Russia sanctions bill clears Senate with few opponents
The Senate approved the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 with overwhelming bipartisan support, passing it with 86 votes in favor and only 11 against. The legislation aims to strengthen sanctions against Russia and Iran, particularly targeting oil revenues to hinder Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. It authorizes President Trump to impose tariffs on the top five buyers of Russian oil, such as China and India, and extends existing sanctions on Iran’s energy and weapons sectors. Notable opponents included several Democrats and Senator Rand Paul. The bill emphasizes a firm stance against Russian and Iranian aggression and is expected to move to the House next month for consideration.
The Senate voted Friday to strengthen sanctions against Russia and Iran, passing a measure honoring the late Sen. Lindsey Graham in a rare but strong show of bipartisanship.
The upper chamber cleared the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 with the support of 86 senators. Only 11 senators — 10 Democrats and one Republican — opposed the legislation that will now head to the House.
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The provision is designed to “hit Putin where it hurts,” said interim Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC), Graham’s sister, in funding Russia’s war against Ukraine: oil revenue.
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“This legislation tells Russia’s customers that the United States of America will not sit by while they fund Putin’s assault,” Graham Nordone said. “Just as the backers of this war will soon be forced to make a choice, each member of this body must also make a choice: whether we have the courage to stand up to evil or whether we will continue on with the status quo.”
The bill allows President Donald Trump to impose tariffs against the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas like China and India, as well as the leading countries that help Russia avoid sanctions.
Those who opposed the bill were Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Peter Welch (D-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Rand Paul (R-KY). Ossoff is perhaps the most notable dissenter. He faces a battleground reelection this November in the toss-up state of Georgia.
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FILE – Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., introduces Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, during a committee hearing Nov. 19, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)
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The measure also extends sanctions against Iran’s energy and weapons industries that were set to expire this year after a bipartisan deal was struck with Senate Democrats to pair the two economic penalties.
After concerns were raised by Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) about expanding Trump’s tariff authorities that the president has tried to unilaterally implement against countries across the globe, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said nations would see the tariffs lifted once they are no longer among the top five Russian oil purchasers. An amendment from Paul to remove the ability to impose some of the tariffs failed prior to the bill’s passage.
The House is expected to take up the measure next month following its return from August recess.
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