Proposed Russia sanctions bill faces legislative gridlock over tariff powers

The proposed legislation, championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, seeks to authorize 100% tariffs on the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, as well as countries deemed to be facilitating sanctions evasion. While the bill has cleared initial procedural hurdles in the Senate, it faces mounting resistance in the House of Representatives. Senior Democrats, including Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Richard Neal, have warned that the measure could trigger domestic inflation and create economic instability.

Beyond the partisan divide, the bill has sparked internal Republican skepticism. Many lawmakers remain wary of the broad executive power it grants President Donald Trump, fearing that such sweeping tariff authority—even with a five-year sunset clause—could fundamentally alter international trade relations. Experts note that the legislation shifts the U.S. approach from targeting specific entities to wielding secondary tariffs as a blunt tool against entire national economies. With November elections approaching, some legislators are advocating for a delay, preferring to wait until after the vote to debate such significant changes to trade policy.