The US Congress on Wednesday approved a sweeping bipartisan sanctions package targeting Russia over its war in Ukraine, clearing the measure for President Donald Trump’s signature.
Lawmakers voted 262-159 to pass the legislation, which had already cleared the Senate. The bill, originally championed by the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, marks the first time in more than two years that Congress has enacted legislation supporting Ukraine.
The measure grants the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries such as China and India that buy Russian energy. It also targets Russian officials, banks and a shadow fleet of tankers used to transport Russian oil.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had pressed for the bill’s passage and appealed directly to senators before the Senate vote last month.
Fifty-eight Democrats broke with their party leadership to join a majority of Republicans in supporting the package. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposed it, citing concerns over broad new tariff powers.
“The manner in which this bill has been written doesn’t require the president of the United States to impose sanctions on Russia,” Jeffries said on the House floor. “In fact, there are so many loopholes written into the bill, I believe, that it’s very unlikely that the sanctions relief contemplated in the legislation will ever see the light of day.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson welcomed the vote, saying it would apply “maximum pressure on … the Russian war machine,” including President Vladimir Putin.
“For too long, Putin has bankrolled this devastating war with money and resources from countries willing to look the other way, and today, that ends,” Johnson said. “This bill sends a powerful message of American unity and gives the Administration every tool in the toolbox to help bring this war to a just end.”
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who co-authored the bill with Graham, said the sanctions aimed to push Putin toward negotiations.
“To Vladimir Putin – we have your number,” Blumenthal said. “And to Ukraine – you are not alone.”
Trump is expected to sign the legislation into law.
