Published Sep 16, 2026 | 1:16 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 16, 2026 | 1:17 PM
The Russian Sanctions Bill will give Donald Trump unchecked authority to impose duties on countries buying Russian oil. (Representative pic/iStock)
Synopsis: Championed by the late US Senator Lindsey O. Graham, the Sanctioning Russia Act gained momentum in the US Congress after 60 senators co-sponsored the revised version, aimed at reducing the Kremlin’s oil revenues by imposing tougher sanctions on Russia’s energy and financial sectors. It also authorises the White House to waive sanctions by providing a national security justification and certification.
The US House of Representatives will vote on the Russian Sanctions Bill that would give President Donald Trump the authority to impose steep duties on countries buying Russian oil.
The vote’s outcome may impact India, estimated to be the second-largest importer of Russian oil. The Bill, which will be put to a vote shortly on Wednesday, 16 September, envisages a 100 percent tariff on Russian oil buyers, including India and China.
Championed by the late US Senator Lindsey O. Graham, the Sanctioning Russia Act gained momentum in the US Congress after 60 senators co-sponsored the revised version, aimed at reducing the Kremlin’s oil revenues by imposing tougher sanctions on Russia’s energy and financial sectors.
The Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, 2026, gained further momentum on Tuesday, 15 September, after two Democrats broke ranks to vote alongside Republicans.
The US Senate had passed the Bill on 7 August with an 86-11 vote. The legislation would give Trump broad, unchecked authority to impose tariffs. It would also empower the US to impose sanctions on tankers in the “shadow fleet” that help Russia circumvent restrictions on oil movement.
Also Read: What Trump tariffs mean for India
Washington is pushing for the legislation, arguing that the Kremlin’s crude oil revenues were funding the war in Ukraine.
The legislation would give Trump broad authority to impose tariffs without sufficient checks.
Beyond the bipartisan Shadow Fleet Sanctions Act, the bill envisions creating two new authorities. It would allow the US Trade Representative to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent (down from the previous 500 percent) on Russian oil importers. Additionally, it will allow the White House to waive sanctions upon providing a national security justification and certification.
India is likely to face higher US tariffs unless it significantly slashes Russian oil imports.
Earlier, the White House imposed sanctions on India in April 2025, but rolled them back to 18 per cent from 50 per cent. The rollback followed an agreement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump in February 2026. India had then committed to curb Russian purchases.
However, the plan fell apart within weeks due to the US-Israel war on Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which impacted India’s imports of petroleum from the Middle East.
If the Bill passes through the House of Representatives, India will have to explore alternatives to keep the country running.
Incidentally, Russian President Vladimir Putin was in New Delhi for the 18th edition of the two-day BRICS Summit from 12 September.
