The provision is part of the Lindsey O. Washington: India has been specifically named in a US House amendment that could make the country eligible for tariffs of up to 100 per cent over purchases of Russian oil and gas. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which is moving through the House of Representatives.
It would identify India as one of the countries eligible for such duties if the legislation becomes law and the US president uses the authority provided by it. The committee rejected a proposal from Congressman Gregory Meeks and other Democrats that sought to remove the section granting broad secondary tariff powers. The Hoyer amendment naming the countries was also not made in order for consideration. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act seeks to impose sanctions on Russian officials, its energy sector and vessels involved in helping Russia evade existing sanctions. The House process has also exposed disagreement over the extent of presidential tariff authority. Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has opposed the legislation in its existing form.
The amendment does not impose a 100 per cent tariff on New Delhi. The House Rules Committee’s official record lists the amendment as proposing that these countries be described as eligible for duties of up to 100 per cent for purchasing Russian-origin crude oil or natural gas or facilitating sanctions evasion. The House Rules Committee considered several amendments on Monday (September 14). The legislation also gives the US president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian energy.
In statements before the Rules Committee, he argued that the bill would give the president extensive new tariff powers.
The bill would still need to clear the House and then go through the rest of the legislative process before becoming law. The final treatment of the tariff provision will depend on the House action and the version of the legislation ultimately approved by the Congress. The legislation would give the US president the power to impose such tariffs on eligible countries, while the proposed House amendment specifically identifies India among the countries that could fall under that provision.
The House is expected to begin its recess on Thursday (September 17) and return after the November 3 midterm elections, according to reports. India would not automatically face a 100 per cent duty under the provision.
The latest House vote came with only a few working days available before the chamber’s scheduled recess.
