Sept. 16 (UPI) — The U.S. House of Representatives voted Wednesday to pass a Russia sanctions bill that would give President Donald Trump new authority to impose tariffs on countries that buy Russian gas and oil.
The bill passed 262-159. The Senate approved it last month, and it will now go to Trump for his signature. It also includes a provision extending Iran sanctions.
The measure imposes tougher sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine. The late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a supporter of Ukraine, had worked for bipartisan support on the bill, which was delayed for months because of earlier Trump opposition.
On Wednesday, 203 Republicans, 58 Democrats and one Independent voted in favor of the measure, while seven Republicans and 152 Democrats voted against it.
There were varied reasons for the opposition, with Democrat leadership opposing the bill because of the tariff provisions, The Hill reported. It allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that purchase the most Russian oil and gas and those that help Russia evade other sanctions. It also targets Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a tanker network that transports Russian oil.
“Life is way too expensive in the United States of America,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who voted against the measure. “Why in the world would this Congress or the People’s House give this president unfettered authority to visit more tariffs on the world that will have an adverse effect on the American people? I can’t do it.”
Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., who voted for the bill, said on social media that, “Congress must do everything in its power to ensure that a democratic Ukraine wins the war against an authoritarian Russia.”
“If the United States is to remain a global leader for democracy, we must be definitive and unwavering in our support for our democratic ally Ukraine and continue to strongly oppose Vladimir Putin,” Goldman wrote. “Our bill is likely our one opportunity to do that for the foreseeable future. We simply cannot let it pass us by.”
The bill was renamed for Graham, who died in July.
Source: U.S. News
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