Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill Named for Lindsey Graham

The Senate on Friday passed a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill, approving 86-11 legislation long championed by South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly last month at the age of 71.

The bill is designed to squeeze the Russian economy and help bring an end to a war that began in 2022, when President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine that has since cost thousands of civilian lives.

The measure would impose sanctions on top Russian leaders and create harsh new penalties for countries that buy Russian oil and natural gas. It would give President Trump the authority to impose tariffs on those importers — up to 100% for major buyers of Russian energy such as China and India. The bill also extends sanctions against Iran.

Shortly before his death, Graham met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and announced that he had reached a deal with the White House to support the bill. After he died, Graham's Senate colleagues said they would name the legislation in his honor.

"My late brother Lindsey was a foreign policy and national security expert. He was also a peace maker who was determined to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine," said Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., in remarks on the Senate floor ahead of the vote. She was appointed to serve out the remainder of her brother's term.

"The war against Ukraine is primarily funded by the revenue Russia rakes in from energy sales," she said. "Without these profits the ability to fund the war would be crippled. This legislation hits Putin where it hurts."

The bill still needs to pass the House of Representatives before it can go to Trump for his signature. Trump has signaled support for the measure, as has House Speaker Mike Johnson. But the Louisiana Republican will not have many votes to spare: some House Democrats have voiced opposition, citing concerns about granting Trump new tariff authorities.