US House clears Russia sanctions bill, paving way for 100% tariffs on India, China

The US House of Representatives has passed a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that would give President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 passed the House 262-159 on Wednesday (September 16) and now goes to Trump for his signature.

The measure had already cleared the Senate with strong bipartisan support.

The legislation does not immediately impose a 100 per cent tariff on the countries concerned. Instead, it creates a legal mechanism allowing the president to impose steep tariffs on countries that continue to purchase Russian energy or facilitate sanctions evasion.

The bill is aimed at cutting Russia’s energy revenues and limiting Moscow’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine. It also expands sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and defence sectors, financial institutions, officials and vessels involved in circumventing existing sanctions.

India and China, among the biggest purchasers of Russian crude, are expected to face particular exposure to the tariff provisions. The legislation also provides scope for exemptions or reduced pressure on countries that take significant steps to reduce their dependence on Russian energy.

The House vote included support from 203 Republicans, 58 Democrats and one independent, while seven Republicans and 152 Democrats voted against the measure.

The bill is named after the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who had been a leading architect of the sanctions initiative. The legislation gained momentum in Congress after prolonged negotiations and was passed by the Senate in August.

If signed into law, the measure would give Washington a new tool to pressure countries that maintain major energy trade with Moscow, potentially adding another layer of uncertainty to global oil markets and US trade relations with major Russian energy buyers.