CONGRESS PASSES MAJOR

NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 262–159 on September 16, 2026, to approve major new sanctions legislation targeting Russia and countries that continue to finance its economy through energy purchases. The measure had already passed the Senate 86–11, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump.

The House vote included 203 Republicans, 58 Democrats and one independent in favor, while 152 Democrats and seven Republicans voted against it. Twelve members did not vote.

The legislation grew out of S. 5025, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, introduced in July and named for the late Republican senator from South Carolina, who had pushed for stronger economic pressure on Russia. Congress ultimately moved the sanctions package through H.R. 5334, which the Senate amended and expanded to include Iran. The final legislation is called the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.

The measure targets Russian government officials, financial institutions, energy and defense interests, sanctions-evasion networks, and Russia's “shadow fleet” of tankers used to transport oil. Its stated purpose is to reduce the energy revenues available to Moscow and make it more difficult for Russia to finance its war in Ukraine.

But the legislation goes far beyond sanctioning Russia. It gives the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods from countries among the largest purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, or major facilitators of Russian energy sanctions evasion. This puts major economies such as China and India directly in the path of possible American economic penalties.

That broad presidential authority has itself been controversial. Democratic leaders objected to the tariff and waiver powers in the legislation, arguing that tariffs could affect American consumers and U.S. allies. At the same time, the administration could use waivers to avoid imposing some sanctions. Those concerns contributed to the large number of Democratic votes against the legislation, although 58 House Democrats ultimately joined Republicans in voting for it.

Beyond those economic questions are potentially much more serious consequences. U.S.-Russian relations are already deeply strained by the Ukraine war, military tensions and years of sanctions. By expanding the economic campaign against Russian energy, banks and trade, Washington risks pushing relations even further toward confrontation. Russia has called the legislation an “unfriendly action” and warned that additional sanctions could make negotiations over Ukraine more difficult. With the United States and Russia possessing the world's two largest nuclear arsenals, continually increasing hostility between them carries a real danger of miscalculation, escalation and, ultimately, a wider war.

The legislation could also increase tensions with China, one of the largest purchasers of Russian energy. The United States and China are already engaged in serious disputes over trade, technology and Taiwan. Adding the threat of tariffs of up to 100 percent on China's relationship with Russia could deepen that confrontation and create another potential path toward a dangerous crisis between two nuclear-armed powers.

No one can guarantee that taking these risks will produce a better outcome for Ukraine. Supporters argue that reducing Russia's energy income will weaken Moscow's ability to finance the war, but sanctions do not automatically produce battlefield victories or peace negotiations. Russia has already spent years redirecting trade and adapting to Western restrictions. Congress is therefore risking worsening relations with Russia, escalating tensions with China and further dividing the world's major powers without any certainty that the legislation will end the Ukraine war or bring Ukraine closer to peace.

The final legislation also strengthens and extends sanctions involving Iran's energy and weapons sectors, broadening a measure originally centered on Russia.

Congress has overwhelmingly approved another major expansion of economic pressure against Russia. But the consequences could extend far beyond Moscow. If the legislation further damages relations with Russia, escalates confrontation with China and other major powers, and fails to move Ukraine closer to peace, it could leave the world more divided and more dangerous without bringing the war any closer to an end.

H.R.5334 - Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026

Roll Call 308: Bill Number: H. R. 5334

House passes Russia sanctions, sending bill named for Lindsey Graham to Trump's desk (NPR, 9-16-26)

House passes Russia sanctions bill, sending it to Trump’s desk (The Hill, 9-16-26)

US lawmakers pass bill giving Trump more power to sanction Russia and its enablers (The Guardian, 9-16-26)