Trump Signs Lindsey Graham’s Sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill Into Law

President Trump signed a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russia on Friday, enacting legislation championed by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham that seeks to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its continuing war with Ukraine. The White House confirmed Trump signed the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.”

The legislation targets major parts of Russia’s economy, including its energy and defense industries. It also imposes sanctions on Russian officials, banks, financial institutions and members of the country’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to keep Russian energy exports flowing despite existing restrictions.

One of the law’s most significant provisions gives President Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the largest importers of Russian oil and natural gas, as well as countries determined to be helping Russia evade existing energy sanctions. The provision could potentially affect major Russian energy customers including China and India.

Certain countries can qualify for an exemption if their purchases account for less than 15% of Russia’s natural gas exports and they are taking significant steps to reduce their reliance on Russian supplies. The president also retains substantial discretion in implementing and waiving sanctions under the legislation.

The measure received significant bipartisan support in Congress. The Senate approved it 86-11 in August, while the House passed it 262-159 on Wednesday before sending it to President Trump’s desk.

The legislation was one of Graham’s final major projects before his death in July. Graham had spent more than a year working on the proposal alongside Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, arguing that stronger economic measures were necessary to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin and countries continuing to finance Russia through energy purchases.

Graham’s sister, Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed to complete his Senate term, attended the Oval Office signing. She said her brother believed the legislation could help bring the war closer to an end by applying economic pressure on Moscow and forcing Russia’s energy customers to reconsider their relationships with the country.

The legislation also extends the Iran Sanctions Act for another five years. Those provisions maintain sanctions authority targeting funding connected to Iran’s energy and weapons sectors, an extension that was added as the Trump administration negotiated its support for the broader package.

Some Democrats opposed the final legislation despite its bipartisan passage, raising concerns about the broad tariff authority granted to the president and the possibility that tariffs could affect U.S. allies or increase economic costs. Supporters argued that the powers are necessary to target countries continuing to provide Russia with revenue for its war effort.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked President Trump following the signing and called the legislation critically important. The new law gives the administration additional economic tools against Moscow as the United States continues efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine toward negotiations.