Senators Rally to Russia Sanctions Bill, One of Late Graham’s Top Priorities/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Senators are renewing efforts to pass a major Russia sanctions bill championed by Lindsey Graham. The revised legislation targets leading buyers of Russian energy while giving the president waiver authority. Lawmakers say passage could become a defining part of Graham’s Senate legacy.
Russia Sanctions Bill Quick Looks
- Senators are pushing to advance a Russia sanctions bill championed by Lindsey Graham.
- The effort gained urgency following Graham’s death.
- The measure targets countries purchasing large amounts of Russian oil and natural gas.
- China and India are among the leading Russian energy buyers targeted.
- Proposed tariffs were reduced from 500% to a maximum of 100%.
- Certain countries reducing their reliance on Russian energy could receive exceptions.
- The bill would impose sanctions on Vladimir Putin and senior Russian officials.
- Russian financial institutions and energy projects would also face sanctions.
- Russia’s reflagged “shadow fleet” oil tankers could be targeted.
- Graham discussed the legislation with President Donald Trump shortly before his death.
- Some senators support naming the sanctions legislation after Graham.
- The measure has support from more than two dozen senators.
- Lawmakers say bipartisan support for the bill continues to grow.
Deep Look
Russia Sanctions Bill Gains Momentum After Lindsey Graham’s Death
WASHINGTON — A sweeping Russia sanctions bill championed by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham is gaining renewed momentum in the Senate as lawmakers seek to honor the South Carolina Republican and complete one of his top foreign policy priorities.
Supporters of Ukraine have worked for more than a year to advance legislation designed to cut into Russia’s energy revenues and reduce the money available to finance its war against Ukraine.
Senators unveiled a revised version of the sanctions proposal Tuesday.
The new measure attempts to address concerns raised by lawmakers and the White House while preserving the legislation’s central objective: imposing major economic consequences on countries that continue buying large amounts of Russian oil and natural gas.
Graham played a leading role in building bipartisan support for the bill.
His sudden death Saturday came just before senators formally unveiled the revised proposal.
Now, Graham’s colleagues are moving with a new sense of urgency.
Some lawmakers have suggested naming the legislation after Graham, arguing that passage of the Russia sanctions bill would become an important part of his Senate legacy.
Revised Russia Sanctions Bill Targets Top Energy Buyers
The original sanctions proposal generated concerns because of its broad economic reach.
Some lawmakers worried that sweeping penalties could damage the economies of important U.S. allies.
Several countries that have supported Ukraine continue to import Russian energy products, creating concerns that the original legislation could unintentionally punish American partners.
The Trump administration also wanted President Donald Trump to maintain sufficient authority to waive sanctions when doing so serves the national interest.
Senators revised the bill in an attempt to address both concerns.
According to a summary of the legislation, the proposed tariffs would now primarily apply to the world’s five largest purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas.
Sponsors said China and India are at the top of that list.
The revised measure also significantly reduces the proposed tariff level.
The original bill called for blanket tariffs of 500%.
Under the new proposal, tariffs could reach up to 100%.
While still substantial, the lower tariff ceiling is intended to make the legislation more targeted and politically workable.
Countries Reducing Russian Energy Imports Could Receive Exceptions
The revised Russia sanctions bill also creates exceptions for certain countries.
Nations that receive less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and are actively working to reduce those imports could avoid some penalties.
Supporters believe the provision will protect countries making genuine efforts to move away from Russian energy.
The changes reflect a broader effort to focus economic pressure on the countries providing Moscow with its largest sources of energy revenue.
Russia has continued to rely heavily on oil and natural gas exports to generate income during its war against Ukraine.
Lawmakers supporting the bill argue that reducing those revenues could limit the Kremlin’s ability to finance military operations.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said Russia can continue funding its military as long as buyers keep purchasing its oil and gas.
Supporters say the legislation would make clear that major Russian energy purchases carry significant economic costs.
Sanctions Would Target Putin and Russian Institutions
The legislation goes beyond tariffs on countries buying Russian energy.
The bill would also impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Senior Russian political and military leaders would face additional economic restrictions.
Russian financial institutions and major energy projects could also be targeted.
Another major provision focuses on older oil tankers used by Russia to evade existing sanctions.
Russia has relied on fleets of aging vessels, often operating under different flags, to move oil and circumvent restrictions on its energy industry.
The revised legislation would expand U.S. sanctions to target those ships.
Western governments have increasingly focused on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet as part of efforts to limit Moscow’s ability to sell oil.
By targeting tankers, financial institutions and energy projects, senators hope to create several layers of economic pressure.
Graham Made Progress With Trump Before His Death
On Friday, Graham and other lawmakers working on the legislation announced that significant progress had been made in discussions with the White House.
Graham died late Saturday before the revised measure was publicly unveiled.
The South Carolina senator had recently returned from a visit to Ukraine.
Shortly before his death, Graham discussed the sanctions legislation with Trump during a phone call.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, a Democrat who worked closely with Graham on the bill, said the Republican senator was extremely enthusiastic about the progress made with the White House.
Blumenthal said he had rarely heard Graham sound so excited.
Graham believed the legislation was finally approaching the point where Congress could impose sweeping economic pressure on Russia.
Senators Consider Naming Russia Sanctions Bill After Graham
Blumenthal said he would support naming the sanctions legislation after Graham.
He described the proposal as part of Graham’s political legacy.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer also urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to quickly bring the legislation to the Senate floor.
Schumer said passing the measure in Graham’s honor would also provide additional support to Ukraine.
Thune has expressed optimism that senators could find a path forward.
The Senate majority leader said passing the legislation could become an important legacy for Graham.
However, Thune also emphasized that the measure will require support from both Republicans and Democrats.
The bill currently has backing from more than two dozen senators, according to lawmakers and congressional aides.
Supporters say that number continues to grow.
House Has Passed a Different Ukraine Measure
The House approved separate Ukraine legislation last month.
That measure differs significantly from the Senate sanctions proposal.
The House bill included more than $1 billion in security and reconstruction assistance for Ukraine.
It also made another $8 billion available for Ukraine’s defense through loans.
The differences between the House and Senate proposals mean lawmakers may eventually need to negotiate a compromise if both chambers pass legislation.
The Senate bill is primarily focused on using tariffs and economic sanctions to reduce Russia’s ability to generate revenue.
Supporters believe targeting Russia’s energy customers could create more financial pressure on Moscow.
Lawmakers Want Quick Action on Russia Sanctions
Graham traveled to Ukraine shortly before his death and told officials there that major new sanctions against Russia appeared increasingly possible.
He told reporters that hard-hitting economic penalties were finally within reach.
Graham planned to return to Washington and work with bipartisan congressional leaders to move the proposal forward.
Senators from both parties said Graham had done more than any other lawmaker to advance the sanctions legislation.
Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama said Graham was overjoyed when Trump gave his approval to continue moving forward.
Britt said Graham viewed the sanctions proposal as one of the most consequential initiatives he had pursued.
Supporters argue the legislation could directly affect Russia’s ability to continue its war.
Senators Say Russian Energy Revenue Fuels War
The war between Russia and Ukraine has produced enormous human and economic costs.
Senators supporting the sanctions bill argue that Moscow’s ability to sell energy remains one of the biggest obstacles to increasing pressure on the Kremlin.
Russia continues earning revenue through international sales of oil and natural gas.
China and India have emerged as major purchasers of Russian energy.
The legislation is designed to force large buyers to consider the economic consequences of continuing those purchases.
Supporters believe tariffs of up to 100% could create significant pressure on governments and businesses that maintain major Russian energy relationships.
The proposal would also give Trump flexibility to issue waivers when national security or economic considerations require them.
That presidential authority helped address concerns raised by the White House.
Russia Sanctions Vote Could Come With Bipartisan Support
It remains unclear when the Senate will vote on the Russia sanctions bill.
Blumenthal said Thune has indicated that he is prepared to move the legislation when supporters demonstrate that they have enough votes.
Blumenthal believes the votes are already available.
The measure’s growing bipartisan support could increase pressure on Senate leaders to schedule floor action.
Graham spent his final days in the Senate pushing to complete the legislation.
His death has transformed the debate around the bill, giving colleagues an additional reason to act quickly.
For supporters of Ukraine, the proposal represents an opportunity to increase pressure on Russia’s economy and limit the energy revenue supporting its military.
For Graham’s Senate colleagues, passage would also honor a lawmaker who made confronting Russia one of his final major legislative priorities.
The coming days could determine whether Graham’s long campaign for tougher Russia sanctions becomes law — and a lasting part of his legacy in Congress.
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