The House of Representatives approved a major sanctions bill to tighten economic pressure on Russia. This legislation passed in a 262 to 159 vote on Wednesday. The measure is now sent to President Trump for his signature. It bears the name of the late Senator Lindsey Graham to honor his final wish. He died at age 71 after championing this cause in Ukraine. The bill aims to stop the flow of money funding Russia’s war. It also targets Iran’s energy and weapons programs that were set to expire.
Per New York Post, the House voted to pass this sweeping sanctions package. According to NBC News, the legislation aims at Russia’s energy sector by penalizing the biggest purchasers of its oil and gas. This includes potential tariffs on goods from countries like China and India. The goal is to slash the revenue streams that fund the war on Ukraine.
The Washington Examiner noted that 58 Democrats supported the package while just seven Republicans opposed it. This shows a strong bipartisan push to hold the Kremlin accountable.
I also asked Johnson about whether the Russia sanctions bill will hit the floor next week.
“I hope so. I mean, there should be bipartisan consensus,” Johnson said, pointing to Democratic opposition to the bill. Democrats have opposed the legislation over concerns it cedes…
— Hailey Bullis (@HaileyBullis1) September 10, 2026
The law gives the President new tools to hit third countries buying Russian energy. According to reports, the legislation would empower the Trump administration to apply tariffs reaching 100 percent to Chinese imports citing national security, contingent upon China’s continued acquisition of Russian oil.NBC News added that the act grants a major new capability: imposing tariffs as high as 100 percent on any third nation purchasing significant volumes of Russian energy.
A more measured tool now substitutes the blanket 500 percent tariff found in the 2025 version. It also includes a carve-out for countries taking steps to reduce dependence on Russian energy. The Daily Caller reported that the bill would target Russian leadership, banks, and its oil “shadow fleet.The law requires the President to impose tariffs targeting the five biggest importers of Russian oil and gas.
Speaker Mike Johnson told The Daily Caller that “there should be bipartisan consensus” around the bill. He said it should be a suspension-level vote to ensure broad support.
NEWS: House passes bipartisan Russian sanctions legislation 262-159, sending it to President Donald Trump.
58 Democrats vote yes, while just seven Republicans oppose it. pic.twitter.com/o5L26FsTtL
— Anthony Adragna (@AnthonyAdragna) September 16, 2026
However, not everyone agrees on the approach. The Washington Examiner quoted Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) saying, “If this bill passes, I predict Ukraine’s supporters will regret it.” Beyer argued that the bill has a loophole allowing the President to define any country as a facilitator.
He warned that “President Trump has misused every presidential tariff authority, every single one, that Congress has frequently provided to target our allies. RedState noted that nearly 60 Democrats ignored House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ objections to vote yes.
The bill passed the Senate last month with an 86 to 11 vote. Now it sits on the President’s desk. ABC News verified that the House approved the Russia and Iran sanctions bill led by late Sen. Lindsey Graham on Wednesday night. The law was designed to devastate Russia during its war against Ukraine.
Today is a monumental day for peace.
This legislation was deeply important to my brother, Lindsey, and I’m grateful that it achieved such a wide coalition of support on the House floor. I am committed to achieving a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine, and I’m confident… https://t.co/4sJfPOXMKi
— Darline Graham (@DarlineGrahamSC) September 16, 2026
Sanctions targeting Iran’s industries, which were scheduled to expire this year, are extended by this measure. The Washington Examiner reported that Trump asked to merge sanctions against the two nations into a single bill. The President is expected to sign it into law soon.
This move places maximum pressure on Vladimir Putin and his allies. It honors a man who fought for Ukraine until his last breath. The question now is whether the new tariffs will truly hurt the enemy without hurting American families. The data shows a clear path forward, but the results depend on strict enforcement.
