US Senate Passes Bill for Sweeping Sanctions on Russia and 100% Tariffs.
The US Senate has overwhelmingly passed a bill proposed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina that would impose sweeping sanctions on Russia and authorize steep tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas.
Reuters reported on Friday, August 7, that the measure passed the Senate by a vote of 86 to 11. The bill will now be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration and a vote. If approved, it would then be sent to US President Donald Trump to be signed into law.
Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly last month, was a staunch supporter of Ukraine in Congress and a strong critic of Russia. He proposed the legislation with the aim of increasing economic pressure on Moscow and restricting revenue generated from Russia’s energy exports.
The bill, titled the “Lindsey O. Graham Russia and Iran Sanctions Act of 2026,” includes a broad package of sanctions targeting Russia’s oil and gas sectors, as well as a number of Russian officials. If enacted, the legislation could significantly increase economic pressure on the Russian government.
Under the bill, the United States could also impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods imported from countries such as China, India, Japan, and some European Union member states that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas. The stated goal of the measure is to reduce these countries’ dependence on Russian energy.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Washington welcomed the Senate’s approval of the bill, describing it as a “timely and important step.” Ukrainian officials have long called for increased economic pressure on Russia and for measures to restrict the country’s revenues from energy exports.
However, Reuters reported that the bill’s prospects in the House of Representatives remain uncertain and that it could face opposition. Some lawmakers and representatives of US industries are concerned that the broad new tariff powers provided under the legislation could increase the cost of imports and ultimately place additional pressure on American consumers.
Democratic Representatives Gregory Meeks of New York and Don Beyer of Virginia said in a joint statement that they continue to have “serious concerns” about the tariff authorities envisioned in the bill. They said the legislation would grant the president broad new powers that could be used extensively.
Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who voted against the bill, has also opposed its tariff provisions. He compared potential tariffs of up to 100 percent on buyers of Russian oil and gas to a form of “tax on American consumers” and warned about their potential economic consequences.
Lindsey Graham was an ally of Donald Trump and a staunch opponent of Russia and Iran. He died suddenly last month, with heart problems reported as the cause of death. Following his death, his sister, Darlene Graham, was appointed by Donald Trump to serve as his successor in the US Senate.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
