Lindsey Graham died Saturday after Ukraine trip, had secured White House approval for Russia sanctions bill

Senator Lindsey Graham died Saturday on the heels of his tenth trip to Ukraine, a nation he fiercely supported. He had spoken twice by phone with CBS News' Margaret Brennan on Friday, expressing excitement about a significant legislative accomplishment.

Graham revealed that the Trump White House had given him the green light for Congress to advance his long-sought bill imposing substantial financial penalties on Russia by targeting buyers of Russian oil. He attributed the shift to Russian President Vladimir Putin's persistent attacks, which he felt made it clear Putin was acting duplicitously. Graham also noted a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, suggesting President Trump now viewed Zelenskyy as "more of a winner."

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saying one thing and doing another.

The senator believed this sanctions package would exert leverage on China and India, the primary purchasers of Russian fuel. He anticipated overwhelming support from his Republican colleagues, recalling that past versions of the bill had garnered 85 signatories. In a rare display of bipartisanship, Graham emphasized the crucial role of Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, urging Brennan to ensure Blumenthal received credit.

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more of a winner now.

Graham and Blumenthal had previously discussed their bipartisan efforts to pressure Russia through sanctions and tariffs on oil buyers in a July 13, 2025, interview on "Face the Nation." At that time, Graham stated his intention to provide President Trump with a "sledgehammer to go after Putin's economy, and all those countries who prop up the Putin war machine." The two senators had also traveled through Europe, encouraging European nations to cease purchasing Russian fuel and to align with sanctions.

Blumenthal confirmed on Friday that he and Graham would secure the necessary votes for passage. Following Graham's death, the decision to bring the bill to a vote now rests with Republican leaders in the Senate and House. Graham had also recently discussed his work with then-President Joe Biden to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, aiming to turn the Iran war into an opportunity for such normalization.

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a sledgehammer to go after Putin's economy, and all those countries who prop up the Putin war machine.