The US House of Representatives is moving closer to adopting a new sanctions package against Russia. According to information familiar with lawmakers' plans, the relevant bill will be put to a vote in the lower chamber of Congress next week. The document, dubbed the 'hellish sanctions' bill in the media, has already been approved by the US Senate by an overwhelming majority, making the vote in the House of Representatives a key stage in its passage.

What the bill entails

The author of the document is Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a well-known staunch supporter of Ukraine. According to the text of the bill, it authorizes US President Donald Trump to impose 100-percent tariffs on countries that are the largest buyers of Russian oil products. This primarily refers to China, India, and Turkey, which, according to sources, account for the main demand for Russian oil outside the exporting country.

Voting procedure and the position of the House of Representatives

According to a source from the publication, the bill will be considered under a procedure that requires a simple majority of votes for adoption. Despite the fact that, earlier, according to RBC-Ukraine data, Graham's initiative faced new obstacles in the House of Representatives, its leaders decided to continue considering the document and put it to a vote. This indicates that the blocking obstacles within the lower chamber have been overcome.

Political context and support

The bill enjoys bipartisan support, as well as the support of the White House, which increases the chances of its successful adoption. Earlier, in early July, the US Senate approved the 'hellish sanctions' bill against Russia and Iran, laying the foundation for its further advancement in the House of Representatives. The combination of these factors makes the upcoming vote one of the notable events in US sanctions policy.

Contradictory data

The provided materials contain a discrepancy in the chronology of the Senate's approval of the document. On the one hand, the text states that the Senate approved the bill 'last month,' while on the other hand, it is separately noted that the approval took place 'in early July.' Given the current date of September, these formulations do not fully align with each other, and the exact month of the Senate vote is not unambiguously recorded in the sources. In addition, in the initial presentation, the information about the 100-percent tariffs and the list of countries (China, India, Turkey) is presented in a fragmented manner, which requires cautious interpretation. The core fact — the referral of the bill to a vote in the House of Representatives next week — is confirmed by several independent sources.

Significance for sanctions policy

The adoption of the bill in the House of Representatives will open the way for a mechanism to take effect that allows Washington to apply maximum tariff measures against the largest importers of Russian oil. This could increase pressure on the economic chains through which Russia sells its oil products, and will be a continuation of the course set by Lindsey Graham's initiative and supported by both Congress and the presidential administration.