Russia Sanctions Bill Highlights: US House passes Russia sanctions bill that could impose 100% tariffs on India

The Ministry of External Affairs said the issue has been discussed at high levels in recent months with various US interlocutors, with India clearly articulating its potential implications for bilateral ties and the international energy market. The MEA said India is determined to take all necessary measures to protect its trade and economic interests and will work closely with trade and industry bodies to address the implications of the developments.

The Government of India has noted the passage of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act in the US Congress and is monitoring further developments, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The MEA reiterated that India remains firmly committed to ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people and will continue to do so through diversified sourcing based on evolving market dynamics.

US Congressman Steny Hoyer said the passage of the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 marked a step towards supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and democracy. Hoyer accused Russia of violating its commitments and said Congress had sent a bipartisan message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that the US would no longer stand by the invasion of Ukraine. He also linked the current war to Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, saying the response at the time had been too weak.

The US House of Representatives voted 262-159 to pass the bill imposing sanctions and tariffs linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the legislation into law.

Republican Congressman Michael McCaul said the bill's tariff provision would pressure Russia's major oil-buying countries to stop supporting President Vladimir Putin's war effort.

Under the proposed rule, only the five largest importers of Russian oil would face tariffs, with the levies removed if a country drops out of the top five, McCaul said.

He argued that the measure was needed to weaken Russia's ability to finance the war, warning that failure to impose costs on Moscow could encourage further military expansion.

Zelenskyy reiterated his support for the bill in an address this week, saying it was “important that it becomes law” and thanking people around the world who support the approach and understand that “strength works.”

The “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026” passed the Senate last month by an 86-11 vote, with strong bipartisan support. The vote followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s meetings with lawmakers to push for the bill’s passage. He also took the unusual step of watching an early procedural vote from a seat in the chamber.

The House is nearing a vote on a sweeping Russia sanctions package named after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who spent more than a year working on the legislation. The bill would impose sanctions on Russian officials and key sectors of the country’s economy as lawmakers seek to restrict the financial resources available to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government to wage its war against Ukraine.

House lawmakers were discussing the measure ahead of a potential vote on Wednesday. If approved, the bill would move to President Donald Trump for his signature.

The legislation would mark the most ambitious congressional effort to support Ukraine since Trump returned to the White House.

Congress has struggled to maintain US funding and weapons support for Ukraine as Republican backing for additional spending has declined. Trump repeatedly criticised Ukraine aid during his presidential campaign, promising to quickly end the war following Russia’s February 2022 invasion.

Late Senator Lindsey Graham spent nearly a year trying to secure Trump's support for the Russia sanctions package. Trump eventually backed the bill after it incorporated his push to extend sanctions on Iran. Republicans speaking ahead of Wednesday's House vote largely supported the package.

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., acknowledged Democratic concerns that the tariff powers could be used aggressively against smaller US allies, but said Congress needed to send a strong message to Moscow: “End this war, get out of Ukraine, focus on rebuilding your shattered international reputation and your destroyed economy,” he said.

Russia sanctions bill has drawn opposition from senior House Democrats, who argue that it would give Trump new tariff powers that could be used against US allies. They say Trump already has the authority to impose sanctions on Russia but has chosen not to use it.

Supporters of the bill argue that it would send a clear message to Russia and reinforce Washington's backing for Ukraine. Republican Representative Michael McCaul, a lead sponsor, said Russian President Vladimir Putin must face greater pressure over the war. "Putin believes he can keep financing this war indefinitely," McCaul said. "We need to change that calculation and ensure there are consequences for helping him."

Some Republicans also oppose the bill, arguing that sanctions amount to government interference in the free market and conflict with the non-interventionist "America First" approach to foreign policy. Others are wary of the political fallout from imposing more tariffs, particularly if they push consumer prices higher ahead of the November midterm elections.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated his support for the bill, saying its passage would be an important step in increasing pressure on Russia. "It is important that it becomes law. I thank everyone around the world who supports this approach and who knows that strength works," he said. The legislation, however, has faced opposition from House Democrats, including senior lawmakers who argue that it would give President Donald Trump excessive new powers to impose tariffs, including against US allies. They say Trump already has the authority to sanction Russia but has chosen not to use it, while the bill would also make it easier for him to waive sanctions.

• What is it? — A sweeping US sanctions bill aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine.
• What is it called? — The legislation has been named the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" in honour of the late South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
• What happens next? — The bill has already passed the US Senate. If approved by the House, it will go to President Donald Trump, who plans to sign it into law.
• What does it target? — The legislation would target Russia's energy and defence industries, along with its so-called "shadow fleet" of tankers accused of helping Moscow evade sanctions.
• Why does India matter? — The bill would give Trump the authority to impose stiff tariffs on India, China and other countries that continue to depend on Russian oil and gas.
• What could it mean for India? — New Delhi could face additional US tariff pressure because of its continued reliance on Russian energy, depending on how the powers granted to Trump are used.
• Does it target only Russia? — No. The legislation also provides for additional sanctions on Iran.
• How long has the bill been pending? — Graham first introduced the legislation in April 2025. It took more than a year for congressional Republicans to move it towards a vote.
• Why is it significant now? — The legislation comes as Trump continues to use tariffs and sanctions as major tools of US foreign policy, while Washington seeks to increase pressure on countries maintaining economic ties with Moscow.