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The legislation was named for the late South Carolina Republican. It gives the president authority to impose tariffs on top importers of oil and natural gas from Russia, such as China and India. (Image credit: Mariam Zuhaib)

The legislation was named for the late South Carolina Republican. It gives the president authority to impose tariffs on top importers of oil and natural gas from Russia, such as China and India.

(Image credit: Mariam Zuhaib)

The U.S Capitol is photographed Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Mariam Zuhaib/AP hide caption

Congress is sending a Russia sanctions bill to President Trump's desk after the package cleared the House on Wednesday. The legislation, which passed 262 to 159, split lawmakers in both parties.

The package is intended to put pressure on the Russian economy with the aim of forcing President Vladimir Putin to end his war in Ukraine. Thousands of civilians have been killed since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

The sanctions target Russian officials, companies and financial institutions helping fuel the war.

"This is a moral issue that requires moral courage," said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas. "I want us to be able to say that we did everything possible to end this war. That we understood the threat. That we had the courage to do what was right — to cripple the Russian war machine and turn the tide toward peace."

The legislation also gives the president authority to impose tariffs on top countries importing oil and natural gas from Russia, such as China and India. The tariff authority was a sticking point for many Democrats who opposed the measure, citing fears that Trump could gain a new avenue to levy tariffs on nations of his choosing.