Congress to Vote on Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia Act

<p>The Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia Act is scheduled for a vote in the House this week. The bill aims to strengthen sanctions against Russia, which are currently enforced by executive order, allowing the president to remove them at will. If passed, the legislation would require congressional approval for any changes to these sanctions, thereby limiting the president's discretion.</p><p>The bill specifically targets certain Russian officials and companies and has received support from President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and over 30 national-security and foreign-policy experts. However, critics argue that the bill does not impose significant new sanctions and allows the president to waive its provisions by claiming national interest.</p><p>One of the key aspects of the legislation is its potential to grant the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the largest importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, including countries such as China, India, France, Japan, Hungary, and Slovakia. It also includes provisions for tariffs on countries facilitating Russia's evasion of oil sanctions, which are subject to presidential discretion.</p><p>Peter Harrell, a trade lawyer and former Biden administration official, noted that the bill provides Trump with more flexibility on tariffs than traditional laws, lacking guardrails or restrictions. He expressed concern that Trump might interpret the law broadly, potentially imposing tariffs on the European Union as a whole.</p><p>Historically, Trump has utilized pretexts for imposing tariffs, as seen with a previous 25 percent tariff on India, which was ostensibly linked to Russian oil imports but may have stemmed from other political motivations. While the bill could lead to litigation if Trump exceeds its intended scope, the lengthy legal process may allow him to implement tariffs aggressively during his term.</p><p>Trump's approach to sanctions has been influenced by oil prices, as he previously waived sanctions on Russian oil to prevent price increases. With high oil prices and upcoming midterm elections, he may prioritize economic considerations over enforcing stricter sanctions against Russia.</p><p>Supporters of the bill argue that it increases political pressure on Trump to adopt a tougher stance on Russia, although the effectiveness of this pressure remains uncertain. The bill is also seen as a symbol of congressional support for Ukraine, which is in need of material assistance, including weapons and economic aid, to survive the winter.</p><p>Democrats attempted to introduce amendments to the bill that would exempt the EU from being treated as a single entity, tighten the national-security waiver, and limit broad tariff allowances. However, these amendments were not successful, leading critics to view the bill as a potential means for Trump to restart trade conflicts with U.S. allies.</p>