House to Vote on Sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill Named for Lindsey Graham

The House is set to vote Wednesday on a wide-ranging sanctions package aimed at Russian officials and core sectors of the country's economy, as lawmakers seek to choke off the financial resources sustaining Moscow's war in Ukraine.

The bill carries the name of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who worked on it for more than a year. Should it clear the House, it would be sent to President Donald Trump for his signature.

The measure marks the most significant legislative effort to back Ukraine since Trump returned to the White House, and it would end nearly two years of relative inaction on the issue that followed a 2024 emergency aid package. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pressed for the bill's passage, appealing directly to senators shortly before they approved it last month.

Under the legislation, sanctions would fall on Russian officials, banks and the shadow fleet of tankers that keeps Russian energy exports moving. It would also direct Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas. Countries that take in less than 15% of Russia's natural gas exports and have made substantial efforts to reduce those imports would be exempt.

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, framed the provision as a test for those nations. "These countries have a choice to make about whether they will continue to sustain Putin's aggression," he said.

Backers say the tariff threat is meant to discourage China and India from buying Russian energy. Opponents counter that Trump could use the authority against European Union allies and others, with Americans absorbing the cost through higher prices.

"This president has always said he loves tariffs," said Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y. "And we know the history of what he's done with reference to tariffs to our European allies, and our allies everywhere."

Democrats are split despite broad support within the caucus for aiding Ukraine. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told colleagues they cannot dictate the president's actions but can make their own position on the war clear.

"If we fail to pass this bill, there will be cheers in the Kremlin and tears in Kyiv," Hoyer said.

Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., predicted supporters of Ukraine would eventually regret their votes. He said they could claim they stood with Ukraine in the immediate aftermath, but warned that if Trump imposes new tariffs on allies and waives sanctions on Russia, the propaganda win for Putin would endure and the damage would be written into U.S. law.

Congress has found it increasingly difficult to guarantee the flow of funding and munitions to Ukraine as Republican appetite for further spending has diminished. Trump frequently criticized Ukraine aid on the campaign trail and said that, if elected, he would bring a quick end to the war launched by Moscow's February 2022 invasion.

It took Graham roughly a full year to win Trump's support for the sanctions package. Trump eventually endorsed it after the bill incorporated his push to extend sanctions on Iran. Republicans who spoke on the House floor ahead of Wednesday's vote were overwhelmingly in favor.

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., acknowledged Democratic concerns that the tariffs could be wielded aggressively against smaller U.S. allies, but argued the moment called for a clear message to the Kremlin: "End this war, get out of Ukraine, focus on rebuilding your shattered international reputation and your destroyed economy," he said.