The Senate on Tuesday advanced a long-stalled Russia sanctions bill, named in honor of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, just hours after his funeral service in Washington. The legislation, which passed a procedural hurdle in an 86-12 vote, aims to target Russian oil and gas exports that fuel the war in Ukraine and extends existing sanctions against Iran’s energy and weapons sectors.
Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) noted the unique timing of the vote, stating on the Senate floor that Graham "somehow orchestrated a vote on Ukraine’s future." She added that even though Graham was not physically present, "his presence can certainly be felt in this chamber."
The bill, officially titled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, imposes primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and entities supporting its war effort. This includes Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members, foreign individuals and entities, Russian banks, and the Russian Shadow Fleet. It also grants the president the authority to impose targeted tariffs on goods from countries that purchase Russian oil or gas or facilitate sanctions evasion, though this authority is limited to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas and the top five countries aiding evasion.
Senators on both sides of the aisle emphasized the bipartisan nature of the legislation and its importance in honoring Graham’s legacy. A joint statement from senators including Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Britt, and Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC), said, “There is no greater way to honor Senator Graham’s legacy than to move forward with this bipartisan agreement.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal stated the bill sends a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, “America stands with Ukraine.” He expressed optimism that the bill would also pass the House of Representatives, noting that the legislation is carefully crafted to target China and India, which he identified as major purchasers of Russian oil and gas.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who attended Graham’s funeral in Washington, met with senators on Capitol Hill and President Trump at the White House prior to the vote. Zelensky called the late senator a "true friend of Ukraine" and expressed gratitude for the bill, stating, "Sanctions pressure on Russia is very important and really gives… a big signal to Europe, a big support to our people."
Sen. Lindsey Graham had originally introduced the legislation last year. It had garnered significant support but faced delays as former President Trump pursued negotiations to end the conflict. A day before his death on July 11, Graham announced an agreement with the White House to move forward with the sanctions push. Graham had reportedly viewed the bill as the most consequential legislation he ever led. Ukrainian President Zelensky watched some of the vote from the Senate gallery, applauding the lawmakers.