Senate Passes Graham Act to Sanction Russia and Iran

The United States Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 in an 86-11 bipartisan vote on Friday. The legislation targets the Russian energy sector to cripple its economy and cut off funding for the war in Ukraine.

Donald Trump is authorized under the bill to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, as well as the top five countries aiding in sanctions evasion. The act further allows for a 500% blanket tariff on all Russian imports and extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 through 2031.

Supporters of the bill, including Senator Richard Blumenthal and Senator Lindsey Graham, argued the measures would directly impact the Russian leadership. However, the legislation faced criticism from Senator Rand Paul and some Democrats, who warned that the bill grants the president excessive tariff authority. The White House negotiated broad waivers to provide the president with discretion over the implementation of these tariffs.

The measure now moves to the House of Representatives, which is expected to consider the bill after the summer break on August 31.