A majority of senators back Russia oil bill

A bipartisan majority in the U.S. Senate now supports a bill that would grant President Donald Trump the authority to impose significant tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil. The "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026" has garnered backing from 62 senators, surpassing the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.

The legislation targets the five largest purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, identified as China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan. It also includes provisions for tariffs on nations actively assisting Russia in evading existing sanctions. The specific tariff rates would be determined by the U.S. Trade Representative, with potential for adjustments every 180 days based on purchasing behavior.

The bill, which has received White House endorsement, was introduced by Senator Darline Graham, who is completing the term of her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham. Senator Graham had been a chief architect of the legislation and had secured White House agreement on its text shortly before his death. He had been working on the bill with Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal and Jeanne Shaheen.

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The bill exempts countries whose Russian natural gas imports account for less than 15 percent of Russia’s total natural gas exports and that are taking significant steps to reduce those imports.

While the bill aims to pressure Russia's energy market, it includes exemptions for European allies importing Russian natural gas if their imports are below 15% of Russia's total exports and they are actively working to reduce them. American purchases of Russian low-enriched uranium for nuclear reactors are also exempt.

India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that New Delhi is "closely monitoring" the developments, responding to a question about the U.S. bill. The legislative push has gained momentum following Senator Graham's death, with supporters aiming for passage before August.

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The bill calls for USTR to reassess the top 5 purchasers every 180 days and can adjust tariff rates based on changes in purchasing behavior.