**US Senate Passes Lindsey Graham’s Russia Sanctions Bill**
In a significant legislative move, the US Senate has approved a bill that would empower President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas. The bill, titled ‘The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026’, was introduced by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away last month. The Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, with a final tally of 86 votes in favor and 11 against.
The bill's passage took place on a Friday, with Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, who has been appointed to fill his Senate seat, announcing the results. President Trump has indicated his willingness to sign the legislation into law, contingent upon its successful passage through the House of Representatives next week.
Among the senators who voted against the bill was Republican Senator Rand Paul, making him the only member of his party to oppose the measure. Additionally, Independent Senator Bernie Sanders and a group of nine progressive Democrats, including former presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren, also voted against the bill.
The legislation specifically targets the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas, which notably includes countries like China and India. An earlier draft of the bill proposed even steeper tariffs of up to 500%, but the final version allows Trump to decide whether to impose the tariffs at all.
The bill's passage comes shortly after the death of Senator Graham, who was known for his strong advocacy for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Just a week before the vote, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with over 60 senators in Washington, urging them to support the bill and expedite military assistance to Ukraine. Graham had met with Zelensky multiple times since the escalation of the conflict in 2022 and was actively involved in discussions regarding US military aid and strategies against Russian aggression.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a co-sponsor of the bill, reflected on the significance of the vote, stating, “Today, President Zelensky is watching from Ukraine, and Putin is watching from Moscow. I would like to think Lindsey Graham is watching too.” This sentiment underscores the bill's intended message of solidarity with Ukraine and a firm stance against Russian actions.
In addition to targeting Russian oil and gas purchasers, the legislation also includes sanctions against President Vladimir Putin, senior Kremlin officials, Russian banks, and business figures, as well as the Iranian energy and arms sectors. However, many experts view these sanctions as largely symbolic, given that a significant number of Russian and Iranian elites have already been subjected to US sanctions.
As the bill moves to the House of Representatives, it remains to be seen how it will be received and whether it will ultimately become law. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for US foreign policy and its stance on Russian and Iranian activities on the global stage.