The Senate advanced a sweeping sanctions package against Russia on Tuesday, clearing its first major procedural hurdle just hours after lawmakers, world leaders and family members gathered in Washington to honor the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
The bipartisan legislation, renamed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, targets Moscow's primary revenue source: oil and gas sales that fund the war in Ukraine. The bill also extends sanctions authority against Iran affecting that country's weapons and energy sectors.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who co-authored the legislation alongside Republican colleagues, said the measure represents a pivotal moment for Ukraine. "The basic, core function of the bill is to stop purchases of Russian oil and gas from fueling Putin's war machine, and we're at a really pivotal time for Ukraine," Blumenthal said.
Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., Lindsey Graham's sister who succeeded him in office, helped lead negotiations on the final version. The package was revamped following Graham's death to include additional Iran sanctions while bearing her brother's name as a tribute to his fierce advocacy for Kyiv.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican backers say sanctions represent the most effective non-military means of ending conflicts. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, told Fox News Digital that his first conversation with Lindsey Graham centered on Russia sanctions.
"I know he was very passionate about this and I know that sanctions are one of the best tools we have for bringing wars to an end without having to commit any of our military," Husted said.
Conservative supporters view passing the bill as a fitting memorial to Graham, who championed Ukraine aid throughout his Senate career. The measure also includes tariffs targeting third countries, particularly China and India, that continue purchasing Russian energy at discounted rates.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic supporters frame the legislation as a critical tool to undermine Russian President Vladimir Putin's ability to sustain his invasion without direct U.S. military involvement. Blumenthal emphasized that targeting energy revenues strikes at the heart of Moscow's war funding mechanism.
The bill includes provisions giving President Donald Trump flexibility to lift certain sanctions under specified conditions, addressing concerns from some lawmakers about executive authority while preserving leverage for future negotiations with Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Washington for Graham's funeral and met with Trump and congressional leaders to advocate for the package. "First and foremost, I offered President Trump our condolences on the passing of Lindsey Graham. He was a true friend of Ukraine," Zelenskyy wrote on X.
What the Numbers Show
The legislation imposes tariffs up to 500% on imports from Russia, according to provisions in the final package. Countries continuing to purchase Russian energy face tariffs as high as 100% under the bill's secondary sanctions framework.
Targeted individuals include Putin himself along with senior Russian officials and military commanders involved in directing operations in Ukraine. The Iran provisions extend existing sanction authority designed to restrict funding to Tehran's weapons development programs.
The Senate voted to advance the measure past its first procedural obstacle, setting up potential floor consideration. Final vote timing depends on continued bipartisan support and scheduling negotiations among leadership.
The Bottom Line
The sanctions package advances as Congress seeks to deliver on Graham's final legislative priority while signaling sustained Western commitment to pressuring Moscow over Ukraine. The bill now moves toward full Senate action, where it will require additional votes to reach final passage.
Trump retains waiver authority allowing him to modify certain sanctions depending on diplomatic developments with Russia or negotiations involving other nations purchasing Russian energy. Observers say this flexibility could prove central to any eventual ceasefire talks.
Zelenskyy's visit underscored Ukraine's continued push for air defense systems, including discussions about Patriot interceptor production licenses. The sanctions vote comes as battlefield conditions in Ukraine remain fluid and international attention focuses on potential paths toward negotiated settlement.