Published : 16 Sep 2026, 01:06 PM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 01:06 PM
The US House of Representatives has advanced a bill that would authorise President Donald Trump to impose 100 percent tariffs on India and other countries buying oil and gas from Russia, while also extending existing sanctions on Iran.
The House cleared a procedural hurdle on Tuesday evening after two Democratic lawmakers joined Republicans, India Today reports.
The measure is likely to come up for a final vote on Wednesday, it said.
The resolution to advance the Russia Sanctions Bill, along with several other pieces of legislation, passed 214-211, in a result that surprised House Democratic leadership.
On Monday, Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, opposed the bill, arguing that it would give Trump unchecked authority to impose tariffs without any guardrails.
The Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 would impose sanctions on Russia's leadership and energy sector, as well as the “shadow fleet” of vessels that help Moscow evade sanctions on oil deliveries.
The US believes Russia's crude oil trade is helping fund the war against Ukraine.
The bill would also authorise Trump to impose 100 percent tariffs on Russia's top oil trading partners, including China and India.
The version passed by the US Senate on Aug 7 does not name Russia's trading partners but refers to the five largest importers of oil and gas by volume.
The Senate passed the bill by an 86-11 margin last month.
The House vote comes as pro-Ukraine groups have stepped up lobbying efforts in Washington.
The Ukraine Action Summit, organised by the American Coalition for Ukraine, is under way to press US lawmakers for continued support to Kyiv.
The bill must pass the House before it is sent to the president for signature.
The House is due to begin its early recess on Thursday and is expected to reconvene on Nov 9 after the midterm elections.
