US Senate Passes Russia and Iran Sanctions Bill With Strong Bipartisan Support

The US Senate has passed sweeping legislation targeting Russia and Iran, advancing a long-delayed measure that could impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue buying large amounts of Russian energy.

The Senate approved the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by a vote of 86-11 on Friday. The bill is named after South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent supporter of Ukraine who died last month.

The legislation seeks to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine while expanding sanctions related to Iran. It would also give President Donald Trump broad authority to impose tariffs on countries that purchase Russian oil and gas or help Moscow avoid existing sanctions.

The Ukrainian embassy in Washington welcomed the Senate vote, describing it as an important step toward increasing pressure on Russia.

The measure had been delayed for more than a year as Trump resisted efforts by lawmakers to take a larger role in sanctions policy. Graham said shortly before his death on July 11 that he and Trump had agreed to move ahead with the legislation.

Under the bill, the president could impose tariffs of as much as 100% on countries that are major buyers of Russian energy, including India, Japan and some European Union nations. The tariffs could be lifted at the president’s discretion.

The legislation limits the tariff authority to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas and the five countries identified as major contributors to efforts to evade sanctions on Russia’s energy sector.

Supporters argue that the measures would reduce Moscow’s energy revenues, which help finance its war against Ukraine. They also say the legislation represents one of the strongest opportunities available to Congress to support Kyiv through economic pressure on Russia.

However, the bill faces uncertainty in the House of Representatives, where some lawmakers have raised concerns about the potential impact of the tariff powers.

Representatives Gregory Meeks of New York and Don Beyer of Virginia said they had “fundamental concerns” about provisions granting Trump expanded authority. They warned that the president could use the powers too broadly, potentially increasing costs for US businesses and consumers.

Senator Rand Paul, the only Republican to vote against the bill, also opposed the tariff provisions, arguing that tariffs effectively function as taxes on American consumers.

The Senate rejected an amendment from Paul and Democratic Senator Ron Wyden that sought to remove the tariff powers. Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock said he had obtained a written commitment from US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to establish limits on the use of the authority.

The bill is expected to receive further consideration in the House after lawmakers return from their summer recess on August 31. Both chambers are narrowly controlled by Republicans, meaning the legislation could face political negotiations before reaching Trump’s desk.