US Congress passes Lindsey Graham’s Russia sanctions bill

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill authorizing President Donald Trump to slap tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy and impose tougher sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine conflict.

The lower chamber approved the legislation on Wednesday by a vote of 262-159. According to The Hill, 203 Republicans and 58 Democrats voted in favor, while seven Republicans and 152 Democrats opposed it. The bill passed the US Senate last month.

The bill, which also grants Trump the authority to impose additional sanctions on Iran, is named in honor of hawkish Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who unexpectedly passed away last month. A major Trump ally and vocal supporter of Ukraine, Graham traveled to Kiev ten times after 2022 and co-wrote the original version of the legislation, calling for “bone-crushing” sanctions against Russia.

The version adopted by Congress allows Trump to impose additional tariffs of up to 100% on countries importing or reselling Russian oil and gas. The bill is aimed at “the top five countries facilitating Russian oil sanctions evasion,” with China and India expected to be among those targeted.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW