Trump signs sweeping Russia sanctions bill

The legislation targets Russia's financial institutions and energy sector, which has funded the war on Ukraine. It also extends sanctions on Iran's energy and weapons sectors.

Zelensky praises the new sanctions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the bill an extremely powerful tool for holding Russia accountable.

“an extremely powerful tool”

But Democrats fear tariff authority

The law allows Trump to impose tariffs up to 100% on countries making new purchases of Russian crude oil or natural gas. Democratic leaders worry this gives him too much power.

China, India, Turkey are top buyers

According to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air, the top three purchasers of Russian oil and gas in August were China, India, and Turkey.

Trump has shown willingness to use tariffs

Trade policy experts say Trump's track record of imposing tariffs through any available avenue has alarmed Democrats about this new authority.

“The authority is extremely wide, and has been handed to an Administration that has already shown great latitude to follow the spirit of the law.”

House passes bill with bipartisan support

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 passed 262 to 159 on Wednesday. Fifty-eight Democrats voted with Republicans despite party leadership objections.

Jeffries warns of economic harm

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries led Democratic opposition, saying the bill could give Trump an additional tool to harm American people through tariffs.

“give the President an additional tool to visit economic harm on the American people”

Tariffs already costing American households

The Yale Budget Lab estimated that household costs due to tariffs total about one thousand one hundred dollars annually under current law.

Many Americans struggle with costs

The Urban Institute found that forty-nine percent of people in American families don't have resources to cover essential expenses to live securely in their community.

Beyer calls bill terribly flawed

Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia said the bill is well intentioned but terribly flawed, warning Trump has abused every tariff authority Congress has given him.

“well intentioned, but terribly flawed”

Beyer warns of loopholes and abuse

Beyer argued the bill would allow Trump to define any country as a facilitator of Russian sanctions evasion and hit them with tariffs up to 100% with no guardrails or oversight.

Some Democrats support Russia sanctions

Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, who co-chairs the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, supports the bill as the best chance for bipartisan legislation to hold Russia accountable.

China and India face tariff threat

China imported roughly one point two five million barrels of Russian crude oil daily in August. India imported record highs of two point five million barrels daily in June.

China opposes the tariff measures

Beijing said it opposes long-arm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law.

“China opposes long-arm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law”

India warns of energy security concerns

India's Foreign Ministry said it remains committed to ensuring energy security for its one point four billion people and will continue sourcing through diversified suppliers.

India unlikely to sign trade deal now

After agreeing on a framework for a bilateral trade agreement in February, India is now unlikely to sign because it faces potential new tariffs at any time.