Senate clears Russia sanctions bill, House next

On August 7, 2026, the U.S. Senate approved the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by a lopsided 86 to 11 vote, advancing a major sanctions package aimed at Russia. The vote capped an effort to craft a broad, bipartisan response using economic tools, with the bill now poised to move to the House of Representatives for further action. The measure was renamed in honor of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who had championed tougher penalties on Moscow.

The legislation targets Russia through expanded sanctions and trade measures, with particular emphasis on energy-related commerce. By securing support from an overwhelming majority of senators, the bill reflects substantial agreement in the chamber on tightening economic pressure while still embedding significant executive-branch flexibility.

A central feature of the bill is new tariff authority focused on global buyers of Russian oil and natural gas. The measure authorizes the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas. This tool is designed to raise the cost of maintaining energy trade ties with Russia for leading importers.

These tariff powers sit alongside broader sanctions authorities contained in the bill. Together, they give the executive branch a wide range of options to increase economic pressure not only on Russia itself but also on significant customers of Russian energy, depending on policy decisions taken by the White House.

The legislation also contains extensive waiver provisions. It allows the president to waive sanctions if the administration submits a written certification that the waiver is in the national interests of the United States, accompanied by a report explaining the basis for that judgment. This language gives the White House significant discretion over how and when to implement or suspend the new measures.

During Senate consideration, an amendment offered by Senators Rand Paul and Ron Wyden sought to strip the tariff language from the bill. That amendment failed on the floor by a 64 to 32 vote, preserving the new tariff authority in the final Senate-passed version. The outcome underscored majority support in the chamber for maintaining the tariff option as part of the pressure toolkit.

With Senate passage complete, the sanctions package now moves to the House of Representatives. The timing of House action was not specified in the available reports, but the chamber will need to decide whether to adopt the measure as written or seek revisions. The next steps in the House will determine the final shape of the sanctions framework and whether it reaches the president’s desk.

Even before formal House consideration begins, some House Democrats signaled concerns. Gregory Meeks, the ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Representative Don Beyer released a joint statement calling the current bill text unacceptable. They cited in particular the broad waiver authority and the tariff powers granted to the White House, indicating that efforts may emerge in the House to narrow or adjust those provisions before any final vote.