Overview
- The Senate approved the package in early August and sent it to the House, where leaders face a push to consider the measure when members return in September.
- The legislation directs the U.S. Trade Representative to identify the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas and lets the president impose tariffs of up to 100% on those buyers.
- The bill includes a broad 'national interest' waiver that lets the president lift or avoid sanctions or tariffs by submitting a written explanation to Congress.
- Senator Richard Blumenthal said in Kyiv on Aug. 26 that he has asked President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to lobby House members and that he is pressing House leadership for a September vote.
- The measure also codifies many existing sanctions, targets Russia’s 'shadow fleet' of ships that evade restrictions, and ties any end to sanctions to a congressionally reviewed peace agreement aimed at cutting funds for Russia’s war.