WASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by a 262–159 vote, sending the bipartisan package to President Donald Trump’s desk, according to NBC News, CNBC, and Reuters.

The Senate cleared the bill last month 86–11. A White House official told CNBC that Trump intends to sign it. Named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who championed the cause before his death in July, the measure targets Russia’s energy revenues that help fund the war on Ukraine and also extends Iran sanctions authority at Trump’s request.

The act’s most consequential new tool, the Center for Strategic and International Studies said in analysis cited by NBC, is authority for tariffs of up to 100% on third countries that purchase significant volumes of Russian energy — China and India are among the top purchasers cited in coverage. CSIS noted a carve-out for countries whose imports amount to less than 15% of Russia’s annual natural gas exports and that are taking significant steps to cut dependence. The bill also authorizes sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, and financial institutions, and Reuters reported it targets Russia’s defense sector and “shadow fleet” of tankers.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters he had “always been in favor” of the Russia sanctions bill and that Republicans “had to build a consensus around it.” Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), a lead sponsor who worked on the bill with Graham, said on the floor it can help force Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. Daniel Balson of Razom for Ukraine called passage “momentous.”

Top House Democrats warned the tariff language expands presidential power. Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), and Richard Neal (D-Mass.) said in a joint statement the bill would “do more harm than good,” arguing it “dramatically expand[s] presidential tariff authorities while failing to mandate sanctions on Russia.” On the floor Wednesday, Meeks said: “we cannot grant the president more tariff power that we know he will abuse.” That concentration-of-power objection is a real institutional concern even as a bipartisan majority voted to put the package on Trump’s desk.

Dated Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026: House 262–159; Senate 86–11 last month; heads to Trump (White House official says he intends to sign); up-to-100% tariffs on major Russian-energy buyers; Iran sanctions authority extended.

Sources