The US Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Russia Sanctions Act of 2026, a bill containing sweeping new sanctions against Russia, by a vote of 86-12 and sent it to the House of Representatives.
The bill, named after Senator Lindsey Graham, who died last week and was known for his strong support for Ukraine, introduces new sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, more than 20 senior officials and defense industry companies. It also targets Russia's "shadow fleet," which it uses to circumvent sanctions on its energy exports, as well as the network supporting it.
What does the bill include?
The bill grants the US president broad powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Under the legislation, the president could impose tariffs of up to 100% on the US exports of the five largest buyers from countries purchasing Russian energy or military equipment, or helping to circumvent sanctions. Imports made directly from Russia could also face tariffs of up to 500%. The US imported $3.8 billion worth of goods from Russia in 2025.
Which countries are targeted?
According to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), China, India and Türkiye are among the largest buyers of Russian energy. These countries stand out as potential targets of the bill.
Even Pay of Beijing-based consultancy Trivium China told Al Jazeera that the US could suspend the tariffs ahead of Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping this year. Pay said, "If enacted, this legislation will give Trump something he has wanted for a long time: congressional authorization to impose high tariffs on China, along with the few other countries that import Russian oil."
India, meanwhile, is facing difficulties because efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian energy have been disrupted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Maia Nikoladze of the Atlantic Council said India had received a sanctions waiver from the US to continue purchasing Russian oil temporarily and could seek similar waivers in the future.
Criticism and uncertainties
The bill has drawn criticism from figures including Senator Maggie Hassan. Hassan said she supported sanctions against Russia but argued that tariffs whose costs would be borne by American businesses and consumers would not help Ukraine. The US Chamber of Commerce is also opposing the bill on similar grounds.
David Smith of the University of Sydney's US Studies Centre told Al Jazeera that Trump's previous tariffs had been struck down by the Supreme Court, but that this bill could be on firmer legal ground because it is based on IEEPA. Smith said, "This appears to be new legislation that would legally expand Trump's authority to impose tariffs."
Trump, meanwhile, ordered that the bill be amended to include Iran. Analysts say the addition could reduce Democratic support and delay the bill's passage into law. Since the House of Representatives is currently on its summer recess, discussions are expected to be postponed for some time.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy watched the Senate vote from the gallery in Washington, where he was attending Graham's funeral, and welcomed the result. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said, "This is the first step toward implementing Lindsey's plans and certainly a step toward peace."
