Senate Passes Sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill with 86-12 Vote
The US Senate has approved a sweeping Russia sanctions bill with an 86-12 vote, marking one of the most aggressive economic pressure campaigns against Moscow since the war in Ukraine began.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 targets Russian energy exports, imposing a tariff mechanism that can reach 200% on the largest buyers of oil and natural gas. China and India are among those most exposed, having absorbed the bulk of Russian energy exports since Western buyers stepped back following the 2022 invasion.
The bill also extends existing US sanctions on Iran through 2031, reflecting Congress's view that the Russia-Iran military relationship is durable enough to warrant locking in the sanctions framework for another five years. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was present in the chamber for the vote, calling the bill 'very important' for signaling continued American commitment to Europe and Ukraine.