Trump Expected To Sign House-Passed 'Sanctions From Hell' Anti-Russia Bill
After on Wednesday Congress passed a greatly strengthened anti-Russia sanctions bill in memory of the late super-hawk Lindsey Graham, a White House official has confirmed Thursday that President Trump plans to sign it into law.
The Associated Press White House correspondent further noted, "Unclear when, but it does take a minute for bill to be enrolled and sent to the White House." So it could be authorized at any time in the coming days or next week.
After last month the Senate passed it, what's become the "Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" was also cleared in the House by this week's 262-159 vote. The Republican Senator passed away in July, just after getting back home after a trip to Ukraine, where he toured a drone and local munitions factory.
The bill targets major purchasers of Russian energy like China and India, which could set Beijing and Washington on a collision course. The timing is ironic and sensitive, given President Trump is just about to host China's Xi at the White House.
Trump's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told the House Financial Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, "With China, we have had some very good private discussions, and I look forward to those continuing this weekend when I meet my Chinese counterpart Vice [Premier] He Lifeng."
This is how the breakthrough in the house to finally push the bill forward to the President's desk came about:
The rule, teeing up a final vote on the legislation, appeared headed for defeat until two Democrats — for the second time in as many weeks — broke precedent and voted to advance the measure. Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) also broke with Democrats on a rule vote earlier this month, shocking House Democratic leaders. Rule votes are typically seen as a test of party loyalty, and it is unusual for the minority party to cross the aisle in support of them.
Even more important is Moscow's response, describing that the "sanctions from hell" package will only ensure Ukraine peace becomes more elusive.
But there's a chance that Trump may not actually sign it - or may at least hold off until after the Xi visit - also given he has lately sought to re-prioritize finding a way toward peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The same US Senator who traveled to Ukraine with Lindsey Graham before the war, beating the drums of confrontation with Russia, is now desperately clinging to yet another sanctions bill.
— Richard (@ricwe123) September 17, 2026
Years of escalation apparently haven’t been enough.
Instead of accepting reality, he’s… pic.twitter.com/X3FBUU1mBn
"We are, of course, monitoring the progress of this document. It falls under the category of unfriendly actions, and of course the imposition of any additional sanctions by the U.S. would certainly complicate efforts to find a peace settlement in Ukraine," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
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