Congress Passes Economic Sanctions Against Russia. Critics Say It Will Broaden Trump Tariff Powers.

Congress passed a bill that strengthens economic sanctions against Russia, also broadening President Donald Trump's ability to impose tariffs.

Democratic Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal cosponsored the bill and said that it had "scorching sanctions" on oligarchs, financial institutions, and energy companies. The tariff aspect of the bill, Blumenthal said will allow the U.S. to go after "Russian enablers."

"To Vladimir Putin, we have your number," Blumenthal said. "Your economy is reeling. We're going to throttle your war machine. To China and India, to you, you better clean up your act. Buy your oil and gas from somewhere else."

The bill passed the House by a vote of 262-159. Democratic Party leadership, along with some Republicans, opposed the measure because of the broadening of Trump tariffs powers.

"We unequivocally support the Ukrainian people in their courageous fight for freedom against Russian aggression. Ukraine is on the side of democracy, freedom and truth," Democratic House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said.

However, Jeffries said that the bill also would give Trump "extraordinary power" and allow him "to continue his failed global trade war that is causing costs to skyrocket for working families across America."

According to CNN, although Republicans publicly supported the bill, several had been lobbying House Speaker Mike Johnson to remove the tariff powers that it included. Johnson, however, refused.

The network reported that the bill would allow Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries that buy Russian oil and gas. Those countries include China and India.

The bill does include a guardrail, as U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer would have final say on tariff levels. Still, critics believe that might not be enough.

Blumenthal brushed aside the concerns about the tariffs, saying that action had to be taken to thwart Russian aggression and support Ukraine. He said the tariff aspect of the bill was "limited and targeted" to major purchases of Russian oil and gas exports and would focus solely on Russian "enablers."