- By Ajeet Kumar
- Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:10 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- US House advanced bill for 100% tariff on India.
- Targets nations purchasing Russian oil and gas.
- India asserts energy sourcing based on national interest.
Washington: In a major worry for New Delhi, the US House of Representatives voted to advance a bill that would authorise US President Donald Trump to impose a massive 100 per cent tariff on India and other countries for buying oil and gas from Russia and extend existing sanctions on Iran.
The Lindsey O'Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 cleared a procedural hurdle in the House of Representatives on Tuesday evening after two Democratic lawmakers broke ranks with the party and voted in favour with the Republicans.
Bill approved by a 214-211 vote
The resolution to advance the Russia sanctions bill and a slew of other legislation was approved by a 214-211 vote, shocking the House Democratic leadership. The bill is expected to come up for a final vote in the House on Wednesday.
Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on Monday opposed the Russia sanctions bill, contending that it would grant President Trump unchecked authority to impose tariffs without any guardrails.
Sanctions on shadow fleet
Last month, the US Senate passed the bill with an overwhelming 86-11 majority. The bill seeks to impose sanctions not only on Russia's leadership and energy sector, but also on the "shadow fleet" of vessels that enable Moscow to evade sanctions on oil deliveries.
The vote on the bill is taking place at a time when pro-Ukraine groups have stepped up efforts to lobby support for their cause. The Ukraine Action Summit, organised by the American Coalition for Ukraine, is underway here to lobby with US lawmakers for continued support of Kyiv.
The US believes that Russia's crude oil trade is funding the war against Ukraine. The Bill also seeks to authorise President Donald Trump to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Russia's top oil trading partners, including China and India. The bill passed by the US Senate on August 7 does not name Russia's trading partners, but mentions the five largest importers of oil and gas by volume.
The bill has to be passed by the House of Representatives before it is sent to the President for signature. The House breaks into early recess on Thursday and is expected to reconvene on November 9 after the midterm elections.
What India said on 100 per cent tariff threat
When asked about the looming tariff threat, the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said it was aware of the bill tabled for vote in the US and added that New Delhi has been sourcing its energy according to the national interest. “I want to reiterate once again that, as far as energy sourcing by India is concerned, it is based on national interest...,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly presser in New Delhi.
(With inputs from agency)