Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal and other lawmakers unveiled a bipartisan bill to impose sweeping sanctions on Russia.
Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal and several colleagues unveiled a bipartisan bill on Tuesday aimed at pressuring Moscow to reduce its revenue from the war in Ukraine. The legislation, which honors the late Lindsey Graham, imposes mandatory sanctions on Russian political and military leaders, including Vladimir Putin, as well as state-owned enterprises and the nation's shadow fleet. The bill focuses heavily on Russia's energy exports, proposing up to a 100% tariff on the top five countries that purchase Russian crude oil and natural gas. While China and India are primary targets, the bill allows exemptions for countries making significant efforts to reduce their imports. The administration announced its support for the bill, which has been under negotiation for nearly two years. While President Trump suggested adding measures for Iran and Hezbollah, Richard Blumenthal urged the Senate to move forward with the current version. Republican Senator Rick Scott expressed full support for the bill, while Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Senator Katie Britt joined the bipartisan effort to honor Graham's legacy.