Overview
- Senators cleared two wide procedural hurdles this week, voting 86-12 and then 84-12 to open debate on the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act and move it toward a final Senate vote.
- The bill pairs new targeted sanctions on Russian officials, state firms and sanctions‑evasion networks with trade tools that would let the president impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas and would allow the USTR to set specific rates.
- Earlier drafts also referenced far larger punitive duties on Russian imports, and the current text keeps presidential waiver and exemption mechanics that critics say could leave sweeping discretion in the White House.
- President Trump urged adding tariff authority aimed at Iran, a proposal that has reopened negotiations and could prompt amendment fights from senators who want to limit presidential tariff powers.
- The measure has strong bipartisan Senate momentum and visible support from Ukrainian leaders but faces House timing risks when representatives return in September and sustained opposition from lawmakers worried about costs to U.S. consumers and strains with trading partners such as India and China.