The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a major sanctions package aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia as the war in Ukraine continues. The House Russia Sanctions bill passed on Wednesday and now awaits President Donald Trump’s signature.
Lawmakers approved the measure by a vote of 262 to 159. The legislation is one of the largest congressional efforts to support Ukraine since Trump returned to office. It follows months of negotiations and debate over how the United States should respond to the conflict.
The bill is named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who spent more than a year working to build support for the proposal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had also urged lawmakers to move the measure forward and appealed directly to senators before the bill cleared the Senate last month.
The legislation targets several parts of Russia’s economy. It places sanctions on Russian officials, financial institutions, and a network of oil tankers often described as a shadow fleet. These vessels help transport Russian energy products around the world despite existing restrictions.
Supporters say the goal is simple. They want to reduce the revenue Russia receives from energy exports. They argue that lower energy income could weaken Moscow’s ability to continue funding military operations in Ukraine.
One of the most closely watched sections of the bill involves tariffs. The measure directs President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest importers of Russian oil and natural gas. There is an exemption for countries that buy less than 15 percent of Russia’s natural gas exports and have made strong efforts to reduce those purchases.
Republican Representative Michael McCaul of Texas said countries that continue to buy Russian energy face an important choice. According to supporters, the tariff provision is designed to push major buyers to reduce their dependence on Russian exports.
Many lawmakers believe the measure could have a significant impact on nations such as China and India, which remain major buyers of Russian energy products. Backers argue that reducing these purchases would increase pressure on the Kremlin.
However, opponents raised concerns about the tariff language. Some Democrats warned that future administrations could use the authority against allies in Europe and other regions. They argued that new tariffs could lead to higher costs for consumers and create fresh trade disputes.
Representative Gregory Meeks of New York expressed concern that tariffs could be applied broadly and affect friendly nations. Critics fear such actions could raise prices for American households and businesses.
The debate created divisions within the Democratic Party. While many Democrats strongly support Ukraine, they disagreed over whether this legislation was the best way to provide assistance.
Representative Steny Hoyer of Maryland supported the bill. He argued that Congress should clearly show support for Ukraine and send a strong message to Russia. Hoyer said failure to pass the measure would be celebrated in Moscow and viewed as a setback in Kyiv.
Representative Don Beyer of Virginia disagreed. He warned that future use of the tariff powers could damage relationships with allies and create long-term challenges for U.S. foreign policy.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries also opposed the bill. He said Democrats remain committed to helping Ukraine but argued that the legislation does not provide a clear strategy for achieving lasting success.
The final vote reflected those differences. Fifty-eight Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the bill, while 152 Democrats voted against it. Among Republicans, 203 voted in favor and only seven opposed the measure.
House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the outcome. He said Russia has benefited for too long from countries willing to continue buying its energy products. Johnson argued that the legislation would help cut off financial resources that support the war.
Support for Ukraine has become a difficult issue in Congress. Republican backing for large aid packages has declined since the early years of the conflict. Trump frequently criticized Ukraine aid during his campaign and promised to seek an end to the war.
Supporters of the bill spent many months working to gain the president’s backing. Negotiations eventually led to broader support after the package included a five-year extension of existing sanctions on Iran.
The Senate approved the legislation by an overwhelming 86-11 vote last month. With House approval now secured, the House Russia Sanctions bill moves to President Trump, who will decide whether it becomes law and shapes the next stage of U.S. policy toward Russia and Ukraine.
