The Senate begins voting on a bipartisan sanctions bill to handicap Russia's war effort and penalize oil purchasers.
The Senate began the first steps toward passage of a sweeping Russian sanctions bill on Tuesday, aiming to penalize countries that continue to purchase Russian oil and gas. The legislation, named for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, combines sanctions on Russia and Iran to target Russian President Vladimir Putin's war machine and restrict the Iranian regime's ability to support terrorism. Senator Richard Blumenthal and other lawmakers announced the deal, which includes a new authority for President Trump to impose tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil or gas. The bill targets Russian officials, oligarchs, and financial institutions while also addressing the Russian shadow fleet of oil tankers. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the Senate proceedings, noting that Ukraine is making gains in the war but still requires U.S. support. The administration announced the bill as a significant moral signal to Russia, while some Democrats expressed skepticism regarding the new tariff powers granted to the president.