Key facts
- US Congress passed legislation granting President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on Russian energy buyers.
- The bill targets countries that help Russia evade sanctions.
- The legislation extends US sanctions on Iran.
- The House passed the bill 262-159, with 203 Republicans and 58 Democrats voting in favor.
- The Senate previously passed the bill 86-11.
- Supporters say the bill will increase pressure on Russia's war economy and Vladimir Putin.
The US Congress has passed a significant sanctions package targeting Russia and Iran, granting President Donald Trump broad authority to impose tariffs on entities financing Russia's war against Ukraine. The legislation, named the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 262-159, with bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats, and had previously cleared the Senate with an 86-11 vote. Supporters, including Senator Richard Blumenthal, a co-author, stated the bill sends a clear message to Vladimir Putin and warned countries like China and India against continued purchases of Russian oil and gas. The bill aims to cripple Russia's war machine and increase pressure on Putin to negotiate an end to the conflict. The legislation also extends sanctions on Iran, maintaining measures targeting its energy and weapons sectors. The bill's passage marks a notable bipartisan effort supporting Ukraine since an April 2024 aid package. However, some Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Representative Gregory Meeks, voiced opposition to the expanded presidential tariff powers, arguing that Trump already possesses substantial sanctioning authority. Concerns were also raised that the tariff provisions could impact US allies importing Russian energy. Estonia's ambassador to the US, Hannes Hanso, expressed support for strong and swift sanctions against Russia, acknowledging the legislation's imperfections but prioritizing its implementation. Representative Marcy Kaptur indicated that attention would now shift to how the Trump administration utilizes these new powers. The legislation is also seen as a tribute to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who championed the bill and worked to build bipartisan consensus.