Senate to vote on Russia sanctions with Iran add-on
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- Senate Democrats indicated to Republicans they are prepared to vote as early as next week on a Russia sanctions package, marking a rare bipartisan breakthrough amid a year of partisan gridlock.
- President Trump demanded the legislation expand to include Iran, citing the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s intent, after the bill had already undergone two revisions since Graham’s death on July 11.
- Sen. John Thune confirmed his Republican conference is comfortable with adding expiring Iran sanctions to the bill, calling the addition noncontroversial and something 'we would do anyway.'
- Sen. Jeanne Shaheen expressed optimism about swift passage, emphasizing Ukraine’s battlefield momentum and the Kremlin’s weakening position as urgent reasons to act.
- Sen. Ron Wyden opposed the bill’s tariff-expansion mechanism, warning it gives Trump broad power to impose tariffs, though Democrats lack the votes to block the legislation.
Why it matters: The Senate’s move to bundle expiring Iran sanctions with Russia penalties gives Trump expanded tariff authority despite Democratic concerns, ensuring swift passage while converting a Ukraine-focused effort into a broader foreign policy tool with bipartisan backing.
