The US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed 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 for his signature.
The bill, named the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026” in honour of the late South Carolina Republican senator, passed by 262 votes to 159.
Fifty-eight Democrats joined all but seven Republicans in supporting the measure, which had faced strong opposition since Graham and dozens of other senators introduced it in April 2025.tr
The Senate approved the legislation last month by an overwhelming 86-11 vote, clearing the way for Wednesday’s House vote.
The measure targets Russia’s energy and defence sectors, as well as its so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers accused of helping Moscow evade existing sanctions.
Its aim is to restrict revenue available to the Russian government to fund its war in Ukraine.
However, the legislation also gives Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on China, India and other countries that continue to rely on Russian oil and gas.
It also extends sanctions against Iran, making the bill broader than measures focused solely on Russia.
The legislation is the most significant Ukraine-related bill passed by Congress since Trump returned to the White House and Republicans took control of both chambers in January 2025.
Its passage followed months of resistance, with Trump only allowing Republican congressional leaders to schedule a vote in July 2026, days before Graham died suddenly on July 11.
“This means so much to me and it meant so much to Lindsey,” Republican Senator Darline Graham, who was appointed to her late brother’s seat, said at a press conference after Wednesday’s vote.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the deadliest war in Europe since the Second World War.
Since beginning his second term in January 2025, Trump has generally preferred retaining control over tariffs and sanctions rather than working with Congress to legislate on the issues.
The Graham bill, however, represents a significant bipartisan congressional effort to shape US policy towards Russia.
Zelenskiy backs sanctions bill
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had urged lawmakers to support the legislation during a visit to Capitol Hill.
He also reiterated his support for the measure in an address this week, saying its passage was important.
“It is important that it becomes law. I thank everyone around the world who supports this approach and who knows that strength works,” Zelenskiy said.
Russia and Ukraine have continued exchanging attacks on infrastructure and other economic targets as both sides seek to weaken each other’s war effort and morale.
On Wednesday, Russian drones struck a passenger bus and a train in southern Ukraine, killing five people, according to Ukrainian officials.
Despite bipartisan support for the sanctions measures, House Democrats raised concerns about the tariff provisions and the extent of presidential powers contained in the bill.
They argued that Trump already has sufficient authority to impose sanctions on Russia but has chosen not to use it.
Democrats also criticised provisions allowing the President to avoid imposing sanctions by declaring that doing so would not be in the national interest.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the provision gave the President unusually broad
