US Senate passes sweeping Russia-Iran sanctions bill, House fight ahead

The US Senate has overwhelmingly passed a sweeping sanctions bill targeting Russia and Iran, advancing a measure that had been stalled for over a year. The 86-11 vote on Friday sends the legislation to the House of Representatives, where it faces an uncertain future due to contentious tariff provisions.

The bill, named in honor of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, aims to intensify economic pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. It also includes expanded sanctions on Iran, a priority for President Donald Trump.

The legislation would impose sanctions on Russian officials and authorize the president to levy tariffs of up to 100% on countries that are major consumers of Russian energy, including India, Japan, and several European Union nations. The goal is to reduce global dependence on Russian oil and gas, thereby cutting off revenue that funds the war in Ukraine.

Senate Republican leaders had previously refrained from bringing the bill to a vote due to resistance from Trump, who has preferred to keep sanctions decisions within the White House. The measure gained momentum after Graham and Trump agreed to move forward shortly before Graham's death in July.

While the Senate vote demonstrates broad bipartisan support, House passage is not guaranteed. Some lawmakers have expressed concerns that the new tariff powers could raise costs for US importers and consumers, potentially creating political backlash.

Representatives Gregory Meeks and Don Beyer voiced "fundamental concerns" about the tariff authority, warning that the president could "weaponize" it. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky was the sole Republican to vote against the bill, likening tariffs to taxes on American consumers.

Supporters argue the tariffs are narrowly targeted and serve a single purpose: making it more costly for countries to continue purchasing Russian energy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who was in Washington for Graham's funeral, praised the legislation as a powerful signal of US support.

The House is expected to take up the measure after its summer recess ends on August 31.