House panel weighs Russia sanctions bill as tariff fight looms

The House Rules Committee is scheduled to consider Senate amendments to a Russia and Iran sanctions bill Monday, creating the next test for legislation that passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support but faces Democratic concerns over expanded presidential tariff powers.

The committee is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Eastern on September 14, 2026, in room H-313 of the Capitol. Its agenda lists the Senate amendments to H.R. 5334, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.

That meeting is a procedural step, not final House passage. It would not send the bill to President Donald Trump and would not impose new sanctions or tariffs by itself.

What the Senate passed

The Senate passed H.R. 5334, as amended, by an 86-11 vote on August 7. The Senate floor record says the measure was passed with an amendment and a title amendment.

The package would impose sanctions on Russian officials, financial institutions and energy projects. It also would expand sanctions coverage to older, reflagged oil tankers associated with efforts to circumvent existing restrictions. The bill includes provisions related to Iran and would allow the White House to waive sanctions or restrictions if the president certifies that doing so is in the national interest.

The Senate separately rejected, by a 32-64 vote, an amendment from Sen. Rand Paul that would have removed the provision authorizing duties on countries that purchase Russian-origin crude oil or natural gas or facilitate sanctions evasion.

Why the tariff language is the fault line

If enacted, the bill would authorize the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas and on countries helping Russia evade sanctions. The package limits the authority to specified major importers and sanctions-evasion networks. It also includes exceptions for some countries that import less than 15% of Russia’s natural gas exports and are taking steps to reduce their dependence on Russian energy, according to The Associated Press.

House Democrats have not uniformly opposed pressure on Russia or support for Ukraine. Their central objection is the scope of the new tariff authority, which critics say could give the president broad discretion to impose tariffs on countries that may include U.S. allies.

Reps. Gregory Meeks, Richard Neal and Don Beyer said in a joint statement that House Democrats support Ukraine but believe the bill in its current form could do more harm than good. They called for negotiations on language that could win stronger support in both chambers. Reuters also reported that Meeks and Beyer objected to tariff powers they said could be used broadly and could raise costs for U.S. importers and consumers.

Those possible effects are not immediate or certain. The authority would not exist unless Congress passes the bill and the president signs it, and any economic impact would depend on how the administration implements it.

What remains uncertain

Rules Committee consideration could determine how the measure moves toward a House floor vote, including what rule governs debate and whether lawmakers seek changes. Committee action alone would not amount to House approval.

The timing is significant because the House’s September legislative calendar is narrowing as lawmakers prepare to spend more time in their districts campaigning ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. AP reported that the coming week could be the last practical opportunity for the House to take up the package before campaign travel limits floor time.

What to watch next

The immediate checkpoint is Monday’s 4 p.m. Rules Committee meeting. The next questions are whether the committee approves a rule, whether lawmakers propose changes, whether House leaders schedule a floor vote and whether the House and Senate can resolve differences over presidential tariff authority.

Until those steps occur, the sanctions and tariff provisions remain proposed statutory authorities. No new sanctions or tariffs take effect merely because the committee considers the Senate-amended bill.

Sources

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