US Senate overwhelmingly passes sweeping Russia sanctions bill
Senate passes sweeping Russia sanctions bill championed by the late Lindsey Graham, as his Democratic partner hails a “momentous day”
The US Senate on Friday overwhelmingly approved sweeping new sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine, ending more than a year of negotiations over the measure.
Senators voted 86-11 to pass the bill, which now goes to the House. The legislation targets senior Russian officials, banks and oligarchs and gives the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
The measure had repeatedly stalled despite bipartisan support, amid resistance from the White House and competing legislative priorities. Momentum returned after Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of its chief architects, died in July shortly after announcing an agreement with the administration on a revised version.
Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who worked with Graham on the bill, called Friday’s vote a “momentous day.” Graham’s sister, Republican Sen. Darline Graham, who succeeded him, said he viewed the sanctions package as the most consequential legislation he had led.
The bill, formally named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, also expands sanctions on Iran’s energy and weapons sectors at President Donald Trump’s urging. It allows the president to waive the measures if he determines doing so is in the US national interest.