US House Passes Russia Sanctions Bill, Sends It To Trump – What Does This Mean For India Tariffs? | Today’s news

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday (US time) approved a broad package of sanctions targeting Russian officials and key pillars of its economy as lawmakers seek to deprive President Vladimir Putin of the financial resources he needs to wage war against Ukraine, the Associated Press reported.

The House approved the bill on sanctions against Russia by a ratio of 262:159. The bill, called “The Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” gives the US government under Donald Trump the power to impose up to 100% tariffs on the top five buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India, the agency said.

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However, the bill contains significant exemptions for the US’s European allies, on the grounds that several of those countries have sought to limit energy purchases from Russia.

Quick answers to key questions

•5 QUESTIONS

The Lindsey O’ Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 is a US House-passed sanctions bill targeting Russian officials and the economy that allows President Trump to impose up to 100% tariffs on major importers of Russian oil and gas, including India.

The sanctions law allows the US to impose up to 100% tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil and gas and is pushing India to review its energy purchases from Russia amid US efforts to discourage countries that support the Russian economy.

US tariffs on Indian imports are worrisome because they could destabilize trade relations, lead to increased costs for consumers and challenge India’s continued economic recovery and market access with its biggest export partner.

The Russia sanctions law contains exemptions for US European allies that have taken significant steps to reduce their energy purchases from Russia, unlike India and China, which are major importers.

Yes, India should consider diversifying its energy sources to mitigate the risks associated with potential US tariffs on Russian oil imports and ensure energy security and economic stability.

The bill is named after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who spent more than a year negotiating it. The measure was approved by a vote of 262-159 and now heads to President Donald Trump for his signature.

The bill cleared a key procedural hurdle in the House Tuesday night when two Democrats joined Republicans to pass the measure, voting in favor by a 214-211 margin. The vote came despite opposition from several senior Democrats, who expressed concerns about the scope of the president’s tariff powers under the legislation.

The bill, which would likely target China, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan, has already passed the Senate overwhelmingly. That means it will now head to President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed.

What does the bill propose?

The proposed law represents the most ambitious effort to support Ukraine since Trump returned to the White House and breaks nearly two years of relative stalemate on the issue following the 2024 emergency aid package, the AP reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pushing for the bill’s passage and directly challenged senators last month shortly before they passed it.

The measure imposes sanctions on Russian officials, banks and the shadow fleet of tankers that keep Russian energy flowing. It also directs Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas, except for countries that import less than 15 percent of Russian natural gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce those imports.

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“These countries can decide whether to continue Putin’s aggression,” Republican Representative Michael McCaul said, according to the AP.

Supporters said the tariff provisions were intended to deter China and India from buying Russian energy. But critics said they feared Trump would use the legislation to target allies in the European Union and elsewhere. Americans would pay the price for such tariffs in higher prices at the checkout, they warned.

“This president has always said he loves tariffs,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks, DN.Y. “And we know the history of what he’s done with reference to tariffs for our European allies and our allies everywhere.

What does this mean for India?

As for India, the legislation allows Washington to create a new legal path to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on Indian imports over Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian energy, news agencies said.

India and China are among the largest buyers of Russian oil. The tariff provision is intended in part to put pressure on countries that continue to support Russia’s energy revenues.

The measure directs the president to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas. But it makes an exception for countries that import less than 15 percent of Russia’s natural gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce those purchases.

Democratis split on account

Democrats were divided on the bill, despite overwhelming support in the Committee on Aid to Ukraine. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D) told colleagues they can’t control what the president does, but they can stand up and say where they stand on the war.

“If we fail to pass this bill, there will be cheers in the Kremlin and tears in Kiev,” Hoyer said.

But Rep. Don Beyer (D) predicted that Ukraine supporters would regret voting for the bill.

“Yes, they will be able to say that we sided with Ukraine in the immediate aftermath,” Beyer said. “But when Donald Trump hits our allies with new tariffs and drops sanctions on Russia, the propaganda victory for Putin will be permanent and the damage will be enshrined in US law.”

In opposition to the bill, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said Democrats will continue to support the Ukrainian people until they win, “but this bill does not provide a path to ensure that.”

A total of 58 Democrats broke with Jeffries and voted for the bill, while 152 voted against it. Among Republicans, 203 voted in favor while seven voted against.

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\”If we fail to pass this law, there will be cheers in the Kremlin and tears in Kiev,\” – Representative Stena Hoyer.

Spokesman Mike Johnson celebrated the vote and highlighted the additional tariff authority it gives the president. “For too long, Putin has financed this devastating war with money and resources from countries willing to look the other way, and today it ends,” Johnson said.