The US House of Representatives has passed a sweeping sanctions bill targeting Russia, Iran and countries buying Russian energy, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump for his signature.
The bill, named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 in honour of the late South Carolina Republican senator, passed the House by 262 votes to 159 on Wednesday.
Fifty-eight Democrats joined most Republicans in backing the measure, while seven Republicans voted against it.
The legislation would impose additional sanctions on Russia’s energy and defence sectors and target its so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to evade existing restrictions.
It would also give Trump the power to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries such as China and India if they continue buying Russian oil and gas.
The bill includes additional sanctions on Iran and represents the most significant Ukraine-related legislation passed by Congress since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.
The Senate approved the measure last month by 86 votes to 11 after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged lawmakers to support it.
Zelenskiy again backed the legislation this week, saying it was important for the bill to become law.
The legislation had faced delays since Graham and other senators introduced it in April 2025. Trump did not support moving it to a vote until July 2026, shortly before Graham died on July 11.
Darline Graham, who was appointed to her late brother’s Senate seat, said the House vote carried particular significance for the family.
“This means so much to me and it meant so much to Lindsey,” she said after the vote.
Democrats opposed the bill over the expanded tariff powers it would give Trump. They argued that the president already has broad authority to sanction Russia and warned that the new powers could be used against US allies.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also criticised provisions that allow Trump to avoid imposing sanctions if he determines they are not in the national interest.
“What this legislation will do is give Donald Trump, perhaps, unfettered authority to unleash tariffs on the American people.”
Some Republicans also raised concerns about the potential impact of higher tariffs on consumers ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Supporters of the legislation said the sanctions would increase pressure on Moscow and strengthen Washington’s support for Ukraine.
“Today, we are now one step closer to securing Lindsey’s vision of enduring peace in Ukraine and beyond,” Republican Representative Michael McCaul said after the vote.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The war has since become the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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