Senate Passes Graham's Russia Sanctions Bill 86-11
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- Senate passed the bipartisan Russia sanctions bill 86-11 on Friday, designed to sanction top Russian leaders and penalize nations that purchase Russian oil and natural gas.
- Lindsey Graham championed the legislation and announced a White House deal to support it shortly before his unexpected death last month at 71, after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in those final days.
- The bill imposes tariffs of up to 100% on major Russian energy buyers such as China and India, grants Trump new tariff authority, and extends existing sanctions against Iran.
- Sen. Darline Graham, Lindsey's sister who was appointed to finish his Senate term, said on the floor that the bill 'hits Putin where it hurts' by cutting off the energy revenue funding the Ukraine war.
- President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson have signaled support, but the legislation still needs House passage, where some Democrats have voiced opposition over concerns about expanding Trump's tariff authority.
Why it matters: The bill materially raises the cost of sustaining Russia's Ukraine war by threatening tariffs of up to 100% on major Russian energy buyers like China and India. But it faces a real House hurdle: Democrats wary of handing Trump new tariff authority.
