House Advances Russia Sanctions Bill, but Path to Passage Murky
The US House Rules Committee on Monday advanced legislation tightening sanctions against Russia, clearing the way for a full House vote expected later this week. The bill, which also targets Iran and buyers of Russian oil and gas, passed the committee by a 7–3 vote, with seven votes in favor and three against, according to a vote streamed on the committee's website. Lawmakers also rejected several amendments proposed by Democrats, and the measure was subsequently sent to the full House.
The legislation, which the Senate passed overwhelmingly on August 7, would impose sanctions on countries that purchase Russian energy resources, and would extend existing sanctions on Iran. It also includes language granting President Donald Trump additional authority to impose significant tariffs on Russia and its allies. Under the bill, the exact tariff rate for each country would be determined by the US Trade Representative, and the legislation currently identifies countries eligible for such tariffs without specifying the rates, leaving that determination to the executive branch.
Democrats Divided Over Tariff Powers
The bill's tariff provisions have sparked the most controversy, dividing House Democrats and drawing opposition from Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. During a Monday press conference, Jeffries said, "We're going to continue to stand by the Ukrainian people and find a path forward to get a sanctions bill done while addressing the very real concerns that [Democrats] have raised about giving Donald Trump authority that the Supreme Court recently made clear he does not currently have, and should not have, because it belongs to the Congress."
Three ranking Democrats on key House committees — Gregory Meeks of Foreign Affairs, Richard Neal of Ways and Means, and Don Beyer of the Joint Economic Committee — issued a joint statement saying House Democrats are "rock solid" in their support of Ukraine, but the bill would do more harm than good. "In the meantime, the President has ample authority to expand sanctions on those fueling Russia's war machine, including those targeted by this bill, and we renew our call on him to do so without further delay," the statement read.
A separate bill backed by Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks and several others aims to eliminate the Russian sanctions provision, offering an alternative path for lawmakers who oppose the tariff language.
Republicans Split on Sanctions Impact
While most Republicans support the measure, some have raised concerns about the potential impact of sanctions on domestic markets and the broader economy. The bill's provisions targeting buyers of Russian oil and gas have drawn particular scrutiny, given that China and India have been the two main buyers of Russian energy. The legislation does not name Russia's trading partners directly but mentions the five largest importers of oil and gas by volume, leaving the exact tariff rates to be determined by the US Trade Representative based on each country's share of Russian trade.
The House breaks into early recess on Thursday and is expected to reconvene on November 9 after the midterm elections, adding procedural urgency to the current session.
Uncertain Fate in the Full House
Despite the committee's approval, passage on the House floor remains uncertain. Sources told reporters that enough Republicans and Democrats had backed the measure to clear Wednesday's procedural vote, but the narrow margin suggests opposition from both parties. While the majority of House Democrats support action to help Ukraine against Russia's invasion, the tariff provisions have eroded that support, forcing lawmakers to weigh their commitment to Ukraine against their long-standing opposition to granting the president broad tariff powers.
House Republican leaders have expressed confidence in the bill's chances, but the mixed signals from both parties suggest the final vote could be close. If approved by the House, the bill will be submitted to President Trump for signing, a step that would make the sanctions law.