Senate Advances Russia Sanctions Bill

The legislation cleared a procedural hurdle hours after the funeral of Lindsey Graham, who championed the package.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

“We are thankful that this bill is very important,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after meeting with senators. “Sanctions pressure on Russia is very important. It’s not only about how to stop financing this war. But it’s also a big signal to Europe, a big signal to Ukraine, big support of our people. So I’m very thankful.” Bill Clark/AP

The Senate on Tuesday advanced sweeping new sanctions targeting Russia, moving long-stalled legislation that supporters say would squeeze one of the Kremlin’s most important sources of wartime revenue.

The Senate voted 86-12, clearing the way for legislation named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican whose death this month spurred supporters to try to get it done.

The legislation would authorize the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the largest purchasers of Russian energy, while also targeting Russian officials, oligarchs, banks and other supporters of Moscow’s war effort and vessels in Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.