Senator Blumenthal expects sweeping Russia sanctions bill to clear House next month

Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, told reporters he expects the sweeping Russia sanctions bill he sponsors to pass the House of Representatives next month after a comfortable Senate vote. During a recent visit to Kyiv, Blumenthal met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and asked the Ukrainian leader to lobby House members, a request Zelenskiy readily accepted. The legislation would sanction top Russian officials and permit President Donald Trump to impose tariffs as high as 100% on the primary purchasers of Russian oil and gas, notably China and India, while carving out exemptions for European allies.

Although the majority of Democrats support the effort, some express concern that the tariff authority could be used for broader protectionist actions. Blumenthal highlighted strong Republican backing in the House and noted that the Senate vote took place on the day of the funeral of co-author Senator Lindsey Graham. Ukraine’s presidency has not yet responded.