US Senate passes Russia sanctions championed by Graham; US House next

The US Senate passed sweeping Russia sanctions legislation on Friday, advancing a measure championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The bill, which also targets Iran, now heads to the House. The Senate voted 86-11 to pass the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026," which sanctions Russian officials and authorizes tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas. The Ukrainian embassy welcomed the move, but House passage faces skepticism over tariff powers for President Trump.

The US Senate passed sweeping Russia sanctions legislation on Friday, August 7, 2026, by a vote of 86-11. The bill, named the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026," was championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on July 11. It aims to increase economic pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine by sanctioning Russian officials and authorizing tariffs of up to 100% on countries that are major consumers of Russian energy, including India, Japan, and some EU states. The bill also includes expanded sanctions on Iran, sought by President Trump. The Senate's Republican leaders had delayed the bill due to Trump's resistance, but Graham and Trump agreed to move forward shortly before Graham's death. The bill now heads to the House, where it faces skepticism from some lawmakers and industries wary of new tariff powers for Trump. The Ukrainian embassy welcomed the passage, calling it "a timely and significant step."