WASHINGTON — On Friday, August 7th, 2026, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, named in honor of the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. The bill is designed to impose sanctions on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, with additional measures targeting Russian leaders, their families, and oligarchs.

The legislation also authorizes targeted tariffs on products from the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) emphasized that the bill aims to protect Ukraine against Russian aggression, noting, “Ukraine is now the largest conflict, literally, since World War II in Europe,” and praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people in striving to end the war.

Following a last-minute request from former President Donald Trump, the bill extends sanction authority to limit funding toward Iran’s weapons and energy sectors. The senators reached an agreement on July 28th, less than two weeks after Graham’s unexpected death, calling the legislation “no greater way to honor” the South Carolinian’s legacy.

The senators issued a joint statement saying, “We are proud to announce an agreement on legislation to stop purchasers of Russian oil and gas from fueling Putin’s war machine and to continue restricting the Iranian regime’s ability to support terrorism and build its nuclear program.” The bill’s passage was nearly assured after the Senate voted 86-12 to advance it procedurally last month.

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