US Congress approves new sanctions against Russia: bill passed to Trump

The US Congress has completed consideration of a large-scale bill to strengthen sanctions against Russia and Iran. The House of Representatives supported the document by 262 votes to 159, after which it was sent to US President Donald Trump for signature.

This is the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The bill has already passed the Senate, where in August it was supported by 86 senators, 11 opposed.

What the bill provides

The document expands the US’s ability to impose sanctions on Russian officials, financial institutions, the energy and defense sectors, as well as the so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to export Russian oil to circumvent restrictions.

One of the key provisions concerns states that continue to buy Russian energy resources or facilitate the circumvention of sanctions. The bill gives the US president the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on certain countries.

In particular, it concerns the five largest buyers of Russian oil or gas, which will continue purchases after the law enters into force, as well as countries that facilitate the circumvention of oil sanctions.

The document also provides for the extension of US sanctions against Iran.

The law has not yet entered into force

Approval by Congress does not mean that the measures envisaged by the document have already come into effect. After passing both chambers, the bill was sent to President Donald Trump for signature.

At the same time, some Democrats in the House of Representatives opposed the document. Among their reservations are the expansion of presidential powers regarding tariffs and the possibility of applying the exceptions provided for in the bill. Despite this, 58 Democrats supported the document along with the majority of Republicans.

Thus, the next stage should be the decision of the US president to sign the bill.