Senate Passes Bipartisan Sanctions Bill Targeting Russian Oil Buyers

The US Senate has passed a bipartisan sanctions bill targeting major buyers of Russian and Iranian oil. The measure, known as the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, aims to restrict countries that purchase significant volumes of Russian fuel or help Russia evade sanctions.

The bill, which has 62 co-sponsors, allows the President to impose primary and secondary sanctions on Russia and those supporting its war in Ukraine. It also grants the President authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India.

The legislation extends the Iran Sanctions Act for five more years, keeping secondary restrictions in place until 2031. However, the bill may face resistance in the House, where some Democrats oppose expanding President Trump's tariff powers.