Russia sanctions bill ‘dead again’ as it hits House roadblocks

The Senate-passed Russia sanctions bill honoring the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has quickly run into roadblocks in the House, facing opposition from Democrats and little urgency from GOP leaders. 

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) hasn’t signaled any intention to bring the bill to the floor in the lower chamber’s first few days back from recess, while senior House Democrats have raised concern over the bill granting President Trump tariff authorities that have been curtailed by the Supreme Court. Other aspects of the bill, such as codifying existing Russia sanctions and expanding the blacklists, have drawn opposition from libertarian members like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.).

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) told The Hill he was briefed on a plan to bring the bill to the floor the week of Sept. 14, when Congress returns from a weeklong break following Labor Day. He said that break allows time to convince hesitant members to support the bill. 

“The Senate passed this 86-11, so it’s hard to believe there’s pushback. This is Congress’s opportunity to take a stand, and it would be wrong to make perfection the enemy of good,” he said. Bacon added that while some of his GOP colleagues are “weak on Russia,” he largely blamed Democratic opposition for stalling the bill. 

Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), chair of the House Democratic Caucus, acknowledged Democratic concerns but noted that Republicans have their own reservations.

“We don’t control the floor, and this isn’t on the floor because Republicans are fighting amongst themselves. So I think that’s the most important point here. We do have concerns, but it doesn’t appear that this is ready to go because Republicans have concerns........

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