The Media Line: Senate Passes Lindsey Graham Sanctions Bill Targeting Russia, Iran  

Senate Passes Lindsey Graham Sanctions Bill Targeting Russia, Iran  

By The Media Line Staff  

The US Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia and Iran, passing a bill named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham that targets major buyers of Russian oil and gas while expanding economic restrictions on Tehran.  

Senators approved the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 in an 86-11 vote. Graham had championed the legislation during his final days in the Senate.  

The measure would penalize major purchasers of Russian oil and gas and impose additional sanctions on Russian leaders, their family members and oligarchs. It also mandates targeted tariffs on goods from countries responsible for the largest purchases of Russian energy, with the provision applying to the five biggest importers. The legislation would separately expand sanctions against Iran, a move supported by President Donald Trump.  

After it was initially introduced in 2025, the bill was stalled for a year. Senate Republican leaders had declined to advance it because of opposition from Trump, who has sought to retain White House control over decisions involving sanctions rather than shift that authority to Congress since beginning his second term in January 2025.  

The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the legislation within weeks.  

A Senate agreement was announced Tuesday morning by Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., Graham’s sister and appointed successor, along with Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Katie Britt, R-Ala.; Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.; Roger Wicker, R-Miss.; and Jim Risch, R-Idaho. The senators reached the agreement July 28, less than two weeks after Graham’s unexpected death, saying there was “no greater way to honor” his legacy.  

“We are proud to announce an agreement on legislation to stop purchasers of Russian oil and gas from fueling Putin’s war machine and to continue restricting the Iranian regime’s ability to support terrorism and build its nuclear program,” the senators said in a joint statement.