The U.S. Senate approved on Friday a sweeping bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russia's energy revenue, voting 86 to 11 to send the legislation to the House of Representatives.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 authorizes President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries that continue purchasing oil and natural gas from Russia, with China and India identified as the largest importers. The bill also extends existing sanctions against Iran.
The legislation is named in honor of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who died last month at the age of 71 after years of advocating for tougher measures against Moscow. Shortly before his death, Graham met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and secured a deal with the White House to advance the bill.
Senator Darline Graham, R-S.C., who was appointed to serve out the remainder of her brother's term, said from the Senate floor that the war against Ukraine is primarily funded by the revenue Russia rakes in from energy sales and that the legislation hits Putin where it hurts.
Major importers of Russian energy include China, India, Azerbaijan, Hungary, and Slovakia. The bill targets top Russian leaders and imposes penalties on nations that continue purchasing Russian energy, aiming to stifle the revenue funding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The Senate vote came on August 8. The legislation now moves to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled support, though some Democrats have voiced opposition over concerns about granting the president new tariff authority.
Sources
- [NPR](https://www.npr.org/2026/08/07/nx-s1-5924914/senate-passes-russia-sanctions-bill-that-was-long-championed-by-lindsey-graham)
- [Daily Finland](https://www.dailyfinland.fi/article/us-senate-passes-russia-sanctions-bill-could-trigger-100-tariff-on-china-india)
