Congress passes sweeping sanctions bill against Russia after two years

Congress has finally passed a sweeping sanctions bill aimed squarely at Russia. This marks the first time in over two years that the US Congress has approved legislation helping Ukraine. The United States House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to send this bipartisan measure to President Donald Trump's desk. It ends more than a year of delays and obstacles. The final vote came in at 262 to 159. The Senate had already cleared it earlier.

This long-awaited bill gives the president new power to impose tariffs up to 100 percent on countries like China and India that buy Russian energy supplies. Washington would use this tool to further restrict money flowing to Moscow. The measure also targets Russian officials, banks, and a shadow fleet of tankers keeping Russian oil moving. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushed hard for the bill's passage. He made a direct appeal to senators shortly before they voted last month.

Fifty-eight Democrats broke with their party leadership to join most Republicans in passing it. The Democratic Party has overwhelmingly backed Ukraine throughout the war. However, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposed the measure. He cited new tariff authorities given to the White House that could exploit US allies. "The manner in which this bill has been written doesn't require the president of the United States to impose sanctions on Russia," Jeffries said on the House floor Wednesday. "In fact, there are so many loopholes written into the bill, I believe, that it's very unlikely that the sanctions relief contemplated in the legislation will ever see the light of day."

This law marks the first time in more than two years the US Congress passed aid for Ukraine. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina championed the effort until his sudden death in July. The bill was named after him following that loss. Graham had helped negotiate President Trump's support for it before he died. House Speaker Mike Johnson hailed the vote, saying it places "maximum pressure on … the Russian war machine," including Vladimir Putin himself. "For too long, Putin has bankrolled this devastating war with money and resources from countries willing to look the other way, and today, that ends," Johnson said in a social media post.

After the vote, Republicans and Democrats from both chambers celebrated at a rare bipartisan news conference. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut co-wrote the bill with Graham. He hopes sanctions will force Putin back to the negotiating table and end the conflict. "To Vladimir Putin – we have your number," Blumenthal said. "And to Ukraine – you are not alone." Trump is expected to sign the bill into law soon.