Tariffs and trade

Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026

This bill imposes a variety of sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions related to Russia, extends an Iran-related sanctions law, and expands a tax deduction for teacher expenses to include early childhood educators.

For example, under the bill, the President must impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on specified persons (individuals and entities) such as the Russian president and certain Russian military commanders. The President must also increase the rate of duty up to 100% ad valorem (i.e., relative to the value) on all goods imported into the United States from a country that was among the five largest importers of Russian-origin crude oil or natural gas if such country knowingly makes new purchases of such products after enactment of the bill.

The bill prohibits (1) the export, reexport, or in-country transfer to or in Russia of any U.S.-produced energy or energy product; (2) U.S. persons from making new investments in Russia or purchasing Russian sovereign debt; and (3) trading the securities of Russian government-owned, -controlled, or -affiliated entities on U.S. national securities exchanges.

The bill extends through 2031 the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, which requires the President, with some exceptions, to impose sanctions on certain persons engaged in specified transactions related to Iran's energy sector or Iran's efforts to acquire or develop certain weapons.

The bill expands eligibility for federal tax deductions of certain educator expenses to early childhood educators providing educational or childcare services to those under age 6.

Maintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Act

This act requires the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to annually report to Congress on export control licensing.

Under current law, BIS administers and enforces controls on the export of dual-use goods (e.g., items with both civilian and military uses) and certain military parts and components. These export controls are implemented primarily under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) through the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

Under this act, BIS must annually report to Congress on license applications, other requests for authorization, and end-use checks (on-site verifications conducted by BIS) for the export, reexport, release, and in-country transfer of items subject to the EAR to covered entities. A covered entity is any entity that (1) is located in a country listed in Country Group D:5 (countries that are identified by the Department of State as subject to U.S. arms embargoes), and (2) is included on the Entity List or the Military End-User List (two of the lists published by BIS containing information on the individuals, organizations, and addresses subject to restrictions involving items subject to the EAR).

The act requires this report to include specified information, such as the name of the entity submitting the application, where the item is being exported, the decision with respect to the license application or authorization, and information on any end-use checks to ensure compliance with U.S. export controls. The information shall be exempt from public disclosure (except for aggregate statistics). Additionally, BIS must exclude from the report any information that could jeopardize an ongoing investigation.

Ukraine Support Act

This bill addresses the war between Russia and Ukraine by (1) providing assistance to Ukraine and certain European countries, and (2) establishing penalties for Russia and certain foreign persons (individuals and entities).

Assistance provided under the bill includes

• establishing a reconstruction trust fund for Ukraine,

• requiring the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to prioritize support for Ukraine,

• reviving the President’s authority to lend or lease defense articles to Ukraine or Eastern European countries affected by the war through FY2028,

• extending through 2027 the Department of Defense’s authority to provide security assistance and intelligence support to Ukrainian forces, and

• requiring the Department of State to take certain actions to build the capacity of the militaries and border forces of Baltic countries.

Additionally, the President must periodically determine if the Russian government or any proxy is waging a war of aggression against Ukraine, refusing to sincerely negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine, or acting in violation of a negotiated peace agreement with Ukraine. If the President makes such a determination, the President must impose certain penalties including

• property- and visa-blocking sanctions on certain Russian officials;

• property-blocking sanctions on Russian companies in the oil and mining sectors, Rosatom (Russia's state-owned nuclear enterprise) and its subsidiaries, and certain Russian financial institutions; and

• increasing the rate of duty on all goods and services imported from Russia into the United States to at least 500% relative to the value of such goods and services.

Remote Access Security Act

This bill broadens the scope of the U.S. export control system to include remote access of items. Remote access means (1) access to an item subject to the jurisdiction of the United States by a foreign person through a network connection, including the internet or a cloud computing service, from a location other than where the item is physically located; or (2) any other form of access specified in regulations promulgated by the Department of Commerce.

The Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA), which is implemented through the Export Administration Regulations, provides a permanent statutory basis for controlling the export of dual-use goods (e.g., items with both civilian and military uses) and certain military parts and components. This bill applies export controls under ECRA to remote access of items, thereby allowing Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security to issue licenses and impose penalties related to remote access of controlled items.

Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act

This bill extends through December 31, 2028, the special duty-free rules for various apparel products imported from Haiti, including the duty-free treatment provided for a limited amount (referred to as tariff preference levels) of certain apparel products assembled in and imported from Haiti.

The bill directs the President to proclaim such modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) that may be necessary to restore preferential treatment to articles that became ineligible for such treatment due to prior revisions to the HTS.

The bill also provides for the refund of duties (i.e., liquidation or reliquidation of entries) on covered articles from Haiti that entered into the United States on or after September 30, 2025, and before the date of this bill's enactment. A request for liquidation or reliquidation must be filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the request must contain sufficient information for CBP to locate the entry or, if the entry cannot be located, reconstruct the entry. CBP must refund any duties previously paid with respect to the entry within 90 days.

Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025

This bill repeals certain restrictions on the import and export of natural gas under the Natural Gas Act, including requirements for Department of Energy (DOE) approval and related provisions that address free trade agreements.

In addition, the bill grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the exclusive authority to approve or deny applications to authorize the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of facilities (e.g., liquefied natural gas terminals) to export natural gas to foreign countries or import natural gas from foreign countries. (Currently, DOE authorizes the export or import of natural gas, and FERC authorizes related facilities.)

In determining whether to approve or deny an application, FERC must deem the exportation or importation of natural gas to be consistent with the public interest.

This joint resolution terminates the national emergency declared by President Donald J. Trump on April 2, 2025, which imposed a 10% tariff on most imports to the United States and additional duties on specified trading partners.

This joint resolution terminates the national emergency declared by President Donald J. Trump on February 1, 2025, which imposed an additional 25% tariff on most imports from Canada (except for Canadian energy or energy resources, which have an additional 10% tariff).

This joint resolution terminates the national emergency that was declared by President Donald J. Trump in an executive order on July 30, 2025, that also imposed an additional 40% tariff on certain imports from Brazil based on the emergency declaration. (The executive order exempted certain products, such as civil aircraft and parts, wood pulp, precious metals, energy and energy products, and fertilizers, from this additional tariff.)

Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act

This bill establishes a new process for approving or revoking permits for the construction and operation of energy infrastructure across an international border of the United States. Thus, it replaces the existing process established under specified executive orders.

The bill requires a person to obtain a certificate of crossing before constructing, connecting, operating, or maintaining a border-crossing facility for the import or export of oil or natural gas, or the transmission of electricity, across a U.S. border with Canada or Mexico. A certificate must be obtained from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a facility consisting of oil or natural gas pipelines or the Department of Energy (DOE) for an electric transmission facility. As a condition of issuing a certificate, DOE must require that an electric transmission facility be constructed, connected, operated, or maintained consistent with specified policies and standards.

FERC and DOE must meet a deadline for issuing a certificate as set forth by this bill. The bill also requires FERC to meet a deadline for approving applications to import or export natural gas to or from Canada or Mexico.

The bill also requires the President to obtain the approval of Congress before revoking a permit issued under executive orders for constructing, connecting, operating, or maintaining an oil or natural gas pipeline, an electric transmission facility, or a related border-crossing facility.

FMS-Only List Review Act

This bill requires the Department of State to conduct an annual review to identify defense articles and services eligible to be sold only through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) (i.e., U.S. government to foreign government sales) that should also be eligible to be sold through Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) (i.e., U.S. company to foreign government sales).

For each article or service identified, the review must address (1) the length of time to complete a transfer of the article or service through the FMS program as compared to the DCS process; (2) the impact of a transfer of the article or service through the DCS process on the workload of the State Department and the Department of Defense; and (3) the benefits of the transfer of the article or service through the DCS process to U.S. national security and competitiveness.

Within 30 days of the completion of each annual review, the State Department must report to Congress on the results of the review.

This joint resolution terminates the national emergency declared by President Donald J. Trump on April 2, 2025, which imposed a 10% tariff on most imports to the United States and additional duties on specified trading partners.

This joint resolution terminates the national emergency declared by President Donald J. Trump on February 1, 2025, which imposed an additional 25% tariff on most imports from Canada (except for Canadian energy or energy resources, which have an additional 10% tariff).

Block the Use of Transatlantic Technology in Iranian Made Drones Act

This bill requires the Departments of Commerce, State, and Defense to develop plans to prevent Iran from acquiring certain technologies related to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as drones.

Specifically, the bill requires Commerce to develop a strategy to prevent the illegal export to Iran of certain technologies (including microcontrollers, voltage regulators, and microprocessors) that can be used in the development and operation of UAS.

The State Department must develop a strategy to prevent the export of these technologies to Iran from the United States and allied and partner countries.

Finally, the Department of Defense must develop a range of options that may be employed by the U.S. Armed Forces to counter or deny the ability of Iran to acquire these technologies and other technologies useful for UAS, such as computer-aided design (CAD) software and computer numerical control (CNC) machines.

Economic Espionage Prevention Act

This bill authorizes the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign adversary entities that knowingly engage in (1) economic and industrial espionage with respect to trade secrets and proprietary information owned by U.S. persons, (2) the provision of material support or services to a foreign adversaries' national security entities, or (3) the violation of U.S. export control laws. The bill cites regulations that define China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and the Maduro regime of Venezuela as foreign adversaries.

The bill also limits certain exemptions from the President's authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). IEEPA provides the President broad authority to regulate a variety of economic transactions following a declaration of national emergency, but exempts from this authority activities such as (1) the import or export of information or informational materials; (2) transactions ordinarily incident to international travel, such as the importation of personal baggage; and (3) personal communications, such as postal or telephonic communications, that do not transfer anything of value. Under the bill, the first two of these exemptions are not applicable if the President determines such imports and exports would seriously impair the ability to deal with a declared national emergency. Additionally, the bill specifies that the first and third exemptions listed above do not apply to bulk sensitive personal data or source code used in a connected software application.

Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2025

This bill eliminates a sunset clause in the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, thereby making the act permanent.

The Iran Sanctions Act requires the President, with some exceptions, to impose sanctions on certain individuals or entities engaged in specified transactions related to Iran's energy sector or Iran's efforts to acquire or develop certain weapons (such as chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons).

Undersea Cable Control Act

This bill requires the President and the Department of Commerce to take certain actions to prevent foreign adversaries from acquiring items needed to support the construction, maintenance, or operation of undersea cable projects. For the purposes of this bill, a foreign adversary is any foreign government or nongovernment person (entity or individual) engaged in certain conduct that significantly and adversely affects U.S. national security.

Within one year of the bill's enactment, the President must seek to enter into agreements with allies and partners to prevent such items from being available to foreign adversaries.

Furthermore, Commerce must determine the appropriate level of export and transfer controls for such items under the Export Administration Regulations.

The bill also requires Commerce to develop a strategy to prevent such items from being available to foreign adversaries. The President must report annually to Congress on this strategy.

Stop Stealing our Chips Act

This bill creates a whistleblower incentive program and establishes whistleblower protections for individuals who provide information to the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) related to violations of U.S. export control laws.

Currently, BIS administers and enforces controls on the export of dual-use goods (e.g., items with both civilian and military uses) and certain military parts and components. These export controls are implemented primarily under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) through the Export Administration Regulations.

Under the bill, BIS must establish a whistleblower incentive program to reward individuals who voluntarily report original information that results in BIS imposing fines under ECRA on persons that violate, attempt to violate, conspire to violate, or cause a violation of ECRA or any related regulation, order, license, or authorization.

Additionally, BIS must establish a secure online portal for whistleblowers to report violations of ECRA. The bill outlines requirements for BIS to review, investigate, and provide status updates related to these reports.

The bill authorizes BIS to pay an award to any whistleblower who voluntarily reported original information that led to the imposition of a fine under ECRA. The bill establishes the Export Compliance Accountability Fund for paying these awards and funding related activities.

The bill also sets forth whistleblower protections by (1) prohibiting retaliation against individuals who act as whistleblowers, and (2) establishing confidentiality requirements.

Hindering Oppressive Nations from Obtaining Revenue Act or HONOR Act

This bill prohibits a taxpayer from claiming the foreign tax credit (FTC) or an itemized tax deduction for taxes paid, accrued, or deemed paid to Russia.

Under current law, a taxpayer may claim the FTC for income, war profits, and excess profits taxes (or taxes imposed in lieu of these taxes) paid, accrued, or deemed paid to a foreign country (and certain U.S. possessions) or an itemized tax deduction for such taxes, both subject to limitations.

However, under current law, a taxpayer may not claim the FTC (but may claim an itemized tax deduction) for taxes paid to a foreign country if (1) the United States does not recognize the country’s government, (2) the United States severs or does not conduct diplomatic relations with the country, or (3) the country is designated by the Department of State as supporting international terrorist acts. (Currently, the FTC is disallowed for taxes paid, accrued, or deemed paid to Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria.)

Under the bill, a taxpayer may not claim the FTC for taxes paid, accrued, or deemed paid to Russia beginning 30 days after the date of enactment and until normal U.S. trade relations with Russia are restored (pursuant to requirements established by the Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act).

The bill also disallows an itemized tax deduction for taxes paid, accrued, or deemed to be paid to Russia (effective 90 days after the date of enactment).

Chip Security Act

This bill requires covered integrated circuit products (e.g., advanced computing chips) to incorporate certain security mechanisms.

Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Commerce to require any covered integrated circuit product to have chip security mechanisms that implement location verification before the product is exported, reexported, or in-country transferred to or in a foreign country.

Commerce must require any person that has received a license or other authorization under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to export, reexport, or in-country transfer a covered product to promptly report to Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security if the person obtains credible information that the product has been diverted away from its intended location or has been subjected to tampering.

Additionally, Commerce must conduct an assessment and report to Congress on whether additional chip security mechanisms should be adopted. If Commerce determines additional security measures are necessary, then Commerce must require any covered product to include the secondary chip security mechanisms before the product is exported, reexported, or in-country transferred to or in a foreign country.

The bill authorizes Commerce to take certain enforcement actions, such as verifying the ownership and location of a covered product that has been exported, reexported, or in-country transferred to or in a foreign country.

Commerce must, within two years of the bill's enactment and annually thereafter for three years, assess new chip security mechanisms and report to Congress.