The US House of Representatives has voted to advance a bill that would authorise President Donald Trump to impose 100 per cent tariffs on India and other countries that purchase oil and gas from Russia.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 cleared a procedural hurdle in the House on Tuesday evening after two Democratic lawmakers crossed party lines to vote with Republicans. The resolution passed 214 to 211, in a result that surprised the House Democratic leadership. A final vote is expected on Wednesday.
The bill targets Russia’s energy sector and its leadership, and seeks to sanction the “shadow fleet” of vessels that help Moscow evade existing oil sanctions. Washington maintains that Russia’s crude oil revenues are funding the war against Ukraine. The legislation also authorises 100 per cent tariffs on the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas by volume, a category that includes both India and China. The Senate version, passed 86 to 11 on August 7, does not name these countries directly but refers to them by import volume.
Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has opposed the bill, arguing it would give Trump unchecked authority to impose tariffs without guardrails.
The vote comes as pro-Ukraine lobbying in Washington intensifies. The Ukraine Action Summit, organised by the American Coalition for Ukraine, is pressing US lawmakers for continued support to Kyiv.
For India, the bill raises significant trade risks. India is one of the largest buyers of Russian crude, having sharply increased imports since the start of the Ukraine war. A 100 per cent tariff on Indian goods entering the US, if imposed, would mark a major escalation in trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi.
The bill must pass a final House vote before being sent to the President. The House is due to begin its early recess on Thursday and is expected to reconvene on November 9 after the midterm elections.
(Source: India Today)
