US lawmakers have moved new amendments to a Russia sanctions bill, with one proposal seeking to name countries including India that could face 100 per
cent tariffs over Russian oil purchases. Another amendment seeks to remove the section of the bill that would give US President Donald Trump the power to impose such tariffs. The Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act was passed by the US Senate last month with an 86-11 vote. The bill seeks sanctions against Russia's leadership and energy sector, as well as its "shadow fleet" of vessels used to help Moscow avoid sanctions on oil shipments. The US believes Russia's crude oil trade is helping fund its war against Ukraine. The bill also seeks to give Trump the power to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Russia's major oil-trading partners, including India and China. The Senate passed the bill on August 7. It does not name the countries that could face the tariffs but refers to the five biggest importers of Russian oil and gas by volume. The bill now needs to pass the US House of Representatives before it can be sent to the President for his signature. The House has four working days left before it goes into an early recess ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
India Named In Fresh Amendment
Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer has moved an amendment seeking to specifically name countries that could be eligible for 100 per cent tariffs under the bill.
The proposed list includes India, China, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Hungary, the Slovak Republic, the UAE, Singapore, Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic.
The amendment was made public by the House Rules Committee on Monday.
Another Amendment Seeks To Scrap Tariff Provision
Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks has separately moved an amendment seeking to remove the entire Section 113 of the bill.
The section would give Trump the authority to impose broad secondary tariffs on countries that trade with Russia.
Meeks has strongly opposed giving Trump additional powers to impose tariffs. His amendment has three co-sponsors.
Meeks has also proposed allowing the President to waive sanctions against a foreign person for 90 days if doing so is "vital to the national security of the US." The waiver could be renewed for additional 90-day periods.
In another amendment, Meeks has proposed authorising USD 15 billion in direct loans to Ukraine to help finance the purchase of defence equipment and services.
