New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday took a shot at the Narendra Modi government after the US House of Representatives passed legislation that would empower President Donald Trump to levy heavy tariffs on nations trading in Russian oil and gas, stating that appeasement has never paid and will never pay.
The Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, cleared by the US Senate last month, was ratified by the House in a 262–159 division on Wednesday and will now be forwarded to Trump for his signature.
The measure aims to hit not just Russia’s top leadership and energy industry with sanctions, but also the “shadow fleet” of ships that help Moscow bypass curbs on its oil exports.
It further seeks to give Trump the power to impose tough tariffs on China, India and other countries to cut back their reliance on Russian oil and gas, along with fresh sanctions on Iran, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Responding to the bill’s passage, Congress general secretary (communications), Jairam Ramesh, posted on X, “Appeasement has never paid and will never pay.”
Alongside 203 Republicans, 58 Democrats and one Independent backed the legislation. Seven Republicans and 152 Democrats voted against it.
Most Democratic resistance focused on the sweeping tariff powers being handed to Trump.
The law carries the name of Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican who passed away in July after working for over a year to rally support for it.
“China and India, you better buy your oil and gas somewhere else,” Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal told journalists following the vote.
