President Trump signed sweeping new Russia and Iran sanctions into law. On Friday, Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, targeting Vladimir Putin, senior Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, and the "shadow fleet" of tankers moving Russian oil, while extending sanctions on Iran's energy and weapons sectors. The bill also authorizes tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas — expected to hit China and India hardest. It passed with rare bipartisan support, including 58 House Democrats. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called it "an extremely powerful tool," while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned the tariffs could "raise costs for American families."
The House voted to hold billionaire Leon Black in contempt of Congress. In a bipartisan vote Wednesday, the House found Black in contempt after he repeatedly defied House Oversight Committee subpoenas tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation — refusing a sworn deposition and declining to turn over nondisclosure agreements he signed, including ones potentially involving Epstein abuse survivors. Black has instead sued the committee, arguing it exceeded its authority.
A new "public charge" immigration rule took effect, drawing immediate legal challenges. The expanded rule, effective September 18, lets immigration officers weigh use of programs like Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP, and housing assistance when reviewing green-card and visa applications, though officials say benefit use alone won't automatically trigger a denial. Multiple states, cities, and counties have already filed suit, arguing the rule hands officers excessive discretionary power; the policy remains in effect while the cases proceed.
A federal judge blocked a separate rule that would have capped international students' stay in the US. The preliminary injunction stops a Department of Homeland Security policy that would have replaced the "duration of status" system with fixed admission periods for international students and exchange visitors. The existing system, including the 60-day grace period for F-1 students, remains in place for now.
Gas prices climbed to a national average of $4.48 a gallon as Houthi rebel gains in Yemen continue to unsettle Middle East shipping lanes that carry roughly a third of the world's seaborne oil. Crude has hovered near $96 a barrel, with diesel prices also hitting records — adding pressure on consumers and freight costs heading into the fall.
트럼프 대통령이 지난 금요일 러시아·이란 제재를 강화하는 "린지 그레이엄 러시아·이란 제재법"에 서명했습니다. 푸틴 대통령과 러시아 고위 관료, 은행, 에너지·방산 부문, 그림자 유조선단을 제재 대상으로 하며, 러시아산 원유 최대 수입국 5곳(중국·인도 등)에 최대 100% 관세를 부과할 권한도 포함됩니다. 하원 민주당 58명이 찬성하는 등 초당적 지지를 받았습니다.
하원은 억만장자 리온 블랙을 의회 모독죄로 규정하는 표결을 진행했습니다. 블랙은 제프리 엡스타인 사건 관련 하원 감독위원회의 소환에 반복적으로 불응했으며, 피해자들과 체결한 비밀유지계약서 제출을 거부했습니다.
이민자의 복지 프로그램(메디케이드·SNAP 등) 이용 여부를 심사에 반영하는 새로운 "공적부조 수혜자(public charge)" 규정이 9월 18일부터 시행되며, 여러 주·시 정부가 즉각 소송을 제기했습니다. 한편 연방판사는 유학생 체류기간을 고정 기간으로 제한하려던 국토안보부 규정에 대해 예비 금지명령을 내려, 기존 "duration of status" 제도가 당분간 유지됩니다.
예멘 후티 반군의 세력 확대로 중동 해상 운송로에 대한 우려가 커지면서 전국 평균 휘발유 가격이 갤런당 4.48달러까지 올랐고, 원유는 배럴당 96달러 선을 유지하고 있습니다.
Sources: Al Jazeera, NPR, Boundless, AAA Gas Prices, Patch
