All articles tagged with #russia sanctions
President Trump announced a $15 billion steel plant in Iowa, built by Indian firm Essar Group, which has deep ties to Russian energy giant Rosneft. The project, set to create 1,750 permanent jobs, faces scrutiny due to Essar’s prior sale of its oil refinery to a Russian-led consortium now under EU sanctions.
Swiss voters decide Sunday whether to constitutionally enshrine strict neutrality, potentially barring military alliances and UN-unapproved sanctions on Russia.
The House passed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, granting Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs up to 100% on top purchasers of Russian energy and broadening sanctions on Russian officials and enablers, but Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned the bill has “so many loopholes” that could prevent sanctions or harm Americans, in a 262-159 vote on the eve of a midterm recess.
Speaker Mike Johnson sent the House home early, delaying a vote on Pete Hegseth’s impeachment as lawmakers prepare final votes on a Russia sanctions bill backed by Lindsey Graham.
Two moderate Democrats, Rep. Jared Golden and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, voted with Republicans on a procedural rule to advance a Russia sanctions bill, defying House Democratic leadership under Hakeem Jeffries; Jeffries called the move a serious breach of trust that warrants a response, highlighting leadership strains as Golden retires and Perez faces a tough midterm race.
Two centrist House Democrats, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (re election bid) and Rep. Jared Golden (retiring), bucked their party by backing a GOP rule to move a Russia sanctions bill forward, prompting a tense floor exchange with No. 2 Democrat Rep. Katherine Clark. The episode highlights ongoing questions of party discipline as Democrats weigh potential punishments, while the White House presses to advance sanctions ahead of the midterms.
House Democrats are divided over the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which would authorize the Trump administration to levy up to 100% tariffs on Russia’s five top oil importers. While leadership opposes the bill, centrists like Rep. Jared Golden and Ukraine Caucus members are weighing their votes, and proposed amendments to soften the trade language were blocked as the bill advances to a House vote after Senate approval (86-11).
Capitol Hill is racing to set guardrails for artificial intelligence before the midterms, with Senate leaders negotiating a bipartisan AI safety framework as House Republicans weigh fast-track action and plan talks with AI executives; the week also features a Russia sanctions push clearing a procedural hurdle, crypto regulation updates with new amendments, and ongoing nominations and fundraising signaling broad, high-stakes policy debates on tech, security, and economics.
House Democrats grapple with a Senate-backed Russia sanctions bill that would authorize steep tariffs—up to 500% on Russia and 100% on its energy partners—in exchange for sanctions on Moscow, sparking a clash over granting President Trump expanded tariff authority. While most Democrats back strong actions against Russia, some warn the tariff provisions and constitutional implications are problematic. The bill cleared the House Rules Committee and is set for a floor vote amid intra-party dissent and GOP isolationist pressure.
Nearly the entire Senate Democratic caucus voted to grant President Trump limited tariff authority as part of a Russia sanctions package, trading leverage for guardrails aimed at preventing abuse; the power could allow duties up to 500% on Russian imports and up to 100% on the top five energy buyers, though supporters say the rules will curb misuse. Nine Democrats and Sen. Rand Paul opposed, arguing tariffs would burden Americans and risk unchecked presidential discretion, while Trump allies say the levy power strengthens sanctions leverage. The move unfolds amid broader tariff tensions, including Canada, and highlights ongoing debates over how tariffs should be used in foreign policy.
Senate leadership says a five‑week recess remains unlikely as all 100 members must sign off on a fast‑tracked agenda—funding through Dec. 11, a Russia sanctions bill, dozens of nominees (including Todd Blanche), and a bipartisan college athletics bill—while Republicans weigh a stopgap tied to Trump’s election‑security priorities. Intraparty fights over hemp language and a looming cryptocurrency vote, plus uncertainty around Blanche’s confirmation, complicate progress, and House Speaker Mike Johnson asserts he intends to stay in leadership as dynamics unfold.
The Senate moved a Russia sanctions package named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham with broad bipartisanship (86-12), granting new authority to sanction Russian officials and financial entities and to levy tariffs on Russian imports. Zelenskyy attended Graham’s funeral and lawmakers pushed the bill forward before August recess, but it still must pass the House; several Democrats and Rand Paul opposed, citing concerns about delegating tariff authority to the executive.
Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death leaves the GOP without a key foreign‑policy interlocutor who bridged Trump and Democrats, pressed a hawkish Iran posture, backed Ukraine aid, and backed aggressive Russia sanctions. His unique Trump‑Graham chemistry and hands‑on diplomacy helped shape policy across Kyiv and Washington, and lawmakers warn that replacing him will be nearly impossible, potentially rewiring the party’s approach to foreign affairs.
Even as Washington gathers to bid farewell to Sen. Lindsey Graham, his final sanctions package—expanded to also target Iran—moves toward a Senate vote with bipartisan support. The bill preserves sanctions on Putin and Russian officials, imposes steep tariffs on Russian imports and energy buyers, and adds a Trump waiver mechanism along with a national-interest certification and sanctions on Russia’s energy-shipping “shadow fleet.” Renamed in Graham’s honor, the legislation would symbolize a defining milestone of his national-security legacy as world leaders like Zelenskyy and Netanyahu attend tributes in D.C.
EU negotiators approved a 21st sanctions package against Russia, tightening penalties on vessels, banks, and oil traders; Greece won a derogation to allow some Russian LNG shipments to non-EU clients for pre-invasion contracts, while the oil price cap remains frozen at $44 per barrel for 12 months to avoid market shocks. The package also expands sanctions on the shadow fleet and other entities, with Bulgaria and Austria securing related concessions and fisheries restrictions largely dropped from the final text.