US House to vote on 500% tariff bill targeting Russian exports

The measure, designated H.R. 5334 and known as the Lindsey Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act, was placed on the House Rules Committee's agenda for consideration under regular procedure, Radio Liberty correspondent Alex Raufoglu reported.

The vote will be held under a procedure requiring only a simple majority, the Bloomberg source said.

The bill proposes a 500% tariff on Russian exports to the United States. It also provides for targeted tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries that rank among the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas or that help Moscow evade energy sanctions.

Bloomberg names China, India and Turkey as the largest buyers of Russian petroleum products. According to the agency, the document covers the five largest buyers and the five countries most actively facilitating the evasion of energy sanctions.

A separate provision provides for personal sanctions against Vladimir Putin, members of the government and the leadership of the security services.

The most contentious provision grants US President Donald Trump significant new powers to impose tariffs. Critics, as Radio Liberty notes, point out that broad tariff authority risks creating economic consequences beyond Russia and gives the White House latitude in trade policy.

The bill has met resistance in the House. Some congressmen feared that expanding Trump's tariff powers could drive up oil prices, The Moscow Times writes, citing Bloomberg.

Retail industry representatives and the US Chamber of Commerce oppose the initiative. They fear the law would give the administration a new legal basis for the broad application of tariffs. In a draft letter to House leaders seen by Bloomberg, business groups urge Congress to remove the tariff powers from the bill and focus on targeted sanctions and tough enforcement against sanctions evasion.

In early September, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the document raised questions among some Republicans, although both parties broadly support tougher sanctions against Russia. Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast said congressmen were assessing the initiative's possible consequences for the fuel market.

On July 28, the Senate voted 86 to 12 to advance the Graham–Blumenthal bill. One of its authors was the late Republican senator Lindsey Graham, one of the most consistent supporters of Ukraine.