Key facts
- A Russia sanctions bill faces opposition in Congress over new trade powers for President Donald Trump.
- The bill proposes sanctions on Russian officials and tariffs on countries importing Russian oil and gas or facilitating sanctions evasion.
- It would authorize 100% tariffs on the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, or top countries aiding sanctions evasion.
- The legislation also extends Iran energy and weapons sanctions for five years.
- The bill has advanced with bipartisan support in the Senate but faces challenges in the House.
A Russia sanctions bill, previously championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, is encountering significant opposition in Congress, primarily due to provisions that would grant President Donald Trump broad new trade powers. The legislation aims to impose sanctions on Russian officials and significant tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas or facilitate sanctions evasion.
Key concerns raised by Democrats and some Republicans, as well as industry trade groups, revolve around a provision allowing Trump to impose steep tariffs on nations purchasing large volumes of Russian energy or those deemed to be aiding Moscow's evasion of U.S. sanctions. The bill specifically authorizes 100% tariffs on the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, or the top five countries assisting Russia in evading sanctions and funding its war in Ukraine. These countries are not explicitly named but are likely to include China, India, and potentially some European nations and Japan.
The tariff provisions have become more critical for the White House following the U.S. Supreme Court's February decision that struck down Trump's previous reciprocal tariffs. The bill also includes a clause permitting the president to waive Russia sanctions for unspecified national security reasons, a point of contention for pro-Ukraine Democrats given Trump's evolving stance on Russia and Ukraine. Additionally, the legislation seeks to extend Iran's energy and weapons sanctions for five years, a condition reportedly added for Trump's support, who also demanded tariffs on Iran.
While the bill has advanced with bipartisan support for procedural votes in the U.S. Senate, its path forward is uncertain. Lawmakers suggest it could pass the Senate before the upcoming recess. However, it faces greater challenges in the House of Representatives, where senior Democrats like Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Richard Neal have criticized the bill for granting Trump new tariff powers that could potentially increase U.S. inflation. Some Republicans also remain hesitant, recalling previous broad tariffs imposed by Trump. Mayur Patel, a former Republican congressional aide, expressed doubt about the bill's passage in the House this year, citing the upcoming election season and lingering Republican skepticism.