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Senate passes sanctions bill
The U.S. Senate passed the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" on Friday, approving the measure by a vote of 86-11 and sending it to the House of Representatives for a vote.
“The Senate voted 86 to 11 to pass the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026"”
The bill was backed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, and it was negotiated over more than a year as the war with Russia continues, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy having visited Washington, D.C. to meet with President Donald Trump and attend Graham's memorial services.
Reuters said the legislation would impose sanctions on Russian officials and authorize stiff tariffs on China, India and other countries to reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas, while also including expanded sanctions on Iran sought by President Donald Trump.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said, "Today, President Zelenskyy is watching from Ukraine — and Putin is watching from Moscow," and added, "I would like to think Lindsey Graham is watching, too."
Tariffs power sparks debate
The Senate vote came after debate over tariff authority, with Reuters describing worries that new tariff powers for Trump could raise costs for U.S. importers and consumers while exposing Republicans to political blowback.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted against the bill, and Reuters quoted him saying, "Increasing taxes on Americans will not end Putin's war in Ukraine," before the amendment vote.
The CNN-framed account said the bill would impose mandatory sanctions on senior Russian government officials including President Vladimir Putin and would propose tariffs of up to 100% on five countries that import Russian crude oil and natural gas, including China and India.
It also reported that Senator Elizabeth Warren told CNN in July, "This is extremely important. But Donald Trump has shown what he will do with broad tariff authority."
House vote and next steps
The bill now faces its next test in the House, where the CNN-linked account said it must go to the House of Representatives for a vote and noted the chamber was in recess until September.
“"This bill gives him so much discretion that Trump can ultimately decide what countries to tariff, or what countries to exempt."”
Reuters said the measure would be considered by the House of Representatives as soon as next month, and it described the Senate’s action as setting the stage for that timing.
The Guardian reported that some Democrats warned the bill would give Trump new tariff powers, quoting Ron Wyden saying, "This bill gives him so much discretion that Trump can ultimately decide what countries to tariff, or what countries to exempt."
NPR reported that the legislation would still need to pass the House before it could go to President Trump for his signature, and it quoted Sen. Darline Graham saying, "This legislation hits Putin where it hurts."
