The US Senate has approved a bill imposing sanctions on Russia named after late Senator Lindsey Graham

The US Senate on Friday overwhelmingly approved a sweeping bill of sanctions on Russia, named in honor of the late US Senator Lindsey Graham. The law will impose mandatory sanctions on Russian authorities and impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries that buy Russian oil and gas. The move was approved with bipartisan support by a margin of 86-11 votes. It will now be sent to the House of Representatives, whose action has been delayed until September. The bill will impose sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior government officials, as well as Russian oligarchs, government entities, and foreign companies that support Russia's defense industry.

It will allow tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, including China and India. US Trade Representative Jameson Greer will determine the final tariff rates. The law exempts countries that account for less than 15 percent of Russia's total natural gas exports and are taking concrete steps to reduce their dependence on Russian gas.

Republican leader Lindsey Graham, who played a central role in negotiating the legislation for over a year, had announced a major breakthrough in talks with the administration and other Senate supporters during a visit to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, just before his death. His death prompted lawmakers from both parties to pass the measure as a lasting part of his legislative legacy.

Chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, Roger Wicker, said shortly after Mr. Graham's death, "This is his greatest achievement." The Senate's first procedural vote on the bill came just after Mr. Graham's funeral in Washington. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who attended the funeral, met with senators in the capital and watched the voting from the Senate gallery.

The bill has undergone significant changes since it was first introduced in April 2025. The original proposal called for a minimum tariff of at least 500 percent and included fewer exemptions. After more than 15 months of negotiations, lawmakers and the administration agreed on a lower tariff, giving Mr. Jameson Greer the authority to implement it, rather than giving the president direct authority. Some senators had objected to expanding the administration's tariff powers, citing concerns about the use of tariffs by US President Donald Trump.

A key Democratic supporter of the bill, Senator Richard Blumenthal, defended the provision, saying it is narrow and clear and that legislation is necessary to increase economic pressure on Russia. An amendment to change the tariff provisions failed in the Senate. Furthermore, Senator Raphael Warnock proposed a separate condition that would impose duties on countries that are outside the top five buyers.

CNN reported that he withdrew his proposal after Trade Representative Jameson Greer agreed to the change in writing. Approval of the bill in the House is uncertain. It is unlikely to be considered by the House until lawmakers return from recess.