The death of Sen. Lindsey Graham has given new urgency to a Russia sanctions bill he spent more than a year fighting to pass, with fellow lawmakers now rallying behind the measure as a tribute to his work and the progress he made in securing White House backing.
Supporters of Ukraine unveiled a revised version of the legislation Tuesday, designed to cut off a key source of revenue Russia uses to finance its ongoing war against Ukraine. The bill would impose heavy tariffs on goods from countries that continue purchasing Russian oil, natural gas, and other exports.
The original bill faced criticism from some lawmakers who felt it was too sweeping and could hurt the economies of close U.S. allies who have also supported Ukraine. The White House also sought assurances that the president would have enough flexibility to waive sanctions when doing so served the national interest. The updated version of the bill was crafted to address both of those concerns.
Under the revised legislation, steep tariffs would apply more narrowly — targeting only the world’s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas. Sponsors said China and India lead that list. The maximum tariff rate was also significantly reduced, dropping from a blanket 500% down to up to 100%. Countries that import less than 15% of their natural gas from Russia and are actively working to reduce those imports would be eligible for exceptions.
The bill also includes direct sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military figures, and Russian financial institutions and energy projects. It would additionally expand U.S. sanctions to go after older, reflagged oil tankers that Russia has been using to get around existing American sanctions on its oil and energy revenue.
Graham and his fellow sponsors released a statement last Friday announcing that major progress had been achieved in negotiations with the Trump administration. Graham passed away late Saturday, before the updated bill could be publicly introduced. He had just returned from a trip to Ukraine and had spoken with President Donald Trump by phone about the sanctions measure shortly before his death.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who was a partner with Graham on the legislation, said he would support naming the bill in Graham’s honor. “It’s part of his legacy,” Blumenthal said.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune Monday to bring the bill to the floor right away “in honor of Lindsey,” saying “it will pass overwhelmingly and help our allies in Ukraine.”
Thune expressed optimism, saying he was “hopeful we can make that happen.” Speaking on CNN, Thune added, “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.”
More than two dozen senators have already signed on in support of the bill, and aides said that number was continuing to grow. The House passed a significantly different version of the bill last month, which included more than $1 billion in security and reconstruction assistance for Ukraine, along with another $8 billion made available through loans for Ukraine’s defense.
Blumenthal recalled speaking with Graham last week about the headway he had made in White House talks. “He was absolutely ecstatic. You know, I’ve never heard him quite as exuberant,” Blumenthal said.
During his visit to Ukraine last week, Graham told reporters that broad, powerful new economic sanctions against Russia were finally within reach, and said he planned to return to Washington to work with bipartisan leaders to move the proposal forward.
Colleagues said no one had done more to push the sanctions bill ahead than Graham. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., said Graham was overjoyed when Trump gave the green light to proceed. “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 noted that the war has taken a severe human and economic toll on both countries, but said Ukraine currently has momentum. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., stressed the importance of cutting off Russia’s funding. “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,” she said. “It’s going to stop those purchases. It’s going to make clear those purchases come with real costs.”
The exact timing of a Senate vote remains uncertain, but Blumenthal said Thune has indicated he is prepared to move “when we have the votes.” Blumenthal added, “And I think we have the votes.”
