Politics can be dangerous game. Rarely is the Hill struck with tragedy.
Now death in the US Senate rattled Capitol Hill to its core.
Senate Honors Lindsey Graham’s Legacy, Advances Sweeping Sanctions Bill to Crush Putin’s War Machine
The Senate took its first major step Tuesday night in fulfilling one of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s biggest priorities: imposing crushing sanctions on Russia, just hours after lawmakers, world leaders, and family gathered in Washington to say their final goodbyes to the longtime senator.
Bipartisan Bill Renamed to Honor Graham’s Legacy
A bipartisan swell carried the sanctions package through its first procedural hurdle Tuesday night. The bill, which has gone through several iterations since it was first formulated by Graham and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., has now been renamed in Graham’s honor and expanded to add fresh sanctions against Iran.
“The basic, core function of the bill is to stop purchases of Russian oil and gas from fueling Putin’s war machine, and we’re at a really pivotal time for Ukraine,” Blumenthal said.
A bipartisan group led by Blumenthal and Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., who picked up her older brother’s sanctions crusade after his passing, announced a deal to rename the package the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, cementing his legacy into law as a symbol of his fierce support for Ukraine.
Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, told Fox News Digital that “literally the first conversation I ever had with Lindsey Graham was about Russia sanctions,” adding, “I know he was very passionate about this and I know that sanctions are one of the best tools we have for bringing wars to an end without having to commit any of our military.”
Bill Targets Putin’s War Chest and Extends New Iran Penalties
The legislation still focuses on crippling Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war effort by targeting Moscow’s top financial gainer: oil and gas sales. It also extends sanctions authority against Iran, hampering funding to the country’s weapons and energy sectors as the administration and negotiators abroad work toward a lasting peace agreement for the war in the Middle East.
The bill maintains targeted sanctions against Putin, Russian officials, and Russian military leaders, along with tariffs of up to 500% on Russian imports and tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian energy, including China and India. It also gives President Donald Trump flexibility on when to lift certain sanctions.
Zelenskyy Attends Graham’s Funeral, Pushes for Continued Support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a close ally of Graham’s, traveled to Washington to attend his funeral and meet with President Trump and lawmakers to push both the sanctions bill and a deal for additional anti-ballistic missile defenses in the war against Russia.
“First and foremost, I offered President Trump our condolences on the passing of Lindsey Graham. He was a true friend of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said on X. “The President and I discussed licenses for Patriot interceptor production and several other ideas that could help. We also spoke about diplomacy – it’s important that the diplomatic process be reinvigorated.”
