Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill Honoring Graham

The Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on Friday in an 86-11 vote. Graham, who brokered the final deal with the White House the day before he died, did not live to see the passage.

• Up to 100% tariffs would hit the five largest buyers of Russian crude oil or natural gas.
• 10 Democrats and one Republican — Rand Paul — voted against the bill.
• The bill also extends Iran energy and weapons sanctions set to expire after 2026.
• Countries importing less than 15% of Russia's total natural gas exports may be exempt.

Why it matters: The bill targets oil revenue that lawmakers say funds Russia's war against Ukraine. It also sends a signal to European allies and to Kyiv about U.S. commitment.

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended Graham's funeral and watched the initial procedural vote from the Senate gallery.
• The Iran provisions prevent existing sanctions from lapsing at year's end.

How 36 sources split on this story

Where they split: The central dispute was whether to grant the administration broad tariff authority — critics said Trump has shown willingness to use such power beyond its intent; supporters called the authority narrowly tailored.

What’s next: The House returns from summer recess August 31 and is expected to take up the bill then.

• U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will set final tariff levels, capped at 100%.
• Will the House pass the bill intact, or will members seek to renegotiate tariff provisions?
• Would Trump sign the bill, given his ongoing efforts to negotiate a Russia-Ukraine settlement?
• Sen. Jon Ossoff's no vote could factor into his competitive Georgia reelection race — how will it play?