The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act cleared a key procedural hurdle Tuesday evening when the House voted 214‑211, with two Democrats flipping sides to back the measure alongside Republicans.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, whose endorsement was crucial, said the bill would empower President Trump to impose up to 100% tariffs on any country buying oil from Russia, including India and China, and extend sanctions on Iran.
Democratic Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Gregory Meeks, who opposed the bill, warned that it grants the president unchecked tariff authority without safeguards.
The bill also targets Russia’s energy sector and its "shadow fleet" of vessels that smuggle oil past sanctions, a move the United States says is essential to cut the war‑financing stream to Moscow.
Pro‑Ukraine groups, notably the American Coalition for Ukraine, are rallying lawmakers at the Ukraine Action Summit to push for continued U.S. support for Kyiv, underscoring the bill’s geopolitical stakes.
A final House vote is scheduled for Wednesday, after which the legislation will go to President Trump for signature. The House will reconvene on November 9 following the mid‑term elections.