Reed & Whitehouse Push to Get Graham’s Bipartisan Russia Sanctions Bill to Trump’s Desk

WASHINGTON, DC - When Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022, he envisioned a quick and easy military operation. Nearly four and half years later, the conflict has turned into a military, economic, and human disaster for Russia. But the Russian war machine continues to be fueled by high oil and gas prices.

In an effort to put pressure on Putin to end the war, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are teaming up with U.S. Senators Darline Graham (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ted Budd (R-NC) and 56 of their Senate colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 (S.5025). The legislation aims to hold major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas accountable for economically supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. The bill would sanction key sectors of Russia's war economy, including its shadow fleet -- which is used to export oil despite sanctions -- and penalize countries like China who've helped fund the Russian invasion.

A version of the bipartisan bill had been stalled by the Trump Administration for over a year. The day before former Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) unexpectedly passed away on July 11, after returning from Ukraine, he and a group of bipartisan lawmakers announced that the Trump Administration agreed to support the bipartisan measure to impose new U.S. sanctions on Russia.

"Until the very day he passed, Lindsey remained focused on passing the Russia sanctions bill. Passing this legislation would honor my brother's steadfast commitment to our national security and it would provide President Trump with additional leverage to bring this war to an end. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation and send it to President Trump's desk," said Senator Darline Graham.

"Ukraine is at a critical crossroads - and we must meet this pivotal moment with a powerful sanctions bill. As Ukraine turns the tide on the battlefield, our Russia sanctions bill would be historically impactful in stopping Russia's murderous slaughter," said Senator Richard Blumenthal. "When Senator Graham and I last spoke, he was absolutely exultant, calling from Kyiv with news that President Trump would support this bill to impose scorching tariffs and sanctions on purchasers of Russian oil and stop them from fueling Putin's war machine. Now is the time to push Russia toward peace. Ukraine is gaining net territory and reaching deep into Russia with its drones and missiles. Sanctions provide a path toward peace. Our bill is the product of lengthy, detailed, difficult bipartisan work, and now has broad bipartisan support. Passing this legislation right now would be a fitting tribute to Senator Graham's fierce support for Ukraine's freedom."

"The time to increase pressure on Moscow is now. Our overwhelmingly bipartisan sanctions package has the power to cripple Putin's revenue streams by targeting the energy exports that bankroll Russia's unjust war machine. Our colleague and friend, Senator Lindsey Graham, worked tirelessly to stand up to Russian aggression, and now we have the opportunity to honor his leadership and cement his legacy," said Senator Ted Budd.

"This measure is a tribute to Senator Graham's tenacious, bipartisan work in support of Ukraine, and a necessary step to deprive Putin's war machine of financial resources for its illegal invasion," said Senator Jack Reed, the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"Today's bill continues the work of the late Senator Graham, my dear friend and one of Ukraine's most relentless advocates in the Senate," said Senator Whitehouse, a member of the Finance Committee. "This forceful, bipartisan measure will disrupt the Kremlin's massive oil and gas economy, up the financial stakes, and help achieve victory for Ukraine."

With sixty cosponsors, the bipartisan bill has already established a filibuster-proof majority. It is now up to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to schedule a vote on the bill.

The legislation is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators John Thune (R-SD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Katie Britt (R-AL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jim Risch (R-ID), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Michael Bennet (D-CO) Tom Cotton (R-AR), Tim Scott (R-SC), Angus King (I-ME), John Barrasso (R-WY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Cornyn (R-TX), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Curtis (R-UT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Gary Peters (D-MI), James Lankford (R-OK), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), John Boozman (R-AR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jon Husted (R-OH), John Hoeven (R-ND), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Jim Justice (R-WV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Kennedy (R-LA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Rick Scott (R-FL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Alan Armstrong (R-OK), and Steve Daines (R-MT).

BACKGROUND

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 would impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. The sanctions target Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members, foreign persons, Russian banks and financial institutions, and the Russian Shadow Fleet.

The legislation also directs the President to impose up to 100 percent tariffs on imported goods from countries that buy the majority of Russian oil and gas and enable Russian sanctions evasion. The new text limits these tariffs to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil and gas. It also contains a waiver, consistent with other mandatory sanctions bills, allowing the President to waive sanctions, restrictions, or duties upon a justification and certification to Congress that the waiver is in the national interest of the United States.

The bill also includes an exception for countries importing less than 15 percent of Russia's natural gas exports and taking significant steps to reduce those imports.

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