Senators rally to Russia sanctions bill, one of Graham's top priorities
[July 15, 2026]
By KEVIN FREKING
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Lindsey Graham's pursuit of a Russia sanctions
bill has taken on renewed urgency after his death as colleagues look to
pay tribute and build on the progress he made in gaining the White
House's support for the measure.
Supporters of Ukraine have been working for more than a year to pass a
bill that would impose steep tariffs on goods from countries that
continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports. They unveiled a
revised measure Tuesday with the goal of depriving Russia of money it
uses to fund its war against Ukraine.
Some lawmakers worried the original bill was too broad and could harm
the economies of some of the U.S.'s strongest allies that have also
helped Ukraine. The White House wanted to ensure the president had
adequate flexibility to waive sanctions when it is the national interest
to do so. The revised bill attempts to address both concerns.
The final bill more narrowly applies the tariffs to the world's top five
purchasers of Russia oil or natural gas, according to a summary. China
and India are at the top of that list, sponsors said. It also
dramatically reduces the tariffs from a blanket 500% to up to 100%, and
it provides exceptions for countries that import less than 15% of their
natural gas from Russia and are taking steps to reduce those imports.
The bill also includes sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin,
senior Russian political and military leaders, and Russian financial
institutions and energy projects. It would also expand U.S. sanctions to
target older, reflagged oil tankers that Russia uses to circumvent
existing U.S. sanctions on Russian oil and energy revenues.
Graham said he was making progress with Trump
Graham and colleagues who had been working on the legislation issued a
statement Friday announcing that significant progress had been made in
talks with the Trump administration. The senator passed away late
Saturday before the revised bill could be unveiled.
Graham had just returned from Ukraine and discussed the sanctions bill
with President Donald Trump in a call shortly before his death.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who was working with Graham on the
legislation, said he would be in favor of naming the bill after Graham.
“It's part of his legacy,” Blumenthal said.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called Monday on Senate Majority
Leader John Thune to bring the sanctions bill to the floor immediately
“in honor of Lindsey,” saying “it will pass overwhelmingly and help our
allies in Ukraine.”
Thune said he was “hopeful we can make that happen."
“It would certainly be an incredible legacy for him if, in fact, we can
find a path forward. It’ll take Democrats and Republicans here in the
Senate to do that,” Thune said on CNN.
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The U.S. flag flies at half-staff at the Capitol in Washington,
Monday, July 13, 2026, after the sudden death of prominent
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. (AP Photo/Mariam
Zuhaib)
The bill has support from more than two dozen senators so far and
aides said the list was growing. The House passed a much different
bill last month that included more than $1 billion in security and
reconstruction aid for Ukraine as well as making another $8 billion
available for Ukraine’s defense through loans.
Blumenthal said he spoke with Graham last week about the progress he
had made in talks with the White House.
“He was absolutely ecstatic. You know, I’ve never heard him quite as
exuberant.”
Lawmakers want to act quickly
Graham traveled to Ukraine last week and offered the country reason
to be optimistic, telling reporters that sweeping, hard-hitting new
economic sanctions against Russia were finally within reach. He said
he would be heading back to Washington to meet with bipartisan
leaders to advance the proposal.
Lawmakers said no one had done more to advance the sanctions bill
than Graham. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., said Graham was overjoyed
when Trump gave the nod to move forward.
“He did a lot of big things, but this one he believed would have the
largest impact, would make the biggest difference,” Britt said.
Senators said the war has generated a heavy human and economic cost
for both nations, but Ukraine has momentum on its side.
“Unfortunately, if the Kremlin is able to fund its war machine
through the sale of oil and gas, it's going to be able to keep
going, and that's what this bill is going to do," said Sen. Jeanne
Shaheen, D-N.H. "It's going to stop those purchases. It's going to
make clear those purchases come with real costs."
It's unclear when the bill will come up for a vote in the Senate,
but Blumenthal said Thune has made clear he's ready to move “when we
have the votes.”
“And I think we have the votes,” Blumenthal said.
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