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PoliticsQuiet 6d · day 13

Congress sends Russia-Iran sanctions bill to Trump; he weighs deals instead

The House passed the Graham-Blumenthal sanctions bill 262-159, but reporting suggests Trump may dangle business incentives to Putin rather than enforce it.

newest coverage 6d agosummary written 6d ago300 pieces5.0k likes & upvotes844 comments Google NewsBlueskyMastodonYouTubeNewswiresRedditX

Part of a larger narrative

Russia Sanctions Legislative Push

3 stories · since Sep 9 · newest 2d ago — Congress grapples with timing and Republican priorities as lawmakers attempt to advance new sanctions legislation against Russia amid competing midterm…

  1. Trump signs sweeping Russia-Iran sanctions law named for Lindsey Graham
  2. Congress sends Russia-Iran sanctions bill to Trump; he weighs deals insteadyou are here
  3. House to vote on Russia sanctions bill next week

What to know

  • The House passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act 262-159 on Sept. 16, sending it to Trump for signature.
  • The law would let Trump impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries, potentially including China and India, that buy significant volumes of Russian oil and gas.
  • Critics, including some Democrats and commentators, note the bill grants Trump broad discretionary tariff power without mandating he actually use it against Russia.
  • New NYT reporting suggests Trump may pursue business incentives for Russia rather than deploy the sanctions leverage Congress just handed him.

The dispute Whether Trump will actually use the new tariff authority against Russia's oil buyers, or whether the bill's lack of a mandate lets him avoid meaningful enforcement. · positions read across 71 posts and comments

many voices

The bill hands Trump wide discretionary power but does not require him to actually sanction Russia, so it may go unused.

  • “Congress just handed Trump the power to sanction Russia. It did not require him to use it. Democrats warned the bill "fails to mandate sanctions on Russia."”

    lilmsmisanthrope.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
some voices

Whether Trump actually signs and enforces the bill is a test of his true posture toward Putin.

  • “If Trump doesn’t sign this bill, it will tell you everything you need to know about him being Putin’s puppet. The bill passed in the Senate too.”

    sebastiangarof5.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
some voices

The practical effectiveness of secondary tariffs against Russian oil buyers like India and China is disputed among commenters.

  • “Last I checked India supplied about 60 per cent of the diesel to Europe. Doesn't look like Europe is trying hard or trying at all to stop buying Russian oil from India.”

    Mamuli_Aadmi · Reddit ↗

Donald TrumpDonald Trump U.S. PresidentVladimir PutinVladimir Putin President of RussiaVolodymyr Zelensky President of UkraineRichard BlumenthalRichard Blumenthal Democratic senator, bill co-authorLindsey GrahamLindsey Graham Late senator, bill's namesakeMike JohnsonMike Johnson House Speaker

Congress sends Russia-Iran sanctions bill to Trump; he weighs deals instead
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How it unfolded 7 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesvideospostscomments

Peak 90 pieces in 3h at Sep 16, 6 PM; 300 pieces over 13 days (159 articles · 5 videos · 122 posts · 14 comments) Sep 11, 12 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Sep 11, 3 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Sep 11, 6 PM — quietSep 11, 9 PM — quietSep 12, 12 AM — quietSep 12, 3 AM — quietSep 12, 6 AM — quietSep 12, 9 AM — quietSep 12, 12 PM — quietSep 12, 3 PM — quietSep 12, 6 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Bluesky 1Sep 12, 9 PM — quietSep 13, 12 AM — quietSep 13, 3 AM — quietSep 13, 6 AM — quietSep 13, 9 AM — quietSep 13, 12 PM — quietSep 13, 3 PM — quietSep 13, 6 PM — quietSep 13, 9 PM — quietSep 14, 12 AM — quietSep 14, 3 AM — quietSep 14, 6 AM — quietSep 14, 9 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Bluesky 1Sep 14, 12 PM — quietSep 14, 3 PM — quietSep 14, 6 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Sep 14, 9 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Bluesky 1Sep 15, 12 AM — quietSep 15, 3 AM — quietSep 15, 6 AM — quietSep 15, 9 AM — quietSep 15, 12 PM — quietSep 15, 3 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Sep 15, 6 PM — 5 pieces · 2 articles · 1 video · 2 posts — Mastodon 2, Google News 1, Newswires 1, +1 moreSep 15, 9 PM — quietSep 16, 12 AM — quietSep 16, 3 AM — 3 pieces · 3 articles — Newswires 3Sep 16, 6 AM — quietSep 16, 9 AM — 33 pieces · 28 articles · 5 posts — Newswires 28, Bluesky 4, Mastodon 1Sep 16, 12 PM — 5 pieces · 4 articles · 1 post — Newswires 4, Reddit 1Sep 16, 3 PM — 3 pieces · 1 article · 1 video · 1 post — Newswires 1, Bluesky 1, YouTube 1Sep 16, 6 PM — 90 pieces · 44 articles · 1 video · 44 posts · 1 comment — Newswires 42, Mastodon 21, Bluesky 18, +3 moreSep 16, 9 PM — 27 pieces · 11 articles · 16 posts — Mastodon 10, Google News 7, Bluesky 4, +2 moreSep 17, 12 AM — 30 pieces · 20 articles · 1 video · 9 posts — Newswires 13, Google News 7, Mastodon 5, +3 moreSep 17, 3 AM — 32 pieces · 11 articles · 16 posts · 5 comments — Mastodon 10, Newswires 7, Reddit 7, +3 moreSep 17, 6 AM — 20 pieces · 12 articles · 6 posts · 2 comments — Newswires 9, Mastodon 4, Google News 3, +2 moreSep 17, 9 AM — 10 pieces · 4 articles · 4 posts · 2 comments — Reddit 3, Google News 2, Bluesky 2, +2 moreSep 17, 12 PM — 11 pieces · 10 articles · 1 post — Newswires 5, Google News 5, Bluesky 1Sep 17, 3 PM — 2 pieces · 1 article · 1 post — Mastodon 1, Newswires 1Sep 17, 6 PM — 10 pieces · 3 articles · 1 video · 6 posts — Mastodon 7, Newswires 2, YouTube 1Sep 17, 9 PM — 2 pieces · 1 post · 1 comment — Reddit 1, Bluesky 1Sep 18, 12 AM — 2 pieces · 1 post · 1 comment — Mastodon 1, Reddit 1Sep 18, 3 AM — 5 pieces · 3 posts · 2 comments — Reddit 3, Bluesky 1, Mastodon 1Sep 18, 6 AM — quietSep 18, 9 AM — 3 pieces · 1 article · 2 posts — Mastodon 2, Newswires 1Sep 18, 12 PM — quietSep 18, 3 PM — quietSep 18, 6 PM — quietSep 18, 9 PM — quietSep 19, 12 AM — quietSep 19, 3 AM — quietSep 19, 6 AM — quietSep 19, 9 AM — quietSep 19, 12 PM — quietSep 19, 3 PM — quietSep 19, 6 PM — quietSep 19, 9 PM — quietSep 20, 12 AM — quietSep 20, 3 AM — quietSep 20, 6 AM — quietSep 20, 9 AM — quietSep 20, 12 PM — quietSep 20, 3 PM — quietSep 20, 6 PM — quietSep 20, 9 PM — quietSep 21, 12 AM — quietSep 21, 3 AM — quietSep 21, 6 AM — quietSep 21, 9 AM — quietSep 21, 12 PM — quietSep 21, 3 PM — quietSep 21, 6 PM — quietSep 21, 9 PM — quietSep 22, 12 AM — quietSep 22, 3 AM — quietSep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 9 AM — quietSep 22, 12 PM — quietSep 22, 3 PM — quietSep 22, 6 PM — quietSep 22, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 3 AM — quietToday, 6 AM — quietToday, 9 AM — quietToday, 12 PM — quietToday, 3 PM — quiet 1234–67
Sep 12Sep 13Sep 14Sep 15Sep 16Sep 17Sep 18Sep 19Sep 20Sep 21Sep 22now · 4:03 PM ET
  1. 7

    NYT reports Trump may offer Russia business deals before using new leverage

    Anton Troianovski reports that despite the new sanctions bill meant to pressure Putin, Trump is instead doubling down on offering Russia economic enticements, raising questions about whether he will actually deploy the tariff authority Congress just gave him.

    “A new sanctions bill is meant to pressure President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to end the war in Ukraine. But President Trump is doubling down on a different approach: offering enticements to Russia.”
    — Anton Troianovski / NYT
    1. 7 outlets A sweeping US sanctions bill offers Ukraine new leverage on Russia, but enforcement looms

      first by Chicago Tribune, 6d ago · also Philadelphia Inquirer, Toronto Star, AP News, 10TV, Yahoo, Yahoo! Finance Canada

    2. 2 outlets first by New York Times, 6d ago · also NYT · read ↗

    3 more claims →
    • thestudyofwar.bsky.social

      8/ The US House of Representatives passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on September 16, which authorizes the US to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest importers of Russian oil and natural gas.

      thestudyofwar.bsky.socialBluesky6d ago82▲view on Bluesky ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 13 posts in this stretch
    • thetnholler.bsky.social@bsky.brid.gy

      NYT: “The White House is now considering signing business deals with Russia before it stops fighting in Ukraine…” 🤔 Trump’s unbroken streak of giving Putin whatever he wants continues. Must be a coincidence!

      thetnholler.bsky.social@bsky.brid.gyMastodon6d ago11▲view on Mastodon ↗

    • I would simply respond by saying look at what they're doing, they are distancing themselves from trading with India while India sells those products into the open market. They're doing exactly as you suggest, you just don't like it. Last I checked India supplied about 60 per cent of the diesel to Europe. Doesn't look like Europe is trying hard or…

      Mamuli_Aadmir/geopolitics6d agoview on r/geopolitics ↗
    all of them →
  2. 6

    White House signals Trump will sign the bill soon

    A White House official told the Wall Street Journal that Trump plans to sign the sanctions and tariff legislation targeting Russia and Iran.

    “Congress just handed Trump the power to sanction Russia. It did not require him to use it... Discretion, in this administration, means Putin walks free.”
    — lilmsmisanthrope.bsky.social, Bluesky poster · source
    1. 27 outlets Robust House majority backs sanctions on Russia and Iran

      first by Roll Call, 8d ago · also Philadelphia Inquirer, Axios, NBC News, CBS News, Hindustan Times, Times of India +20

      24 more headlines
    • wartranslated.bsky.social

      The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill imposing tough sanctions against Russia and Iran. The initiative was authored by Senator Lindsey Graham. The document now awaits Donald Trump's signature.

      wartranslated.bsky.socialBluesky7d ago182▲view on Bluesky ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 5 posts in this stretch

    • Not a single factual solution from an expert on geopolitics. Get from somewhere else..like where? Name the place and cost. I'm sure such a great nation as India will manage that which everyone else does. India is a poor country India is of course free to trade or not trade with whatever conditions they would like. No one is forcing India to do…

      Mamuli_Aadmir/geopolitics7d agoview on r/geopolitics ↗
    • ukrdef@mstdn.social

      KYIV POST: EXPLAINED: ‘Nuclear’ US Sanctions Bill vs. Russia – Five Things to Know https://www. kyivpost.com/post/84750 The bill would impose sweeping sanctions on Russia and foreign enablers including 100 percent tariffs on major energy buyers. Trump could sign, veto, or potentially pocket-veto the bill. If it becomes law Trump’s job will be to…

      ukrdef@mstdn.socialMastodon7d agoview on Mastodon ↗
    all of them →
  3. 5

    Kremlin calls the sanctions an 'unfriendly move'

    Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said additional U.S. sanctions would complicate efforts to reach a peaceful settlement in Ukraine.

    1. 8 outlets Watch: India says energy security is top priority after U.S. House passes Russia sanctions Bill

      first by The Hindu, 7d ago · also France 24 EN, Deutsche Welle EN, Philadelphia Inquirer, HuffPost, Scripps News, NBC News +1

      5 more headlines
    2. 2 outlets ‘Sanctions from hell’ from US will complicate peace talks, Kremlin says

      first by Meduza EN, 7d ago · also Anadolu Agency

      1 more headline

    • 🚨🔥😂After the House of Representatives passed the bill imposing sanctions on Russia, Senator Blumenthal issued threats to Putin, Xi Jinping, and Modi. "Vladimir Putin, we’ve got your number. Your economy is in serious trouble. We are going to strangle your war machine. To

      @ivan_8848X7d ago604▲view on X ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 10 posts in this stretch
    • noelreports.com

      ❗️Trump plans to sign a sanctions bill targeting Russia and Iran, a White House official told the WSJ. The legislation allows tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas, penalizes Russian individuals and entities, and extends sanctions on Iran through 2031. #Russia

      noelreports.comBluesky7d ago182▲view on Bluesky ↗

    • stable I won't address the reminder of your answer, because I understand that it could be debatable. Let's agree to differ on that part. But NKorea stable it is not. Authoritarian regimes exchange periodical instability of elections for a risk of total chaos every time the leader needs to change. In case of Russia, for example, it took 10 years…

      oritfxr/geopolitics7d agoview on r/geopolitics ↗
    all of them →
  4. 4

    Zelensky and Ukraine's foreign minister praise the House vote

    Zelensky called the timing symbolic, noting it came amid another Russian missile and drone attack, while Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the vote sends Moscow a clear message.

    “The U.S. Congress is sending a clear message — Russia cannot continue its aggression without consequences, and the longer Putin continues this war, the higher the cost will be for him and his regime…”
    — Andrii Sybiha
    1. 15 outlets Centre stands firm on India’s energy security needs after US passes Russia Sanctions Bill

      first by Indian Express, 7d ago · also The Hindu, Times of Israel, RFE/RL, NewsNation, The Hill, The Washington Post +8

      15 more headlines
    • united24media.com

      ⚡️ BREAKING: The US House passed major bipartisan Russia sanctions legislation named after late Senator Lindsey Graham, clearing the bill for President Trump's signature to target Russia's energy trade and shadow fleet.

      united24media.comBluesky7d ago159▲view on Bluesky ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 14 posts in this stretch
    • GeoWire@mastodon.social

      🟠 UPDATE India Warns US Tariffs on Russian Oil Could Damage Bilateral Ties India defended its right to buy oil from diverse sources following a new US sanctions bill, distinct from the previous focus on tariffs. Additionally, the Foreign Ministry denied claims that leaders fell... 📰 https://www. dw.com/en/india-news-new-delhi…

      GeoWire@mastodon.socialMastodon7d ago1▲view on Mastodon ↗

    • I would like to use this opportunity to illustrate how sanctions work, and why Putin hates them. NKorea has started in a much better position than SKorea had. Fast forward to now and compare both countries again. This is what sanctions do. They shave off a bit of GDP. Over time, it compounds to differences that cannot be denied. Now, when you look…

      oritfxr/geopolitics7d agoview on r/geopolitics ↗
    all of them →
  5. 3

    House passes the bill 262-159, sending it to Trump

    203 Republicans, 56 Democrats and one independent voted for the measure, which authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas and extends Iran sanctions through 2031.

    “I have always been in favor of the Russia sanctions bill. But we had to build a consensus around it, and I think we have it.”
    — Speaker Mike Johnson

    1. 11 outlets first by Joe.My.God., 8d ago · also Townhall, Jewish Insider, The Kyiv Independent, CNBC, Reuters, Times of India +4 · read ↗

    2. 10 outlets first by NYT Politics, 7d ago · also Guardian, SCMP, SCMP China, FT, Le Monde EN, The Canberra Times +3 · read ↗

    4 more claims →
    • joncooper-us.bsky.social

      The House voted Wednesday to pass a major bill aimed at imposing sanctions on Russia and Iran, sending it to Trump for his signature. The vote was 262-159.

      joncooper-us.bsky.socialBluesky7d ago549▲view on Bluesky ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 23 posts in this stretch
    • EugeneMcParland@mastodon.ie

      The U.S. House of Representatives approved sweeping legislation that would impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that buy russian oil and gas, in a final vote on Sept. 16. The bipartisan bill, championed by the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, gives U.S. President Donald # Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five…

      EugeneMcParland@mastodon.ieMastodon7d ago1▲view on Mastodon ↗

    • I miss the days when members of Congress had big egos and wouldn't voluntarily neuter themselves.

      Mr_Tort_Feasorr/politics7d agoview on r/politics ↗
    all of them →
  6. 2

    House opens floor debate on the sanctions package

    Republicans presenting the bill said the sanctions were designed to increase economic pressure on Moscow and force Putin to the negotiating table.

    • noelreports.com

      The US House has begun debate on the Graham Russia sanctions bill, clearing another step toward a final vote. Republicans presenting the legislation said the proposed sanctions are designed to increase economic pressure on Moscow and force Putin to the negotiating table. #Russia

      noelreports.comBluesky8d ago227▲view on Bluesky ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 4 posts in this stretch
    • byteseu@pubeurope.com

      US House Advances Major Russia Sanctions Bill Targetting Oil Fleet and Child Abductions https://www. byteseu.com/2371293/ # Ukraine # UkrainianConflict # UkrainianConflict

      byteseu@pubeurope.comMastodon8d agoview on Mastodon ↗
    • maks23.bsky.social

      🇺🇸 The House of Representatives has begun debates on Graham's bill on the so-called "hell sanctions" against Russia. During the presentation of the bill, Republicans called this bill one that would force Putin to sit at the negotiating table.

      maks23.bsky.socialBluesky8d ago171▲view on Bluesky ↗
    all of them →
  7. 1

    House advances the bill in a narrow procedural vote

    The House cleared a first procedural hurdle 214-211 after Democrats Jared Golden and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez crossed the aisle to support it.

    • crampell.bsky.social

      this is the bill that would give Trump authority to tariff basically any country he wants. it passed the senate with bipartisan support. ostensibly a Russia sanctions bill, but the sanctions provisions have no teeth and the new tariff authorities are enormous.

      crampell.bsky.socialBluesky10d ago376▲view on Bluesky ↗
    1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
    • insideukraine.bsky.social

      ⚡️Zelensky calls for stronger US sanctions against Russia, says Ukraine must engage in peace talks with Moscow.

      insideukraine.bsky.socialBluesky11d ago8▲view on Bluesky ↗
    all of them →
  8. background

    Senate passes the Graham-Blumenthal Russia sanctions bill 86-11 — The Senate approved the bill named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham with broad bipartisan support after efforts by Sens. Ron Wyden and Rand Paul to strip its tariff powers failed. The bill then moved to the House.

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 3 outlets Russia says new US sanctions, if signed by Trump, would make Ukraine peace deal harder

    first by Reuters, 7d ago · also Daily Maverick, Straits Times

  2. 2 outlets India warns new US tariffs over Russian oil could impact ties

    first by Reuters, 7d ago · also Al Jazeera

  3. 2 outlets ‘U.S. pressure mounts, Modi govt keeps surrendering’: Mallikarjun Kharge on Russia sanctions bill

    first by The Hindu, 8d ago · also The Hindu National

  4. 2 outlets US House to vote on Russia sanctions backed by late Senator Graham

    first by The Economic Times, 12d ago · also Reuters

and 11 smaller pieces

What people are saying 10 voices from 3 sites · best of 71 · verbatim

Still unanswered
  • Will Trump actually impose the tariffs on countries like India and China that buy Russian oil and gas?
  • Will Trump pursue business deals with Russia instead of using the sanctions leverage Congress just passed?