US House passes new Russia sanctions targeting 'ghost fleet' and energy imports

The US House of Representatives voted 262-159 on Wednesday to approve a new sanctions package against Russia and its allies over the war in Ukraine. The bill, previously passed by the Senate 86-11 in August, targets Russia's "ghost fleet" of tankers and imposes tariffs up to 100% on the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India. It also sanctions Russian energy and defense companies, President Vladimir Putin, and other officials.

The legislation is named after its chief sponsor, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died in July. It marks the first major congressional action against Moscow since President Donald Trump returned to office. Democratic lawmakers supported the measures for Ukraine but hesitated to grant Trump additional tariff authority.

“With all due respect, you told us exactly the same thing a year ago. What are the odds we come back here in a year and you say the same thing? Maybe we shouldn't waste a year.”

Meanwhile, Russians began a three-day vote on Friday to elect a new State Duma. The ruling United Russia party is expected to retain control it has held for 23 years, as the only anti-war party, Yabloko, was barred from running. Drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure and growing public anxiety frame the tightly controlled election.

Before signing the sanctions bill, Trump is reportedly considering offering business agreements to Russia as an incentive to negotiate peace. White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner recently met Putin in Moscow, where Kushner challenged Putin's claim that Russian forces would soon capture all of Donbas, noting he made the same prediction a year ago.