US House Advances Russia Sanctions Bill, India Could Face Tariffs of Up to 100%
The US House of Representatives has advanced legislation that could give President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, with India among the countries that could be subject to the measures.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 cleared a key procedural hurdle in the House on Tuesday, September 15, by a vote of 214-211. Two Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure, clearing the way for a final House vote.
The legislation was passed by the US Senate last month by an 86-11 vote.
India Named in Proposed House Amendment
A House amendment introduced by Democratic Representative Steny Hoyer would specifically name India and nine other countries as eligible for tariffs of up to 100% under the bill’s secondary tariff provisions.
The proposed list includes China, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Slovakia, the UAE, Singapore, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, alongside India.
The amendment would not itself impose a 100% tariff on Indian goods. Instead, it would make India explicitly eligible for such duties if the legislation becomes law and the President exercises the authority granted under it.
India has remained a significant buyer of Russian crude since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with discounted Russian oil becoming an important source of supply for Indian refiners. India has maintained that its energy purchases are driven by energy-security considerations and that it complies with applicable sanctions.
Bill Seeks Broader Powers to Target Russia’s Energy Trade
The legislation is aimed at increasing economic pressure on Russia by targeting its leadership, energy sector and vessels involved in sanctions evasion.
A key provision would allow the US President to impose secondary tariffs on major purchasers of Russian oil and gas. The Senate-passed version did not specifically identify individual countries, instead referring to the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas by volume.
However, the House is considering competing amendments that could change the scope of those powers.
Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks has proposed removing the provision that would give the President broad authority to impose secondary tariffs on Russia’s trading partners. He has also proposed provisions allowing certain sanctions to be waived on national-security grounds and authorising $15 billion in direct loans to Ukraine.
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