The US House of Representatives has advanced legislation that could give President Donald Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas. India has been specifically identified in a House amendment as one of the countries that could potentially face such tariffs under the proposed legislation.
The legislation, known as the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, cleared a key procedural hurdle in the House on September 15. The procedural vote passed by 214 to 211, with two Democratic lawmakers joining Republicans in supporting the measure. The bill is now moving toward a final House vote.
The proposed legislation is significant for India because the country is one of the major buyers of Russian crude oil. The bill would provide the US President with broader authority to impose secondary tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy. However, the legislation does not automatically impose a 100 percent tariff on India. Any such tariff would depend on the authority being exercised after the bill becomes law.
The House version has also introduced a change from the legislation previously passed by the US Senate. The Senate passed the bill on August 7 by an 86 to 11 vote. The Senate version did not specifically name India or China. Instead, it referred generally to the largest purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas.
A House amendment introduced by Democratic Representative Steny Hoyer would explicitly identify 10 countries as potentially eligible for tariffs of up to 100 percent. The countries listed in the amendment include India, China, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Slovakia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
The proposed tariff authority is part of a wider effort to increase economic pressure on Russia. The bill targets Russia's leadership and energy sector and includes measures concerning vessels that the US says are involved in efforts to evade existing sanctions. Washington has argued that revenues from Russian energy exports contribute to Moscow's ability to continue its war against Ukraine.
The legislation also contains provisions relating to Iran. Its stated purpose includes extending and strengthening sanctions connected to Russia and Iran. The bill therefore covers more than the issue of tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy and represents a broader sanctions package.
The proposed measure has faced opposition from some lawmakers in the US Congress. Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks has proposed removing the section that would give the President broad authority to impose secondary tariffs. His proposal reflects concerns among some lawmakers about giving the executive branch extensive powers over trade policy.
Other amendments have also been proposed during the House process. Meeks has separately proposed provisions concerning the temporary waiver of sanctions in cases involving US national security. Another proposal would provide $15 billion in direct loans to Ukraine for defence-related purchases. The House Rules Committee has made these amendments available as lawmakers consider the legislation.
The House's decision to advance the bill came sooner than some observers had expected. The legislation had faced uncertainty over whether it would receive a vote before lawmakers left Washington for an extended recess ahead of the US midterm elections. Its movement through the House has therefore accelerated the debate over the proposed tariff authority.
For India, the issue is particularly important because Russian crude has become a significant part of the country's energy imports since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began. Indian refiners have purchased Russian crude at various times because of pricing and availability considerations. The proposed US legislation could therefore have implications for India's trade with the United States if the tariff authority is eventually used against Indian exports.
The proposed measure does not mean that Indian goods will immediately face a 100 percent US tariff. Several legislative steps remain before the provision could take effect. The House must pass the legislation, and the final text must be reconciled with the Senate version if the two chambers approve different provisions. The legislation would then require presidential action before becoming law.
The final House vote is expected shortly after the procedural vote. If the House approves the bill, the next stage would involve determining how the House legislation compares with the version already approved by the Senate. The specific language concerning countries such as India could therefore change during the remaining legislative process.
The issue has also attracted attention because of its potential implications for India-US trade relations. A tariff of up to 100 percent, if imposed, could affect Indian exports to the US. However, the actual impact would depend on whether the President exercises the authority, which products are covered and what exemptions or other provisions are ultimately included in the final legislation.
The proposed legislation also reflects wider US efforts to use economic measures to pressure Russia. By targeting countries that purchase Russian energy, the measure seeks to create additional economic pressure on Moscow indirectly through its trading partners. Supporters of the bill have argued that stronger sanctions could increase pressure on Russia, while opponents have raised concerns about the potential economic consequences of expanded presidential tariff authority.
The House action is therefore an important stage, but it is not yet the final decision on tariffs against India. The legislation remains subject to the final House vote and subsequent legislative and executive steps. India has been named in a House amendment, but the final provisions could still change before the bill becomes law.
For now, the key development is that the US House has advanced the Russia sanctions legislation after a 214 to 211 procedural vote. The measure could authorise tariffs of up to 100 percent on major purchasers of Russian energy, with India among the countries specifically named in a House amendment. The final House vote will determine whether the legislation moves to the next stage.