WASHINGTON, AUG 8 (PTI): The US Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill to punish Russia and major buyers of its petroleum products, including China and India, arguing that such trade helps fund the Ukraine war.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was passed by an 86-11 vote. It allows President Donald Trump to impose 100 per cent tariffs on goods from countries among the top five importers of Russian oil and gas. The five currently are China, India, Azerbaijan, Hungary and Slovakia.
The bipartisan measure, championed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal, also extends until 2031 the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, which penalises companies investing in Iran’s energy sector.
The bill seeks sanctions against Russian leaders and officials, including President Vladimir Putin, oligarchs and financial institutions.
Graham died on July 11 after a trip to Kyiv. His sister, Darline Graham, who was appointed to his Senate seat, said the legislation would force countries supporting Russia’s economy to choose between doing business with the US and buying Russian energy.
Blumenthal said Graham would be “proud” of the Senate’s action, calling the measures “sledgehammer sanctions and tariffs”.
However, some Democrats warned the bill would grant Trump sweeping tariff powers. Congressmen Gregory Meeks and Don Beyer said the measure could be “weaponised” and worsen trade tensions.
The bill now goes to the House of Representatives, which is scheduled to reconvene on August 31.
Sunday, August 9, 2026