2026-09-1611brief

[UPDATE] The House voted 214-211 to advance 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian oil

Two Democrats broke ranks to save the rule after two Republicans voted no.

Jared Golden (Rep-D Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Rep-D Washington) helped pass the rule, which would let Donald Trump tariff the five biggest buyers of Russian crude — plus five sanction-dodgers.

  • Aug. 30 — A Russian drone struck an ammunition depot near Kyiv, killing 38 people.
  • Sept. 5 — U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner launched peace talks in Moscow and Kyiv during a temporary strike pause.
  • Sept. 9 — Russia resumed strikes on Kyiv, killing seven people, after envoy talks concluded without an agreement.
  • Sept. 12 — House leaders scheduled a vote on Senate legislation authorizing tariffs on buyers of Russian oil.
  • Sept. 13 — Vladimir Putin warned that sending European troops into Ukraine would mean direct war with Russia.

Key details on the sanctions and tariff legislation:

  • The Senate backed the bill with 86 votes in August, but House Democratic leaders oppose its wide tariff powers.
  • The bill targets the five top buyers of Russian crude and gas, plus five nations that help dodge sanctions.
  • The plan would restore tariff powers that the Supreme Court struck down in February 2026.