The US House of Representatives approved a comprehensive sanctions bill on Wednesday intended to intensify economic pressure on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, according to reports.
The bill is now set to be signed by President Donald Trump, nearly 18 months after it was initially introduced by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away in July this year.
Named the “Lindsey O. Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act of 2026” in honor of the South Carolina Republican, the legislation had previously received approval from the Senate last month.
The House’s vote resulted in 262 members supporting the bill while 159 opposed it, with 58 Democrats breaking ranks with party leadership to join Republicans in favor of the measure, except for seven dissenting members.
Key Legislation for Ukraine During Trump’s Term
This legislation targets Russia’s energy and defense industries, as well as its “ghost fleet” of oil tankers that circumvent existing sanctions, aiming to deprive Moscow of the funds it uses to finance its war in Ukraine.
However, the bill faced criticism for also empowering Trump to impose severe tariffs of up to 100% on China, India, and other nations to reduce their dependency on Russian oil and gas, while broadening sanctions against Iran.
This is the most significant legislation related to Ukraine that Congress has passed since Trump returned to the White House and Republicans regained control of both chambers in January 2025.
The bill encountered significant opposition since its introduction by Graham and numerous senators in April 2025. Trump delayed allowing Congressional leaders to schedule a vote until July 2026, just days before Graham’s sudden death on July 11.
Zelensky’s Recent Statements
Since the beginning of his second term in January 2025, Trump has generally preferred to maintain control over tariffs and sanctions—central tools of his foreign policy—rather than collaborate with Congress on legislation.
The Graham bill passed the Senate last month with a strong bipartisan vote of 86 in favor and 11 against, receiving considerable backing after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with lawmakers to advocate for its passage.
Zelensky reiterated his support for the legislation in a recent speech, emphasizing the importance of it becoming law and thanking all supporters worldwide who recognize that a position of strength yields results.
Democratic Opposition to the Bill
The bill faced opposition from Democrats in the House, who argued that it grants Trump excessive new powers regarding tariffs that could be directed against US allies.
They contended that Trump already had the authority to impose sanctions on Russia but chose not to exercise it. Furthermore, they argued that the legislation enables Trump to evade imposing sanctions too easily, which they believe is not in the national interest.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed concerns that the legislation contains so many loopholes that sanctions affecting Russia might not be enforced. “What this legislation will do is likely grant Donald Trump unrestricted authority to impose tariffs on the American people,” said the New York legislator, who indicated he would vote against the bill.
