U.S. Sen. Katie Britt praised the Senate’s 86-12 vote advancing Lindsey Graham’s sanctions bill Tuesday, calling it a show of American strength only hours after lawmakers gathered to honor the late South Carolina senator.
The bipartisan procedural vote moved the Senate forward on the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The legislation must still clear additional Senate votes before advancing to the House.
“What a day. The heaviness of the day is not lost on any of us,” Britt (R-Montgomery) said during a press conference following the vote.
“In typical Lindsey fashion, he found a way for us to vote on this bill right after we came back from celebrating his life.”
Britt said Graham told her and several colleagues that passing the legislation and sending it to President Donald Trump would be the most consequential accomplishment of his Senate career.
The bill grew from more than a year of negotiations led by Graham and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Graham secured White House support for updated legislation shortly before his death.
“This group took all of their different talents and skill sets and knowledge, whether it was shadow fleet to armed services to foreign relations,” Britt said. “They did the work because they want to see the killing end. They want to see a peaceful resolution, and they want America to continue to show strength around the globe.”
The legislation would impose primary and secondary sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, financial institutions and foreign actors supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine.
It also targets Russia’s shadow fleet and gives the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the largest purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas, or countries helping Russia evade energy sanctions. The updated package extends sanctions restricting funding for Iran’s energy and weapons sectors.
Before the vote, Britt and other lawmakers met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who urged senators to support the sanctions package.
“We showed the world that we stand for strength, we stand for peace, and we stand with Ukraine,” Britt said.
Britt recalled a conversation with Graham following their visit to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Graham told her the sacrifices commemorated there demonstrated the consequences when political leaders fail to meet their responsibilities.
“Tonight, we did not fail to do our job,” Britt said. “We stood tall, and I am proud that the United States of America is leading.”
Britt urged senators to complete the remaining procedural steps quickly and called on the House to act once the legislation clears the Senate.
“This gives flexibility, but economic firepower to drive Putin to the table and end this war,” Britt said. “We hope that our colleagues in the House will take this up quickly and then get it to the president’s desk.”
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
