Politics
Senate passes Russia sanctions bill following plea by Zelenskyy, but House future remains uncertain
The legislation aims to curb Russian energy revenues through tariffs, but faces pushback in the House over foreign involvement and presidential tariff powers.
The short version
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged U.S. lawmakers on July 28 to pass a Russian sanctions package and provide additional defense support.
- The Senate subsequently passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act in an 86-11 vote, granting authority to levy tariffs up to 100% on countries buying Russian energy.
- The bill faces an uncertain path in the House due to Republican reluctance on foreign entanglements and Democratic concerns over broad executive tariff powers.
Key facts
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. lawmakers at the Capitol following Sen. Lindsey Graham's funeral to appeal for Patriot interceptor missiles, Starlink access, and new Russia sanctions.[Associated Press]
- The Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act by an 86-11 margin, sending the measure to the House.[Associated Press]
- The sanctions legislation would allow President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from nations, including China and India, that purchase Russian oil and gas.[Associated Press]
- Several House Democrats, including Rep. Gregory Meeks and Rep. Richard Neal, expressed opposition to the legislation over concerns regarding broad executive tariff power.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- It is uncertain whether House Speaker Mike Johnson will bring the sanctions bill to the House floor or whether it commands enough votes to pass.[Associated Press]