A bipartisan sanctions bill aimed at targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine is facing opposition from a group of Democrats who argue it grants President Trump unacceptable tariff authorities.

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, described the Sanctioning Russia Act 2026, released on Tuesday, July 15th, 2026, as a “Trojan horse for tariff authorities.”

The bill’s inclusion of expanded tariff powers has complicated the push for sanctions, raising concerns among Democrats about the potential misuse of these authorities.

Sources