US House Debates Russia-Iran Sanctions Bill Expanding Trump's Tariff Powers

The US House of Representatives on Monday debated the Lindsey O' Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, a bipartisan measure that would expand President Donald Trump's tariff authority as part of an effort to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. The legislation was advanced for a final vote on Tuesday.

The bill would authorise the president to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on India and other countries that purchase oil and gas from Russia, and would extend existing sanctions on Iran. It also provides exceptions for countries that import less than 15 per cent of Russia's natural gas exports and are taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian energy.

Additional provisions target Putin, senior Russian political and military leaders, Russian financial institutions and Russian energy projects. The measure would expand US sanctions to cover older, reflagged oil tankers that Russia uses to circumvent existing restrictions on its oil and energy revenues. The White House would be able to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies to Congress that doing so serves the national interest.

The bill also extends certain sanctions on Iran, an addition made after Trump asked the Senate to include the country. The administration has sought to combine economic pressure with the prospect of escalating force to resolve the war with Iran.

During the Rules Committee debate, Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks of New York spoke in opposition, arguing the bill is "deeply flawed" and unlikely to produce new sanctions on Russia. He said it would instead hand the president sweeping new tariff authorities that could be abused to raise costs for Americans, and criticised the inclusion of section 113, which directs the president to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods from major purchasers of Russian oil and gas and so-called top oil sanctions evaders. Meeks said the term is not clearly defined and that the authorities could reach a large share of US imports, driving up gas and food prices. He added that he would support the bill even if it were ceremonial provided the tariff language in section 113 was removed.

Republican Representative Michael McCaul of Texas argued the powers would give the president leverage in upcoming negotiations. He identified China as one of the main offenders, grouping Russia, China, Iran and North Korea as adversaries, and said India could be removed from the list if it changes its behaviour in good faith, a provision he said applies to all five of the top importers. McCaul said Putin would not come to the negotiating table unless the bill passes, warning that Ukraine could fall as winter approaches and that no further bill would be available to vote on.

The legislation is named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who worked with colleagues for more than a year to secure its enactment. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 86-11 about a month after his death.