Trump to Sign Russia Sanctions Bill

Synopsis

The bill, which aims to increase economic pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 and sent to Trump. The bill passed 262-159, after breezing through the Senate in an 86-11 vote last month. The bill, considered the toughest legislative effort against Russia during US President Donald Trump’s second term, awaits the president's signature to come into law. Trump has said he will sign it.

What Does the Sanctions Package Against Russia Entail?

The package targets Russia's energy and defence sectors, President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials. It also targets Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet, old tankers it uses to circumvent sanctions.

More controversially, the legislation allows Trump to impose secondary sanctions on countries that rely on Russian oil and gas, in the form of tariffs. China and India are expected to be the main targets of such measures. The bill would also extend sanctions on Iran.

It was drafted in April 2025 by late Republican senator Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly in July. But Trump had delayed the bill's passage, as his foreign policy favours retaining control over tariffs and sanctions rather than leaving such decisions to Congress.

Who Opposed the Bill and Why?

Democrats who voted for the bill broke ranks with the party leadership, which argues the legislation expands Trump's tariff powers and that the president already has the power to sanction Russia should he choose to.

Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Leader, said in a speech, "What this legislation will do is give Donald Trump, perhaps, unfettered authority to unleash tariffs on the American people.”

Meanwhile, some Republicans opposed to the bill were wary of compounded tariffs further increasing consumer prices ahead of the midterm elections in November.

The bill's supporters say it is integral to keeping up the pressure on Russia. It has been celebrated by Ukrainian activists. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with lawmakers to urge its passage and even watched an early procedural vote from the chamber.

The Tariff on India and China

The legislation does not automatically impose a 100% tariff on India or China. Instead, it authorises Trump to impose tariffs of as much as 100% as part of efforts to pressure countries over their purchases of Russian energy.

The tariff provision has been one of the major sources of opposition to the legislation. Critics have argued that it gives the president broad new powers that could affect US allies and lead to higher costs for American consumers. The legislation’s potential impact on India and China stems from their continued dependence on Russian oil and gas.

China has criticised the legislation. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Beijing has “consistently opposed long-arm jurisdiction that lacks a basis in international law" and has not been authorised by the UN Security Council.

The measure, therefore, puts the focus on how Trump may use the powers granted to him if he signs the bill into law, particularly in relation to countries that continue buying Russian energy.