Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after the House voted to pass H.R. 5334, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026:
“At a time when the cost of everything from gas to groceries, health care to housing, technology to toilet paper and more keeps going up, the Trump Administration keeps doubling down on the cost-of-living crisis through needless tariffs on allies and adversaries alike with no discretion. Though I support implementing sanctions against Russia, I cannot support a sanctions bill that grants the Trump Administration greater tariff authority to prolong and intensify ongoing economic uncertainty.
“Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine demands a serious response, and I stand firmly on the side of the Ukrainian people and their struggle against Putin’s invasion of their country. The U.S. must continue its role of providing support for Ukraine while holding Russia accountable. Unfortunately, rather than solely working to strengthen and enact tougher sanctions on Russia and deliver military aid to Ukraine, this bill also contains the largest transfer of tariff authority ever granted to a president by Congress, allowing the Trump Administration to launch 100% tariffs on any country it chooses without Congressional guardrails. And Trump, just off the heels of starting an unnecessary trade war with Canada, has given every indication that he would exploit this power to entrench the American people in more trade wars, which would only further drive up costs.
“In a government that hinges on checks and balances, we cannot further cede Congress’s constitutional authority to levy tariffs and allow the executive to operate with total tariff power. To address Russia’s war in Ukraine, we need substantive action that both sanctions Russia and its allies for their aggression and equips Ukraine with the tools necessary to defend itself and push back against Putin’s war machine. This is not that legislation. For that reason, I voted no.”