US Congress passes Russia sanctions bill
The bill was passed by 262-159, after breezing through the Senate last month in an 86-11 vote [FILE: Feb 5, 2019]Image: Alex Edelman/CNP/picture allianceAdvertisementThe US Republican-led House of Representatives passed on Wednesday a package of broad new sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.
The billΒ passed 262-159, after breezing through the Senate in an 86-11 vote last month.
The bill, considered the toughest legislative effort against Russia during US President Donald Trump's second term, awaits the president's signature to come into law. Trump has said he will sign it.
The package targets Russia's energy and defense sectors, President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials. It also targets Moscow's so-called shadow fleet, old tankers it uses to circumvent sanctions.
More controversially, the legislation allows Trump to impose secondary sanctions on countries which rely on Russian oil and gas, in the form of tariffs. China and India are expected to be the main targets of such measures.
The bill would also extend sanctions on Iran.
It was drafted by late Republican senator Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly in July, since April 2025.
But Trump has delayed it, as his foreign policy favors retaining control over tariffs and sanctions rather than leaving such decisions to Congress.
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