Largest Move Since Trump's Return: U.S. House Passes Broad Sanctions Package Against Russia

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a broad new sanctions package aimed at increasing pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine, and sent the bill to President Donald Trump for his signature.

The Republican-controlled House passed the measure by a vote of 262 to 159, marking the largest legislative action by the United States against Moscow since Trump returned to the White House.

Trump affirmed he would sign the bill into law after it was previously passed by the Senate last month by a vote of 86 to 11.

The legislation targets Russia’s energy and defense sectors, President Vladimir Putin and other officials, as well as what is known as Russia’s "shadow fleet" used to circumvent Western sanctions.

The bill grants the U.S. president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India, in an effort to cut off Moscow’s revenue stream funding its war.

However, the broad tariff powers sparked division within the Democratic Party, as Democrats supportive of Ukraine expressed reservations about granting Trump additional trade powers.

Despite these concerns, dozens of Democratic lawmakers backed the bill, while only a small number of Republicans opposed it, arguing that the sanctions conflict with free-market principles or the policy of non-intervention in foreign conflicts.