Senate Passes Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026: What You Need to Know
The Senate has passed a bill imposing new sanctions on Russia for its actions in Ukraine with strong bipartisan support. The bill, named The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, targets top Russian figures and major buyers of Russian oil. It allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, with exceptions for certain countries. The bill also includes sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials, oligarchs, and financial institutions. Additionally, it extends sanctions on Iran's energy and weapons sectors at the urging of President Trump.
The bill gained momentum after the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, who had championed previous versions of the legislation. The Senate vote, with a majority of 86 to 11, followed the resolution of opposition this week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who attended Graham's funeral in Washington, watched from the Senate gallery as the sanctions were advanced. The bill now moves to the House, where it may face resistance from Democrats skeptical of the tariff provisions.
The House is currently on a break, delaying the bill's potential passage. Some Democrats have expressed concerns that the bill could give President Trump excessive tariff authority. Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the bill as granting the president a "Trojan horse for tariff authorities." Despite these concerns, Speaker Mike Johnson expressed optimism about reaching a deal with the White House on the bill.
In conclusion, the Senate's approval of the sanctions bill targeting Russia and Iran marks a significant step in increasing pressure on Moscow and Tehran. The bill's passage in the House, though delayed, will be a crucial next step in implementing these punitive measures.