Graham's Russia Sanctions Bill Hits Snags Over Tariff Provisions

A Russia sanctions bill championed by late Senator Lindsey Graham faces an uncertain future in Congress as some Democrats and Republicans raise concerns about new trade powers the legislation would grant President Donald Trump.

The bill, which aims to impose sanctions on Russian officials and authorize 100 percent tariffs on major importers of Russian oil and gas, has been met with opposition from several lawmakers who argue that it could fuel US inflation and give Trump unprecedented authority to target countries through secondary tariffs.

Some Republicans remain uneasy about Trump's previous sweeping tariffs, while Democrats are concerned about the sunset clause that would allow Trump to waive sanctions for unspecified national security reasons. Ukraine's ambassador to the US has urged lawmakers to pass the bill quickly before winter sets in, but critics argue that it could upend functioning multilateral cooperation.

The legislation, which also includes a measure to extend Iran energy and weapons sanctions, advanced with bipartisan support in the Senate but faces bigger challenges in the House of Representatives. With elections looming in November, some lawmakers are hesitant to pass the bill until Democrats have more power over what they see as unprecedented legislation.