Trump Signs Late Sen. Graham's Russia and Iran Sanctions Act Into Law, Gaining 100% Tariff Power
President Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law on September 18, the White House confirmed. The bill, H.R. 5334, expands sanctions on Russian officials, banks, oligarchs and the so-called "shadow fleet" of tankers used to dodge existing restrictions, and gives the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, a group that currently includes China and India. It also extends the Iran Sanctions Act for another five years.
The bill is named for Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who pushed the sanctions effort for more than a year before his sudden death in July at age 71. It cleared the Senate 86-11 in August and the House 262-159 on September 16, with 58 Democrats joining most Republicans in support while seven Republicans, including Thomas Massie and Chip Roy, voted no. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Trump and Congress for the law, tying it to Graham's advocacy during the war.
Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House on September 24, days after signing a law that could put tariffs on one of China's biggest energy trade relationships. The U.S. Trade Representative called it the most significant grant of tariff authority to a president since 1974. Whether Trump actually uses the new power, or leaves it unused as he has with existing Russia sanctions for nearly a year according to sanctions researchers, will determine its real-world impact.
What supporters say:
The bipartisan margins, 86-11 in the Senate and 262-159 in the House, reflect rare consensus that squeezing Russia's oil revenue is the most direct way to pressure Putin toward ending the war in Ukraine.
Extending Iran sanctions for five years keeps existing pressure on Tehran's weapons and energy sectors in place without a legislative gap.
Naming the bill after Graham gives it weight as a bipartisan legacy item from a senator who spent his final months pushing for tougher measures on Moscow.
What critics say:
House Democratic leaders including Hakeem Jeffries warned the law hands Trump "extraordinary power," including waiver authority that lets him decide when to actually enforce it.
The 100% tariff provision could raise consumer costs if applied broadly to major trading partners like China and India, according to critics of the administration's wider trade approach.
Some conservatives, including Reps. Thomas Massie and Chip Roy, opposed the bill on grounds that it expands executive tariff authority further than Congress should delegate.
What's your take?
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Sources:
#RussiaSanctions #Tariffs #Congress #Ukraine #LindseyGraham
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