US Senate Passes Sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill with Historic Vote
The US Senate has passed a comprehensive Russia sanctions bill with an overwhelming 86-12 vote. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 is one of the most aggressive economic pressure campaigns against Russia since the war in Ukraine began.
The centerpiece of the legislation is a tariff mechanism that can reach 200% on the largest buyers of Russian oil and natural gas, targeting China and India, which have absorbed the bulk of Russian energy exports since Western buyers stepped back following the 2022 invasion.
The bill also targets Russia's financial institutions, political elites, and oligarchs. It extends existing US sanctions on Iran through 2031, reflecting Congress' view that the Russia-Iran military relationship is durable enough to warrant locking in the sanctions framework for another five years.