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Turner: House Passage of Russia Sanctions Increases Pressure on Putin

September 16, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Mike Turner has made it his longstanding mission to impose meaningful economic pressure on Vladimir Putin and force an end to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Today, that effort reached a major milestone as the U.S. House passed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation Turner worked to advance as an original cosponsor. The legislation passed the house 262 to 159, and now moves to the President's desk to be signed into law.

 

"Today, Congress sent Vladimir Putin a clear message; he cannot outlast Ukraine and the free world. This legislation gives President Trump another powerful tool to target the revenue fueling Russia's war machine, punish those helping Moscow evade sanctions, and increase the pressure on Putin to come to the negotiating table. It also extends critical sanctions against Iran, whose regime has provided significant support for Russia's war against Ukraine," Congressman Turner said.


"Lindsey Graham spent his final months building bipartisan support for this legislation because he understood that the path to peace requires raising the cost of continued aggression for Putin and those financing his war against Ukraine," Turner continues.

 

"Passing this legislation honors Lindsey's legacy and strengthens America's hand in the pursuit of a durable peace. I was proud to work for this legislation as an original cosponsor, and I am pleased to see Congress carry his work forward."

 

The legislation imposes sanctions targeting Russian officials, financial institutions, oligarchs, energy interests, and vessels used to evade international sanctions. It also authorizes additional tariffs against major purchasers of Russian oil and gas and countries facilitating sanctions evasion, while providing exceptions and waiver authorities established in the legislation.

 

The bill also strengthens sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector and extends the Iran Sanctions Act, which restricts investment and other activity supporting Iran's energy sector and its ability to finance malign activities. The broader package is intended to reduce revenues available to Moscow and Tehran and increase the economic consequences for governments and entities supporting Russia's war against Ukraine.

 

The Senate passed the legislation by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 86–11 on August 7. Turner joined Congressman Michael McCaul, Congressman Steny Hoyer, and a bipartisan group of House members as an original cosponsor of the House legislation.