A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced sweeping new sanctions legislation aimed at punishing entities that support Russia’s war machine in Ukraine. The bill, formally known as the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, carries an added layer of significance: it’s being framed as a tribute to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who originally championed the effort before his death.
Graham first introduced the legislation as S.1241 back in April 2025. The fact that colleagues from both parties picked it up and pushed it across the finish line tells you something about where Washington’s head is on Russia policy right now.
What the bill actually does
The core mechanism is straightforward. The legislation targets buyers of Russian oil and natural gas exports, expanding the US government’s toolkit for penalizing entities that keep revenue flowing into Moscow’s war chest.
Key sponsors include Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Blumenthal, and Roger Wicker, a cross-party lineup that’s become increasingly rare in Washington. Over 80 senators have previously backed earlier versions of this bill.
