Senate Moves on Russia-Iran Sanctions Bill
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- Senate begins procedural steps toward a vote on a Russia-Iran sanctions package Tuesday night, coinciding with Ukrainian President Zelensky’s visit for Sen. Graham’s funeral.
- Sen. Richard Blumenthal and bipartisan co-sponsors announced a deal combining sanctions on Russian oil purchasers with extended restrictions on Iran’s energy and weapons programs.
- The sanctions bill targets Russian officials, oligarchs, their families, banks, financial institutions, and the Russian shadow fleet to cut off war funding.
- The legislation grants the president new authority to impose tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil or gas and the top five enablers of sanctions evasion.
- The lawmakers stated the combined Russia-Iran package honors Sen. Lindsey Graham’s legacy, referencing his recent return from Ukraine before his death.
Why it matters: By linking Russia and Iran sanctions, lawmakers clear a path for swift action that pressures Moscow’s oil revenue—its war lifeline—while constraining Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. The timing leverages a moment of political unity, turning a memorial into a legislative catalyst with tangible economic tools targeting two U.S. adversaries simultaneously.
