Graham’s “sanctions from hell” have cleared key hurdle in US Congress: what’s next

A bill to strengthen sanctions against russia—one of whose co-sponsors was the late Senator Lindsey Graham—passed its first procedural vote in the US House of Representatives.

The bill could now be brought before the full House as early as this week.

According to The Hill, on September 14, the House Rules Committee approved the bipartisan bill introduced by Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal.

The bill calls for increasing economic pressure on russia. Specifically, it proposes the possibility of imposing high tariffs on goods from countries that continue to purchase russian energy resources, particularly oil and petroleum products.

Following the committee’s decision, the bill is now eligible to move to the next stage—a vote on the House floor.

House Speaker Mike Johnson previously stated that the bill could be considered under an expedited procedure. In that case, the support of two-thirds of the members would be required for its passage.

Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Ukrainian presidential envoy for sanctions policy, said that the next votes could take place in the coming days.

According to him, a procedural vote in the House of Representatives is planned first, followed by a vote on the bill itself.

Previously, the bill’s prospects were uncertain. Despite support in the Senate, the bill faced resistance in the House of Representatives, which could have led to its consideration being postponed until the November congressional elections.

As a reminder, on August 7, the US Senate approved the bill with 86 votes in favor. The bill provides for a significant increase in sanctions pressure on russia and creates additional economic risks for countries that continue to purchase russian energy resources.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, congressional elections will take place in the US in November, following which the Democrats may strengthen their position. In that case, one of the possible consequences for Ukraine would be the advancement of sanctions against russia, specifically a legislative initiative previously supported by Senator Lindsey Graham.