Senate passes Russia and Iran sanctions bill named for late Sen. Graham

The United States Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russia and Iran. According to reporting from NBC News, the legislation passed Friday following months of legislative delays, with the unexpected death of South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham providing the final momentum needed to clear the upper chamber.

The 61-page package, officially titled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was renamed in honor of the late senator, who spent more than a year negotiating the terms. The legislation aims to stifle the Russian economy and restrict revenues supporting the war in Ukraine, which began when President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion. As the conflict continues, it has grown longer than World War I, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune stating on the floor that the conflict stands as the largest in Europe since World War II.

Media additions

According to NBC News, Thune stated on the floor that as long as Putin has oil and gas money, he is able to continue the war, and the sanctions bill would cut that off.

The bipartisan measure advanced through the Senate with a final tally of 86-11, following an earlier procedural vote last month. The package carries provisions allowing the president to slap tariffs on products from countries that purchase the majority of Russian oil and natural gas, specifically focusing on the top importers, which include China and India. Exceptions are carved out for nations that import less than 15 percent of their natural gas from Russia while actively taking steps to reduce those shipments.

Additional measures inside the legislation expand penalties to target senior Russian political and military figures, oligarchs, family members, financial institutions, and specific energy projects. It also targets older, reflagged oil tankers utilized by Moscow to evade existing international restrictions. Following a last-minute demand from President Donald Trump, the legislation additionally extends sanction authorities meant to limit funding toward Iran’s weapons programs and energy sectors.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy watched from the Senate gallery during the initial procedural votes, having traveled to Washington to meet with lawmakers from both parties following Graham's funeral. Zelenskyy told senators during a private Capitol meeting that while Ukraine is making battlefield gains, continued U.S. Assistance remains essential. Sen. Richard Blumenthal noted the moment from the Senate floor, stating that Zelenskyy was watching from Ukraine and Putin from Moscow, while delivering a message to the people of Ukraine and to Vladimir Putin, as reported by the Associated Press via Pbs.

The late senator's sister and appointed successor, Sen. Darline Graham, addressed the chamber prior to the vote, emphasizing her late brother's commitment to foreign policy and peacebuilding. According to Boise State Public Radio, she stated that her late brother was a foreign policy and national security expert as well as a peacemaker determined to bring an end to the conflict, adding that the legislation hits Putin where it hurts.

Despite the overwhelming final tally, the legislation faced sharp division over executive authority. A coalition of progressive Democrats alongside Sen. Rand Paul and Sen. Ron Wyden criticized the bill for granting Trump expansive new powers to levy tariffs, warning of potential inflation and heightened living costs for American consumers navigating a tight economy. The Senate defeated an amendment from Paul and Wyden intended to strip out the tariff authorities.

Sen. Raphael Warnock, who previously delayed the package over tariff concerns, announced he received written assurances from the Trump administration via U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. These guardrails ensure tariffs will lift once nations drop off lists associated with purchasing Russian energy or evading sanctions. Warnock stated that lawmakers should not have to choose between putting a check on Putin's aggression and putting a check on the president's tariff regime, adding that if Trump oversteps his powers, litigation will follow.

Legislative timeline and next steps

• July 10, 2026: Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Richard Blumenthal announce a negotiated sanctions deal with the White House.
• July 11, 2026: Sen. Lindsey Graham dies unexpectedly, likely from an aortic tear, shortly after returning from a trip to Ukraine.
• Late July 2026: The Senate advances the package procedurally by an 86-12 vote, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy observing from the gallery.
• August 7, 2026: The Senate officially passes the newly renamed Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by an 86-11 margin.

The measure now advances to the Republican-controlled House, where it encounters an uncertain schedule. House Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled support for the legislation, though narrow margins mean leadership will have little room for error given opposition from certain House Democrats wary of tariff expansions.