US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill championed by late Sen. Graham

The U.S. Senate has overwhelmingly passed a comprehensive sanctions bill targeting Russia, advancing a measure long supported by the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The legislation, which also incorporates expanded sanctions on Iran at the request of President Donald Trump, now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senator Graham, a prominent ally of Ukraine, had been a vocal advocate for increasing economic pressure on Moscow for its invasion. The bill, officially named the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026," passed the Senate with an 86-11 vote. It targets Russian officials and proposes stiff tariffs on countries like China and India to diminish their reliance on Russian oil and gas.

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a timely and significant step that strengthens pressure on Russia.

The Senate's Republican leadership had previously delayed bringing the bill to a vote due to resistance from President Trump, who has maintained control over sanctions decisions during his second term. The Ukrainian embassy in Washington welcomed the Senate's passage, calling it a "timely and significant step that strengthens pressure on Russia."

However, securing passage in the House may prove challenging. Some lawmakers and industries are apprehensive about the new tariff authorities granted to President Trump, concerned that these powers could increase costs for U.S. importers and consumers. Representatives Gregory Meeks and Don Beyer voiced "fundamental concerns" about the broad tariff powers, warning that the president "could weaponize with abandon, as he has repeatedly done in the past."

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What the bill does grant ... are sweeping new tariff authorities that the president could weaponize with abandon, as he has repeatedly done in the past.