also target Russia’s “shadow fleet,” the network of aging tankers used to evade Western sanctions while exporting Russian oil.
- The vote was 262-159.
- The bill was renamed in honor of its lead sponsor, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who died suddenly in July.
Driving the news: The bill scrambled the usual partisan lines on Russia and Ukraine, with House Democratic leaders opposing it while some rank-and-file Democrats backed the measure.
- Democratic leaders objected primarily over provisions handing Trump more tariff authority.
- Republicans rejected Democratic efforts in the Rules Committee earlier this week to strip the tariff authority or narrow how it could be used.
- Republicans in the isolationist wing of the party opposed the legislation amid broader resistance to further U.S. involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Catch up quick: The legislation has been more than a year in the making, dating back to a sanctions push Graham and dozens of senators launched in April 2025.
- The sanctions package has long had wide bipartisan support, but concerns from the White House held it up for months. Graham had been the key negotiator with the White House.
- The Senate passed the measure last month with broad bipartisan support after Trump officially backed the legislation.
Fonte: Axios
