Overview
- The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 was formally introduced on July 16 and drew more than 60 co-sponsors along with explicit Senate leadership backing.
- The legislation authorizes tariffs of up to 100 percent on imports from the world’s five largest purchasers of Russian crude or natural gas and on major facilitators of Russia’s sanctions evasion.
- Sponsors paired the tariff authority with mandatory primary and secondary sanctions aimed at Russian political leaders, banks, energy projects and the so‑called shadow fleet used to evade restrictions.
- The bill gives the president and the U.S. Trade Representative broad discretion to set rates and to waive duties for national‑interest reasons, a feature that trade experts and some lawmakers say raises constitutional and governance concerns.
- Supporters say the measure appears to have enough Senate support to overcome a filibuster but floor time has not been scheduled, the House must still pass it, and critics warn the tariff and waiver language could raise global energy prices and strain ties with major partners such as India and China.