Trump gets sweeping Russia sanctions power

Congress passed a bill allowing Trump to raise tariffs on top Russian energy buyers and issue punishing sanctions. The vote was 262-159 on the last day before midterm recess.

Bill named for late senator

The Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was co-authored over a year and a half ago. Graham died earlier this year before seeing it pass.

Trump changed his mind on sanctions

The administration initially opposed additional sanctions, then reversed course after negotiations with the Kremlin yielded few results. This caused the long delay in voting.

Democrats fear misuse of tariff power

House Democrats joined isolationist Republicans in warning Trump could use the new tariff authority against allies. Hakeem Jeffries asked why Congress would give Trump power to harm Americans economically.

“Why in the world would this Congress give this president additional authority to visit that kind of economic harm on the American people?”

Bill targets shadow tankers and enablers

New sanctions would hit Russian officials, foreign networks supplying the war machine, and shadow tankers shipping crude despite existing sanctions. Trump could impose up to 100% tariffs on top energy buyers like China.

Ukraine faces dire winter without help

Democratic staffers called it a last chance to increase sanctions before Ukraine's long winter. Russia has improved drone technology while Kyiv suffers shortages of anti-air missiles.

Ukrainian Americans broke party lines

Two Democrats voted with Republicans to advance the bill, citing their Ukrainian constituents who lost family fighting fascism. Ukraine's embassy expressed gratitude for any pressure on Russia's war machine.

“I'm proud to represent one of the largest Ukrainian communities in America, people who have lost fathers, mothers, sons and daughters in the fight to defeat fascism.”