The bill was in honor of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
By Catholics for Catholics
The Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill in honor of the late Sen. Lindsay Graham that imposes new sanctions on Russia and Iran. It now heads to Trump’s desk for a signature.
The House passed an Iran and Russia penalties bill advocated by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham Wednesday night, sending the measure to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature.
The final tally was 262-159. The bill’s approval comes about two months after Graham’s sudden death, according to a story by the Epoch Times.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 aims to curtail Russia from using oil and gas sales to continue subsidizing its war against Ukraine. It would also widen economic sanctions on Iran as the United States continues to compel Tehran to negotiate over six months after the start of the Iran conflict.
According to the Times’ story, seven Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Andy Harris of Maryland, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Keith Self of Texas, Tom McClintock of California, Chip Roy of Texas and Warren Davidson of Ohio — voted against the measure.
Previously, the Senate passed the bill with a tremendous 86–11 vote on Aug. 7. Still, the bill faced opposition in the House over worries that it would give President Donald Trump expanded authority to impose tariffs.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), who introduced the bill in the House, said Monday that it was time to “put maximum pressure” on Russian President Vladimir Putin by passing the bill and forcing Russia to negotiate an end to the war. McCaul also indicated this week that Trump has promised to sign the bill.
The bill would permit Trump to impose tariffs of up to 500 percent on all Russian goods imported in the United States and up to 100 percent on goods from the top five countries that import Russian oil and gas products.
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