Raja Krishnamoorthi Only Indian-American Lawmaker to Back Russia Sanctions Bill

Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has emerged as the only Indian-American member of the US House of Representatives to vote in favour of legislation seeking tougher sanctions against Russia, breaking with his fellow Democratic lawmakers on a measure that could have significant implications for India’s trade and Russian oil purchases.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning of Russia and Iran Act of 2026 passed the House by 262-159, with 58 Democrats joining Republicans in support. The measure targets Russia’s energy and defence sectors, financial networks and “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, while also containing provisions against Iran. It allows the US President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries meeting specified conditions linked to Russian oil and gas purchases or sanctions evasion.

The legislation does not automatically impose a 100% tariff on India, but creates a framework for such action. India is among the countries that could potentially face the duties, making the bill significant for New Delhi given its continuing dependence on Russian crude. The measure also allows tariffs of up to 500% on goods imported directly from Russia and retains exceptions covering certain Russian nuclear-material supplies, including low-enriched uranium.

Krishnamoorthi was the only Indian-American House member to support the bill. The other five - Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera, Shri Thanedar and Suhas Subramanyam - voted against it. All six Indian-American House members are Democrats. Overall, 203 Republicans supported the measure, while seven opposed it; among Democrats, 152 voted against it.

India’s exposure has grown sharply since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian crude accounted for only 2.5% of India’s imports in 2021, but purchases rose to around 740,000 barrels per day in 2022 and nearly 1.8 million barrels per day in 2023, making Russia India’s largest supplier and accounting for about 39% of crude imports that year. Russian oil has remained a major component of India’s energy basket.

Krishnamoorthi’s vote follows his public support for Ukraine. Before the vote, he met Illinois Ukraine Action, saying Ukraine’s people were fighting for their freedom and sovereignty and that the US must continue supporting them.

The vote comes as Krishnamoorthi prepares to leave Congress in January next year after an unsuccessful Democratic Senate primary bid in March. His decision highlights differing foreign-policy positions among Indian-American lawmakers and could add another layer to the evolving India-US trade and strategic relationship.