House Lawmakers Pass Lindsey Graham Sanctions Bill Despite Tariff Fight

The House of Representatives voted 262-159 to give final congressional approval to the Lindsey Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Bill, and one Texas Republican played a key role in getting the legislation through the chamber.

Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) has continued to advocate for the bill, which would impose sanctions on Russia and Iran, since the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in July. Before the vote, the Texas congressman took to the House floor to give the bill one last push.

“A vote for this bill is a vote for Ukraine and the free world,” Rep. McCaul said. “A vote against this bill is a vote for Putin and his unholy alliance.”

However, some Democrats pushed back on the legislation over concerns that it would give President Donald Trump too much authority over tariffs on the countries that rely on Russian energy, hurting Americans by raising costs for consumers.

“We are already in a senseless trade war with Canada…,” Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) said on the House floor. “The legal basis for this trade war is already dubious. That is precisely why the president wants this new, clearer and broader authority that this bill would provide.”

Rep. Meeks said he has proposed several amendments to the bill, and that he would support it if the tariff provisions were removed.

“My position is entirely about the merits of the legislation,” Rep. Meeks said.

But Rep. McCaul said he was disappointed to see some of his colleagues across the aisle take this position.

“[Their arguments are] all about the president,” Rep. McCaul said. “It's false arguments about expansion of tariff authorities, when [the tariffs are] actually limited to our adversaries buying energy from Russia.”

Rep. McCaul said he worried what message failing to pass the bill would send to some of the U.S. foreign adversaries, including Russia, China and Iran, on where the chamber’s position stands on national security.

“We are free to have disagreements — that’s democracy,” he said. “But when we’re addressing our adversaries, we need to speak as one — with one voice, as one nation.”

As the bill is also meant to honor Sen. Graham, Rep. McCaul said he recalled the late senator saying he was “optimistic” about Congress’ ability to find a “formula” to end the war in Ukraine.

“This is the formula — this bill,” Rep. McCaul said. “I couldn’t agree more with the late Lindsey Graham, my friend and mentor.”