Next week, the US House of Representatives will consider a Russia sanctions bill that the Senate passed by an overwhelming majority last month, Bloomberg reports, citing a source.
The measure was drafted by the late South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham, a consistent supporter of Ukraine. The bill gives President Donald Trump the authority to impose 100% tariffs on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, as well as on five countries that most actively help Russia circumvent energy sanctions. The biggest buyers of Russian petroleum products currently remain China, India and Turkey.
A simple majority will be needed for passage. Previously, the initiative ran into resistance in the House of Representatives amid concerns that the new measures would expand Trump’s tariff powers and drive up oil prices. Even so, House leadership has decided to bring the measure to a vote immediately after returning from the Republican Party’s midterm convention. The bill has bipartisan backing and approval from the White House.
At the same time, business groups, including the US Chamber of Commerce and retail industry representatives, oppose the legislative initiative. They fear the Trump administration will use these mechanisms to roll out sweeping new tariffs.
In a letter to House leadership, business associations urged lawmakers to remove the tariff provision from the measure and focus on targeted sanctions, stronger efforts to prevent circumvention of restrictions, and diplomatic engagement with countries that buy Russian energy.