Senate Moves Toward Sanctions Against Russia and Iran

The Senate recently made progress in imposing sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin, and Iran. A bipartisan vote advanced the longstanding effort to pass the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. Despite not being the final vote, this step signifies a significant milestone.

The chamber aims to finalize its work on the sanction package by next week. If successful, the legislation will await further action until the House resumes its sessions after the August break.

Honoring the Late Sen. Lindsey Graham

Sen. Lindsey Graham’s contributions were highlighted during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address in February 2026. Sen. Roger Wicker described the sanctions package as potentially Graham’s greatest legislative success over his 32-year career. Lawmakers aim to honor Graham’s legacy by advancing this bill.

Sanctions Focus and Structure

The bill targets Putin’s military capabilities in Ukraine and reinstates sanctions on Iran’s weapons and energy sectors to encourage peace in the Middle East. Key provisions include up to 500% tariffs on Russian imports and 100% tariffs on countries importing Russian energy, including China and India. This structure allows future flexibility for the U.S. president regarding certain sanctions.

Debate Among Lawmakers

Some Democrats expressed concerns about granting tariff authority, given past criticisms of President Trump’s use of duties. However, supporters of the bill, assisted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, sought to sway skeptical voters by emphasizing the bill’s intent to pressure Putin and curtail his actions in Ukraine.

Senate’s Strong Message

“Your days of war are numbered,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, emphasizing the bill’s message to Putin. He called for ending the conflict to avoid further loss, economic decline, and global isolation.

Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital focused on U.S. Senate coverage.