US Congress sends Russia sanctions bill to Trump’s desk

The US Congress has approved legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia and potentially tariffs on countries that continue importing Russian oil and gas, sending the package to President Donald Trump for consideration.

The House of Representatives passed the bill 262-159 on September 16, with lawmakers from both parties divided over the measure. The Senate had previously approved the legislation in a more bipartisan 86-11 vote in August, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

The package is designed to increase pressure on the Russian economy in an effort to push President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. The legislation targets Russian officials, companies and financial institutions accused of supporting the war.

"This is a moral issue that requires moral courage," said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas. "I want us to be able to say that we did everything possible to end this war. That we understood the threat. That we had the courage to do what was right — to cripple the Russian war machine and turn the tide toward peace."

A key provision gives the president authority to impose tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and natural gas, including major buyers such as China and India.

The provision drew opposition from many Democrats, who argued that it could give Trump broad authority to impose tariffs on other countries.

"This bill has a loophole that would allow him to define basically any country as a facilitator of evading Russian sanctions," said Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va. "He could then hit them with tariffs of up to 100%, with no guardrails or oversight, and no expiration."

Fifty-eight House Democrats joined most Republicans in voting for the legislation. Seven Republicans joined most Democrats in opposing it, reflecting divisions within the Republican Party over continued US support for Ukraine.

The legislation passed the Senate by an 86-11 vote in August after negotiations involving Trump and the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who played a key role in securing the president’s support for the package.

The bill was named in Graham’s memory.

By Sabina Mammadli