Senate passes Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026

The U.S. Senate has passed legislation aimed at increasing sanctions on Russia and Iran as part of efforts to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Senate approved the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by a vote of 86-11.

U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, R-South Carolina, praised the legislation’s passage and spoke on the Senate floor before the vote.

The legislation is intended to increase pressure on Russia and strengthen President Donald Trump’s ability to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, according to Graham’s office.

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“I am pleased that the Senate has come together in a strong, bipartisan fashion,” Graham said.

What the bill would do

According to Graham’s office, the legislation would:

• Impose primary and secondary sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members, foreign individuals and Russian banks and other financial institutions.
• Allow the president to impose targeted duties of up to 100% on the top five countries importing Russian-origin crude oil, the top five countries importing Russian-origin natural gas and the top five countries facilitating Russian oil sanctions evasion.
• Impose sanctions on Russia’s so-called Shadow Fleet and foreign people or vessels used by the Russian government to evade sanctions.
• Extend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 for five years. The law is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026.

Graham said the legislation was important to her brother, Lindsey Graham, and that she was proud to continue his efforts.

“He believed this was the most consequential piece of legislation that he had ever led, and I am proud to have carried the torch to the finish line,” she said.

Graham said her brother was committed to reaching a peaceful resolution to the war and expressed confidence that the sanctions would help move that effort forward.