The US Senate on Friday approved legislation to impose sweeping new sanctions on Russia, advancing a long-delayed bipartisan effort to intensify economic pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, according to multiple media reports.
The bill, renamed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, passed the Senate and now heads to the House of Representatives, where lawmakers could consider it as early as next month.
The 61-page legislation aims to cut into Russia's energy revenues by targeting countries that continue to buy Russian crude oil and natural gas.
It would authorize tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the five largest purchasers of Russian energy, including China and India, with the final tariff level to be determined by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
The measure represents a significant shift from its original version introduced in April 2025, which proposed a minimum 500% tariff on Russian energy buyers and included fewer exemptions.
The proposal was revised to give the trade representative discretion over implementation after more than a year of negotiations between the administration and lawmakers.
The legislation includes exemptions for countries that account for less than 15% of Russia's total natural gas exports and are taking steps to substantially reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.
It also expands sanctions authority against Russia's so-called shadow fleet of aging and reflagged oil tankers, which Moscow has used to bypass restrictions and maintain energy exports despite existing US measures.
The push for tougher sanctions was championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and one of Ukraine's strongest supporters in Congress during the war.
The legislation also incorporates expanded sanctions against Iran sought by President Trump as lawmakers sought to advance a broader pressure campaign against US adversaries.
The Senate vote marks a major step forward for a package that had stalled for more than a year amid negotiations over the scope of penalties, presidential authority and the potential impact on global energy markets.
The White House did not immediately respond to' request for comment.