US Senate passes Russia sanctions championed by Graham; US House next

The US Senate overwhelmingly passed the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" on Friday, with an 86-11 vote. This legislation, championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, aims to increase economic pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and includes expanded sanctions on Iran. It authorizes the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that are major consumers of Russian energy, such as China, India, and some EU nations, to reduce their dependence on Russian oil and gas. The Ukrainian embassy in Washington welcomed the passage, calling it "a timely and significant step that strengthens pressure on Russia." However, the bill faces skepticism in the House of Representatives due to concerns from some lawmakers and industries that the new tariff powers for President Trump could raise costs for US importers and consumers. House consideration is expected within weeks.