- The U.S. Senate on August 7 passed a sweeping sanctions bill against Russia and Iran, with a vote of 86-11.
- The bill, titled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, is designed to punish major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
- The bill now heads to the Republican-controlled House, where its future is uncertain.
- Lindsey Graham worked on the sanctions initiative for over a year and reached an agreement with Donald Trump shortly before his death on July 11.
- Senators struck a deal on July 28, less than two weeks after Graham's death, to advance the legislation.
- The Senate voted 86-12 to advance the bill procedurally last month, shortly after reaching the deal.
The U.S. Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on August 7, with a decisive vote of 68-9. This legislation, named in honor of the late senator, seeks to impose stringent sanctions on Russia and Iran, particularly targeting Moscow's energy exports amid its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.34
The bill aims to increase economic pressure on Russia, which has been financing its military actions through oil and gas revenues. It includes provisions for sanctions against Russian officials and allows for tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries heavily reliant on Russian energy. Senate Majority Leader John Thune emphasized the bill's importance, stating, “As long as Putin has Russian oil and gas money, he’s able to continue this war.”
Despite bipartisan support, concerns have been raised regarding the potential for increased import costs in the U.S. Some lawmakers, including a group of Democrats and Sen. Rand Paul, have criticized the bill for granting excessive tariff authority to President Donald Trump. The legislation also extends sanctions aimed at limiting funding for Iran's weapons and energy sectors, reflecting a broader strategy to counter both nations' influence.
The bill's passage is seen as a significant step in U.S. foreign policy, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressing gratitude for the support, stating, “It’s also a big signal to Europe, big signal to Ukraine.” The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
“The bill, which passed 86-11, allows President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas, a tool some Democrats and Sen. Rand Paul criticize as giving too much tariff authority. It also extends sanction authority to limit funding for Iran's weapons and energy sectors.”
Межа. Новини України.
