House Democrats Question Trump Tariff Powers in Russia Sanctions Package/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ The House is preparing to consider a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that passed the Senate 86-11 in August. The legislation would target Russian officials and energy revenue while allowing President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy. Supporters call the bill essential leverage against Moscow, but several House Democrats say it grants the president excessive tariff authority.
Quick Look
- The House Rules Committee scheduled a Monday meeting to consider the sanctions bill.
- A procedural vote and possible full House vote are expected later in the week.
- The Senate approved the measure 86-11 in August.
- The legislation was championed by the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham.
- It would impose mandatory sanctions on Russian leaders, the energy sector and defense-industry collaborators.
- Russia’s sanctions-evading “shadow fleet” would also be targeted.
- The president could impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy.
- Some Democrats fear that authority could be used against U.S. allies.
- President Donald Trump and the White House support the legislation.
- House passage would send the bill to Trump for his signature.
Deep Look
House Moves Toward Russia Sanctions Vote
WASHINGTON — The House is preparing to consider a sweeping Russia sanctions package after the legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate.
The House Rules Committee scheduled a meeting for Monday afternoon to consider the measure. Approval by the Republican-controlled committee would clear the way for a procedural vote and potentially a vote by the full House later in the week.
The Senate passed the legislation 86-11 in August. The White House supports the measure, but its prospects in the House remain uncertain because of concerns among Democrats and some Republicans about the additional tariff powers it would provide to President Donald Trump.
House Republican leaders had previously omitted the legislation from their agenda when lawmakers returned from the August recess. Republican enthusiasm also cooled after an initial increase in support following the death of the bill’s leading advocate, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.
The legislation has been named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 in recognition of Graham’s efforts to secure its passage.
Bill Targets Russian Leadership and Energy Revenue
Supporters say the measure would give the Trump administration additional economic tools to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine.
The bill would require sanctions against Russian government leaders, financial institutions and the country’s energy sector. It also targets individuals and companies that support Moscow’s defense industry or help operate Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which is used to transport energy while avoiding international restrictions.
The legislation would permit Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries identified as major consumers of Russian oil and gas. Those countries could include China and India, as well as Japan and some European nations.
Supporters argue that reducing Russia’s energy revenue would limit the money available to finance its military operations and provide the White House with additional leverage in negotiations.
Democrats Question Expanded Tariff Powers
Several senior House Democrats oppose the legislation in its current form because they believe it grants Trump overly broad authority to impose tariffs.
They argue that the president already has sufficient legal authority to sanction Russian officials, companies and vessels supporting the war. Their concern centers on whether the administration could use the new tariff provisions against U.S. allies or for purposes unrelated to Russia.
“Donald Trump already has ample authority to impose sanctions on the companies, individuals, and vessels propping up a Russian war machine that continues its deadly attacks on Ukraine,” Reps. Gregory Meeks of New York and Richard Neal of Massachusetts wrote in a joint statement with Democratic Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia and Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. “Congress does not need to greenlight new tariff authority for the President to impose those sanctions on Russia today.”
Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Friday that he believes the administration’s support is driven by its interest in obtaining additional tariff authority.
“The White House is pushing Johnson to jam this through because Trump is desperate for new tariff power, not because he needs new tools against Russia,” Meeks said.
Critics also warn that tariffs on countries buying Russian energy could raise costs for American importers and consumers. Some Republicans have raised separate objections based on concerns about government intervention in markets and the potential political consequences of additional tariffs before the midterm elections.
Supporters Say Bill Would Pressure Putin
Advocates quickly welcomed the decision to move the legislation toward a House vote.
“Great news that the House will vote on the much-needed Russia sanctions bill,” Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire wrote on social media. “Ukrainian civilians continue to be killed by Putin’s war machine, and this bill hits the Kremlin’s coffers hard. Now is the time to pass it and force Putin to the negotiating table.”
Supporters view the bill as both an economic measure and a demonstration of continued American support for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Congress to approve the legislation. Its passage would send a political message to Kyiv and Moscow that the United States remains prepared to impose additional costs on Russia over its invasion.
House Passage Remains Uncertain
Despite the Senate’s decisive vote, the bill does not have the same established level of bipartisan support in the House.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other senior Democrats have raised concerns about the tariff provisions. Some critics also contend that presidential waivers included in the legislation could allow Trump to suspend sanctions too easily.
A European official who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive legislation said its benefits outweigh its limitations.
“Russia ought to be sanctioned to smithereens,” the official said. “The bill is not perfect but it would grant the administration additional leverage over Russia and send a vital message of political and symbolic support to Ukraine.”
If the House approves the Senate-passed version without making changes, the legislation would go directly to Trump for his signature.
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