U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) is helping lead a bipartisan group of 62 senators behind a new Russia sanctions bill named for the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Britt joined U.S. Sens. Darline Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) in introducing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026.
The legislation would impose sanctions on Russia and actors supporting its war against Ukraine while targeting major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas.
“One of the many pillars of Senator Graham’s exemplary career of public service was his dedication to putting America’s national security first and promoting liberty around the world,” Britt said.
“It is an honor to help champion one of his highest priorities: imposing crushing sanctions to cripple Russia’s war machine and hold those fueling it accountable.”
The bill has rapidly gained bipartisan support since senators gathered Tuesday to honor Graham and discuss the proposal.
Graham worked with Blumenthal for more than a year to negotiate the legislation and build support in Congress and the Trump administration. He reached an agreement with the White House on the updated language days before his death.
Britt said Graham viewed the measure as central to his legacy.
“Lindsey believed that getting this legislation passed and signed into law would be the most consequential thing he achieved in his career,” Britt said. “These sanctions will provide President Trump with a critical tool to hold Russia accountable and secure a lasting peace.”
Darline Graham, who was appointed to complete her brother’s Senate term, said he remained focused on the bill until the final day of his life.
“Passing this legislation would honor my brother’s steadfast commitment to our national security, and it would provide President Trump with additional leverage to bring this war to an end,” she said.
The legislation would impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russian officials, oligarchs, financial institutions, energy companies and foreign actors supporting Russia’s war effort.
It also targets Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which is used to transport oil and evade international sanctions.
The proposal directs the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods imported from countries that rank among the five largest purchasers of Russian oil or gas or the five largest facilitators of sanctions evasion.
The bill includes an exemption for countries reducing their dependence on Russian natural gas when their purchases account for less than 15% of Russia’s total gas exports.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) is also among the 62 senators supporting the legislation.
Britt said the growing coalition should now move quickly to pass the bill and send it to President Donald Trump.
“Let’s hold Putin accountable, and let’s honor Lindsey Graham as we move this forward,” she said.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
