Lindsey Graham’s Russia sanctions bill moves forward with Trump backing

Senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly on July 11 after returning from a visit to Kyiv. The bipartisan "Sanctioning Russia Act" he championed – a 60‑page package that imposes mandatory sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, state firms, the shadow tanker fleet and the energy sector – has been revised and re‑introduced in his memory.

The revised bill reduces the proposed tariff ceiling from a blanket 500 % to a maximum of 100 % on the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas, naming China, India, Slovakia, Hungary and Azerbaijan, while granting a waiver for countries that import less than 15 % of Russian gas and are cutting those imports. It also expands presidential authority to waive penalties for national‑security reasons.

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters the legislation has a "good chance" of passage and hinted it could be broadened to include Iran and Hezbollah. Senate leaders, including Majority Leader John Thune, Majority Whip Chuck Grassley and Democratic co‑sponsor Richard Blumenthal, urged a swift vote, calling the bill Graham’s "greatest achievement" and a fitting tribute.

If enacted, the bill would aim to choke off revenue that funds Russia’s war in Ukraine, while the tariff provisions could pressure major energy‑importing nations and reshape global trade flows.