House Rules Hearing on Russia & Iran Sanctions — Transcript & Key Exchanges — September 14, 2026

02:13The committee comes to order and lists the measures before it: H.J. Res. 210 and 213, H.R. 9576, H.R. 10326, and the Senate amendments to H.R. 5334.

04:49Chairwoman Virginia Foxx turns to H.R. 5334, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, describing it as a bipartisan sanctions package aimed at increasing economic pressure on adversaries and supporting deterrence.

05:35Foxx acknowledges Democratic concerns about the tariff provisions but argues the question is how to use U.S. economic leverage to defend a sovereign nation from invasion.

06:27Ranking Member Jim McGovern criticizes the broader agenda and says that while he supports Ukraine and has long opposed Vladimir Putin, Congress should scrutinize the details and the administration's record rather than simply accept another sanctions bill.

12:06The first panel begins with Reps. Gary Palmer and Frank Pallone discussing the California emissions resolutions. The debate centers on federalism, fuel costs, air-quality rules and the effect of the challenged waivers.

22:46Members question whether California's harbor and vessel rules increase fuel and shipping costs or instead accelerate cleaner port technology; the witnesses sharply disagree about the economic effect.

50:01The hearing returns to household fuel costs, diesel prices and the practical effect of California-specific regulations on ports and shipping.

01:00:00Palmer points to federal rural-health funding while members debate whether current legislation addresses affordability and fraud effectively.

01:06:50A second panel begins with Rep. Ben Cline and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin on the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act and the PROOF Act.

01:07:09Cline argues that federal fraud enforcement is fragmented and that the proposed legislation would strengthen accountability and coordination.

01:10:10Raskin challenges the majority's fraud agenda and argues that the committee should examine alleged abuses and conflicts at the highest levels of government as well as ordinary program fraud.

01:29:37Members discuss the administration's proposed $5,000 payment and competing descriptions of whether such a plan is legitimate relief or politically motivated spending.

02:13:20Members return to how fraud is investigated across the Justice Department and whether a new enforcement structure would improve results or duplicate existing authority.

02:16:19The Foreign Affairs panel begins with Reps. Michael McCaul and Gregory Meeks to address the Senate amendments to H.R. 5334.

02:17:13McCaul calls the moment critical and argues for using sanctions and economic pressure to make it harder for Russia and Iran to finance aggression.

02:24:57Meeks says he has strongly supported Ukraine but objects that the House had no role in drafting the Senate package and raises concerns about broad secondary tariffs and waiver language.

02:26:33Meeks emphasizes that the measure did not move through the House Foreign Affairs Committee and says House members should not surrender their legislative role simply because the Senate acted first.

02:31:31Meeks describes amendments intended to remove broad secondary tariffs, authorize substantial foreign military financing for Ukraine and tighten the standard for presidential waivers.

02:43:27Members question McCaul about the impact of secondary tariffs on U.S. manufacturers that trade with countries purchasing Russian energy.

02:49:01The discussion turns to whether aggressive secondary sanctions and tariffs would materially change the calculations of countries enabling Russian energy revenue and thereby pressure Moscow toward ending the war.

02:52:29The panel closes this stretch with an appeal for the House to act decisively in support of Ukraine while continuing the argument over the best combination of sanctions, tariffs and military financing.