Trump Signs Sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill Named After Lindsey Graham
US President Donald Trump has signed into law a comprehensive sanctions package targeting Russian officials and key pillars of its economy, aimed at punishing and pressuring Moscow for its ongoing war against Ukraine. The measure is a final legacy item for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who had just returned from Ukraine when he unexpectedly died in July.
The bill, drafted by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., sanctions Russian officials, banks, and a shadow fleet of tankers that keeps Russian energy moving. It also directs Trump to impose up to 100% tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with an exception for countries that import less than 15% of Russia's natural gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce those imports.
The bill passed with large bipartisan margins: 86-11 in the Senate and 262-159 in the House. Despite overwhelming support on Capitol Hill, the legislation faced criticism from a vocal set of Democratic lawmakers who warned that Trump could use his new expanded tariff powers to impose fresh levies in the European Union and elsewhere.