Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill With Broad Tariff Powers

The United States Senate voted 86-12 on July 29, 2026, to pass the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. The legislation empowers Donald Trump to impose a 500% tariff on all Russian imports and tariffs up to 100% on the top five purchasers of Russian energy and countries aiding sanctions evasion. Targeted nations include India, China, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan. The bill also extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 through 2031 to maintain economic pressure on Tehran.

Following the vote, President Trump urged lawmakers to amend the bill to include specific tariffs against Iran, arguing such a move would make the legislation "much stronger." This request potentially delays the bill's progress in the House of Representatives, where leadership had planned a procedural route barring amendments. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who attended the Senate vote, described the act as a step toward peace and a signal of support for Ukraine.

Opponents, including Senators Ron Wyden and Maggie Hassan, warned that granting the president such broad tariff authority could trigger inflation and disrupt global trade. The legislation follows a February Supreme Court ruling that struck down previous reciprocal tariffs, prompting the administration to seek new legal authority. In response to the bill, India's Ministry of External Affairs stated it is monitoring the situation, maintaining that energy procurement is predicated on the national priorities of its 1.4 billion citizens.