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Senate greenlights Russia sanctions bill in Lindsey Graham's honor
USA Today • • general
Key Points:
- The U.S. Senate voted 86-12 to advance the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, a bipartisan Russia sanctions package named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
- The bill grants the president authority to impose new sanctions on Russian officials, financial institutions, and energy imports, including tariffs of up to 500% on Russian goods and 100% on major buyers of Russian energy.
- Graham's sister, Darline Graham, who was appointed to fill his Senate seat, is a lead sponsor, emphasizing the legislation as a way to honor his legacy and support Ukraine amid Russia's ongoing invasion.
- Some Democrats opposed the bill over concerns that it delegates excessive tariff authority to the executive branch, while the White House confirmed former President Trump supports the legislation.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended Graham's funeral and a bipartisan Senate meeting, underscoring the ongoing U.S. commitment to Ukraine during its war with Russia.
