US Congress passes Russia sanctions bill targeting energy buyers China and India

Sep 16, 2026

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, sending the sweeping sanctions bill to President Donald Trump's desk. The legislation targets Russian officials, banks, and its shadow fleet, while granting the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy, specifically targeting China and India. While Ukraine welcomed the move, China and India have pushed back, defending their trade rights.

Russia sanctions legislation passage

▪The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 extends existing United States sanctions on Iran's energy and weapons sectors for five years.
▪The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 targets Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian officials, financial institutions, and Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers.
▪The United States House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on September 16, 2026, by a vote of 262-159.

Presidential tariff authority granted

▪The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 authorizes the United States President to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the top five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas.
▪The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 allows the United States President to waive sanctions in the national interest.
▪The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on September 16, 2026, exempts countries whose natural gas imports are less than 15 percent of Russia's total gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce purchases

China energy import exposure

▪China is the largest buyer of Russian energy, purchasing approximately half of Russia's crude oil exports as of August 2026.
▪Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that China's economic cooperation with Russia is based on equality and mutual benefit and should not be subject to third-party coercion.

India energy import exposure

▪India is the second-largest buyer of Russian energy, accounting for 37 percent of Russian crude oil exports as of August 2026.
▪The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that India remains committed to its energy security through diversified sourcing and will take all necessary measures to protect its economic interests.

Congressional vote divisions

▪Fifty-eight House Democrats voted in favor of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, while 152 Democrats and seven Republicans voted against it.
▪House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks opposed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, arguing that granting the President broad tariff powers could cost American families at least $3,000 annually
▪The United States House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on September 16, 2026, by a vote of 262-159.

Ukraine war funding context

▪The passage of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 represents the most significant congressional action in support of Ukraine since Donald Trump returned to the White House.
▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged United States lawmakers to pass the sanctions package, stating that making a not-so-perfect decision is better than doing nothing during the war.

Debatable claims

▪India is justified in continuing to purchase Russian oil
▪The U.S. should impose tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy
▪Congress should not grant the US President unilateral power to levy sanctions-related tariffs