Politics
Richard Blumenthal urges House to pass Russia sanctions bill amid 'extreme urgency' in Ukraine
The Senate-passed bill would allow the president to levy up to 100% tariffs on the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, but its path in the House is uncertain.
The short version
- Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut has called on the House of Representatives to approve a major Russia sanctions bill, citing economic pressures facing Moscow and critical needs in Ukraine.
- The bipartisan legislation, which passed the Senate 86-11, would allow the U.S. president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.
- House lawmakers are scheduled to return from recess this week, but some Democrats have expressed concern over granting the president expanded tariff authority.
Key facts
- Senator Richard Blumenthal urged the House of Representatives to pass the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which passed the Senate with an 86-11 vote before the August recess.[CBS News]
- The bill gives the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, with exceptions for nations importing under 15% of their gas from Russia that are actively reducing imports.[CBS News]
- Blumenthal stated that during a visit to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally identified the passage of the sanctions bill as his top priority.[CBS News]
- The legislation also targets Russian oligarchs, financial institutions, and the 'shadow fleet' used to bypass existing energy restrictions.[CBS News]
What remains uncertain
- It is unclear whether the bill will gather sufficient support to pass the House, given concerns from some House Democrats regarding the expansion of presidential tariff authority.[CBS News]