US Senate passes sweeping Russia and Iran sanctions bill 86-11, House vote set for September

Senate vote

The U.S. Senate voted 86 to 11 on Friday, August 7, to pass the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026," a 61-page measure targeting Russia's energy revenues and expanding sanctions to Iran. Only one Senate Republican, Rand Paul of Kentucky, voted against the bill. The chamber erupted into applause after Darline Graham, the late Senator Lindsey Graham's sister appointed to fill his seat, read out the final tally. The vote capped more than a year and a half of negotiations since the bill was first introduced on April 1, 2025, during which even supportive lawmakers doubted its prospects. Before final passage, the Senate rejected an amendment sponsored by Paul and Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon that would have stripped the tariff powers from the bill.

What the bill does

The legislation sanctions Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, financial institutions, and the so-called "shadow fleet" used to circumvent oil export restrictions. It authorizes President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India, as well as on countries that help circumvent existing energy sanctions. A separate provision allows tariffs of up to 500% on Russian imports, including oil and gas. Exceptions apply to countries that receive less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and are taking steps to reduce imports. The bill also extends sanctions to Iran's armaments and energy sectors, following a last-minute request from Trump.

Graham's legacy

The bill is named after Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), who died on July 11 from a heart condition, shortly after returning from a trip to Ukraine. Graham had championed the measure for over a year, and shortly before his death he announced an agreement with the White House on a modified version. Senate leaders had previously declined to bring the bill to a vote due to resistance from Trump, who had kept sanctions decisions in the White House since starting his second term in January 2025.

Reactions and concerns

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James Risch (R-Idaho) said on the Senate floor that the bill would "cut off the flow of cash that powers Putin's war machine." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) said the bill would send "an unmistakable message to Moscow that America will back Ukraine to the hilt." Supporters argue the financial penalties, combined with Ukraine's recent success in striking deep into Russia, could push Putin to seek a negotiated settlement to the conflict, now in its fifth year. The Russian embassy in Washington condemned the bill, calling it "a disservice to the current US administration."

Increasing taxes on Americans will not end Putin's war in Ukraine.

House prospects

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, where lawmakers have already left Washington for the August recess and a vote is not expected before September. Some House Democrats who support Ukraine have said they will oppose the legislation, arguing it grants Trump excessive tariff authority. Rep. Gregory Meeks (New York), the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called the bill a "Trojan horse." Republicans hold slim majorities in both chambers, and it remains unclear whether opposition from some Democrats will be deep enough to halt the bill.