US Congress passes Lindsey Graham’s Russia sanctions bill

If signed into law, the legislation would allow the president to impose tariffs on countries buying energy from Moscow

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill authorizing President Donald Trump to slap tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy and impose tougher sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine conflict.

The lower chamber approved the legislation on Wednesday by a vote of 262-159. According to The Hill, 203 Republicans and 58 Democrats voted in favor, while seven Republicans and 152 Democrats opposed it. The bill passed the US Senate last month.

The bill, which also grants Trump the authority to impose additional sanctions on Iran, is named after hawkish Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who unexpectedly passed away last month.

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