The US Senate has passed legislation targeting Russia and its leading petroleum buyers, including India, with authority to impose punitive tariffs. The bill faces scrutiny over whether it grants excessive tariff powers to President Trump.
The US Senate voted 86-11 to approve the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, legislation designed to penalize nations that purchase significant quantities of Russian energy products. The measure would authorize President Donald Trump to impose 100 percent tariffs on goods imported from the world's five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas—currently identified as China, India, Azerbaijan, Hungary, and Slovakia.
The bill also targets Russian leadership and financial institutions with sanctions while extending existing penalties on Iran's energy sector through 2031. Supporters of the legislation characterize it as essential to disrupting Russia's economic capacity to wage war in Ukraine. The bipartisan effort was led by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died in July, and Democrat Richard Blumenthal. Following Graham's death, lawmakers from both parties accelerated the bill's passage as a tribute to his advocacy for Ukraine.
However, the legislation has generated opposition from some Democratic lawmakers concerned about its broader implications. Representatives Gregory Meeks and Don Beyer have warned that the bill grants "sweeping new tariff authorities" that President Trump could exploit beyond the stated objective of sanctioning Russia. They argue the measure would allow the administration to evade direct accountability for Russia while expanding an already contentious trade policy agenda.
The bill now proceeds to the House of Representatives, which reconvenes August 31, for consideration and a final vote.
