Key facts
- The Senate passed the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" with an 86-11 vote.
- The bill aims to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
- Expanded sanctions on Iran are included in the legislation.
- The bill grants the White House authority to impose 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil.
- Countries aiding sanctions evasion are also subject to potential tariffs.
- An amendment to strip tariff language failed in a 64-32 vote.
The U.S. Senate has passed a bill imposing new sanctions on Russia, which includes controversial provisions granting the White House broad authority to issue tariffs. The measure, titled the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026," passed with an 86-11 vote and aims to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, while also including expanded sanctions on Iran.
An amendment proposed by Senators Rand Paul and Ron Wyden to remove these tariff powers entirely failed in a floor vote, with 32 senators voting in favor of the amendment. This outcome highlighted concerns among some Democrats about expanding the executive branch's tariff authority.
Lawmakers had threatened to block the bill's expedited passage due to disagreements over which amendments would receive a floor vote. Senator Raphael Warnock, alongside Senator Bill Cassidy, had proposed an amendment to limit the tariff powers. Warnock ultimately withdrew his amendment after receiving assurances from the Trump administration regarding a clear mechanism for countries to exit tariff measures.
Despite this concession, concerns persist, particularly among House Democrats. Representative Richard Neal, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, previously stated that granting extensive new tariff powers to the White House is 'extremely dangerous.'