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The House on Wednesday passed a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russia and Iran, sending the legislation to President Donald Trump after months of negotiations over how aggressively the United States should pressure Moscow and countries that continue buying Russian energy.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 passed 262-159, with 203 Republicans and 58 Democrats voting in favor, according to the House vote. The Senate approved the legislation, H.R. 5334, by an 86-11 vote in August.
The legislation now goes to Trump, who is expected to sign it.
Named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who died in July, the 2026 measure would impose additional sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, financial institutions and the country’s energy sector. It would also target Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of vessels used to transport oil and evade sanctions.
The bill also extends U.S. sanctions authority targeting Iran’s energy and weapons sectors for five years. That provision was added during negotiations at Trump’s request.
100% tariffs on major Russian energy buyers
One of the bill’s most significant provisions gives the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that are among the largest purchasers of Russian crude oil or natural gas or are major facilitators of sanctions evasion.
The legislation specifically directs the administration to target the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, or the top five facilitators of Russian oil sanctions evasion, according to a summary released by Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala.
The measure includes an exemption for countries whose Russian natural-gas imports account for less than 15% of Russia’s total natural-gas exports and that are taking significant steps to reduce their dependence on Russian energy.
The provision could have implications for major purchasers of Russian energy, including China and India, which have remained significant buyers of Russian oil since the invasion of Ukraine.
The Washington Post described the legislation as giving the White House additional trade authority as part of an effort to increase economic pressure on Moscow.
Targeting Russia’s financial network
Beyond tariffs, the legislation expands sanctions against Russian government officials, oligarchs, certain family members, foreign individuals and entities supporting Russia’s war effort, as well as Russian banks and other financial institutions.
The bill also targets the shadow fleet of oil tankers that Russia has used to move petroleum while attempting to evade Western sanctions.
Supporters argue that restricting Russia’s energy revenue and financial networks could reduce the resources available to President Vladimir Putin’s government as the war in Ukraine continues.
The legislation comes as Russia continues missile and drone attacks against Ukraine, including strikes on critical infrastructure.
Democrats raise concerns over Trump’s tariff authority
The legislation drew support from a bipartisan majority, but some Democrats objected to the breadth of the tariff authority it would give Trump.
Critics have warned that tariffs imposed on major Russian energy buyers could affect U.S. trade relationships and potentially increase economic costs for American consumers and businesses.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposed the legislation, warning that the expanded tariff powers could have economic consequences. Other Democrats ultimately supported the bill despite concerns about the scope of the president’s authority.
The final House vote reflected that divide: 58 Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure, while 101 Democrats voted against it.
Graham’s final legislative priority
The bill carries the name of Graham, who spent months working with colleagues and the White House to build support for the sanctions package before his death.
The Senate passed the measure on Aug. 7, with lawmakers from both parties supporting it. Graham had been one of the legislation’s principal advocates and had continued working on the package shortly before his death.
The legislation was subsequently revised as lawmakers negotiated the final package, including the addition of the Iran sanctions provision sought by Trump.
Sen. Katie Britt said after the House vote that the legislation represented the culmination of efforts Graham had made before his death to increase pressure on Russia and Iran.
What happens next
The bill now moves to the White House for Trump’s signature. Once signed, the administration would have the new statutory authorities provided by Congress, including the ability to impose tariffs of up to 100% on qualifying purchasers or facilitators of Russian energy.
The measure represents a significant expansion of the tools available to the administration as Washington seeks to pressure Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
It also creates a new point of tension over the use of tariffs as a foreign-policy instrument, particularly because the legislation gives the president authority to target countries that maintain substantial energy relationships with Russia.
The immediate question after enactment will be how the Trump administration uses those authorities — and whether major Russian energy buyers change their purchasing decisions in response.
