Updated 1w+ ago · Politics
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 42 sources split on this story
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42 sources · 50 articles · 43% Center coverage
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.
Center18 sources
Associated Press1w+El Senado de EEUU aprueba proyecto de sanciones a Rusia negociado por el fallecido Lindsey GrahamIBTimes1w+US Senate Nod For Russia Sanctions. Ukraine Cheers Move, But Will Moscow BlinkPBS NewsHour1w+WATCH LIVE: Senate passes Graham's Russia sanctions bill, confirms dozens of nomineesReuters1w+Le Sénat américain approuve un paquet de sanctions contre la RussieYahoo News1w+With broad bipartisan support, Congress is about to give Trump ‘unchecked authority’ to impose new tariffs of up to 100% on top trading partnersBloomberg1w+US Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill Championed by GrahamCNBC1w+Russia sanctions bill honoring Lindsey Graham breezes through Senate, heads to HouseCTV News1w+U.S. Senate passes sweeping Russia energy sanctions, next stop U.S. HouseFortune1w+With broad bipartisan support, Congress is about to give Trump 'unchecked authority' to impose new tariffs of up to 100% on top trading partners | FortuneJapan Times1w+U.S. Senate passes Russia sanctions championed by late Lindsey GrahamJerusalem Post1w+US Senate passes Russia sanctions championed by Graham; US House nextNewsweek1w+List of Senators opposing Lindsey Graham's Russia sanctions bill—here's whyNPR1w+Senate passes Russia sanctions bill that was long championed by Lindsey GrahamRoll Call1w+Long-stalled Russia sanctions bill passed by SenateScripps News1w+Senate approves Russia sanctions package backed by late Sen. GrahamThe Hill1w+Senate overwhelmingly passes Russia sanctions billThe National Desk1w+Senate overwhelmingly passes Lindsey Graham's Russia sanctions billTimes of Israel1w+US Senate passes Russia sanctions championed by late senator Lindsey Graham
Left coverage, 10 sources: The left frames the bill as a hard-won bipartisan achievement shadowed by concerns that Trump could wield new tariff authority unpredictably, citing Sen. Warren's warning as a legitimate check on executive power.
CNN1w+Senate passes Russia sanctions bill named in honor of the late Sen. Lindsey GrahamThe Boston Globe1w+Senate passes sanctions bill targeting Russia and IranABC News1w+Senate approves Russia sanctions bill named after Sen. Lindsey GrahamAl Jazeera1w+US Senate passes sweeping Russian energy sanctions bill amid Ukraine warHuffPost1w+Senate Passes Sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill Named For Lindsey GrahamLos Angeles Times1w+Senate passes Russia sanctions bill negotiated by GrahamNBC News1w+Senate passes sanctions bill on Russia and Iran named for late Sen. Lindsey GrahamPolitical Wire1w+Senate Passes Sanctions Bill On Russia and IranThe Guardian1w+US Senate passes Russia sanctions bill championed by Lindsey GrahamThe New York Times1w+Senate Passes Sanctions Bill Targeting Russia and Iran
Right coverage, 14 sources: The right frames the bill as a fitting tribute to Graham's legacy and a strong bipartisan signal to Putin, with Graham's sister and Republican colleagues casting passage as a moral stand for the free world.
New York Post1w+Let Lindsey Graham’s 'sanctions from Hell' bill be the knockout punch to Russia's war machineWashington Examiner1w+10 Democrats and Rand Paul oppose Russia sanctions billNewsmax1w+Zelenskyy Hails Senate Passage of Russia Sanctions Bill Championed by Lindsey GrahamBizPac Review1w+Senate passes Lindsey Graham’s neocon-backed bill targeting RussiaFox News1w+Lindsey Graham's final mission to punish Putin clears Senate after yearlong fightJust the News1w+Senate approves Russia sanctions bill championed by Lindsey GrahamNTD1w+Senate Passes Bill to Impose New Sanctions on Russia and IranOne America News1w+Senate approves Russian sanctions package 'in honor of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham'RedState1w+Senate Passes Important Bill That Was a Top Priority for the Late Lindsey GrahamThe Daily Caller1w+Senate Passes Lindsey Graham’s Neocon-Backed Bill Targeting RussiaThe Epoch Times1w+Senate Passes Bill to Impose New Sanctions on Russia and IranThe Washington Times1w+Senate passes sweeping Russia sanctions bill renamed for initial author Lindsey GrahamWall Street Journal1w+Opinion | Russia Hears From Lindsey GrahamZeroHedge1w+Senate Passes The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia & Iran Act Of 2026
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?
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