The Senate is poised to proceed with a procedural vote on a significant Russia and Iran sanctions bill, officially named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The move follows an agreement reached Tuesday morning by a bipartisan group of senators to advance the legislation, which was a key focus for the late Senator Graham. Graham had been actively negotiating the sanctions package with the White House prior to his death earlier this month.
The vote is scheduled for Tuesday evening, coinciding with Graham's funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is in Washington to attend Graham's funeral, is also expected to be on Capitol Hill for a meeting accessible to all senators shortly before the vote.
Zelenskyy's presence in Washington includes meetings beyond the funeral, notably with President Donald Trump, amidst the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The bill specifically aims to impose primary and secondary sanctions on Russia and any countries that provide support to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The targets include Russian political figures, oligarchs, banks, financial institutions, and the Russian shadow fleet.
Additionally, the legislation grants the president authority to impose tariffs. These tariffs would be limited to the top five importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas and the five leading countries that assist Russia in evading energy sanctions. The bill also extends existing sanctions on Iran, originally set to expire this year, through 2031. These extended sanctions aim to restrict Iran's energy and weapons sectors.
"We are proud to announce an agreement on legislation to stop purchasers of Russian oil and gas from fueling Putin's war machine and to continue restricting the Iranian regime's ability to support terrorism and build its nuclear program," stated a joint release from the senators involved in the agreement. "There is no greater way to honor Senator Graham’s legacy than to move forward with this bipartisan agreement, and we look forward to today’s vote."
The bill currently has more than 60 cosponsors, indicating a strong likelihood of easy passage in the Senate. Tuesday night's vote is procedural, serving to pave the way for final passage later in the week. The House of Representatives is not scheduled to be in session until August 31, meaning the bill will likely not reach President Trump's desk until after the House reconvenes. A White House official confirmed that the bill aligns with the president's directive to include sanctions on the Iranian regime.