World

Senate passes sanctions bill on Russia and Iran named for late Sen. Lindsey Graham

BREAKING NEWSUpdated 5 minutes agoWar in UkraineSenate passes sanctions bill on Russia and Iran named for late Sen. Lindsey GrahamThe legislation is part of a deal reached by senators aimed at helping Ukraine by cutting off funds for “Putin’s war machine.”Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00A man stands on a destroyed car following…

Posted on 3 min read
BREAKING NEWS
Updated 5 minutes ago
War in Ukraine

Senate passes sanctions bill on Russia and Iran named for late Sen. Lindsey Graham

The legislation is part of a deal reached by senators aimed at helping Ukraine by cutting off funds for “Putin’s war machine.”
A man walks past while a man stands on a destroyed car  following an air attack.
A man stands on a destroyed car following a Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv in July. Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images file

WASHINGTON — The Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass legislation to impose sanctions against Russia and Iran after months of fits and starts, with the death of Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham providing the final push.

The 61-page legislation, re-named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, in honor of the bill’s biggest proponent, is designed to punish major buyers of Russian oil and gas. It also features additional sanctions on Russian leaders, family members and oligarchs.

Smoke rises over the city after an air attack.
Smoke rises over the city following a Russian air attack on Kyiv in July.Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images file

And it allows for targeted tariffs on products from countries that buy most Russian oil and gas, limiting them to the five biggest importers.

The vote was 86-11.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said the bill would help protect Ukraine against Russian aggression.

“Ukraine is now the largest conflict, literally, since World War II in Europe,” Thune said in a recent floor speech. “And the Ukrainian people have been resilient, worked really, really hard to try and bring this war to an end. But as long as Putin has Russian oil and gas money, he’s able to continue this war. And what this sanctions bill would do would basically cut that off.”

Airstrikes In Kyiv Leave At Least Nine Dead
Rescuers work at a nine-story residential building in Kyiv’s Podilskyi district after a Russian missile strike in Kyiv, in July. Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos via Getty Images file

After a last-minute demand from President Donald Trump, it also extends sanction authority designed to limit funding toward Iran’s weapons and energy sectors.

The bill has been criticized by a group of Democrats and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., with the Democrats arguing it gives Trump too much tariff authority.

It now goes to the Republican-controlled House, where it faces an uncertain future.

The Senate deal was announced Tuesday morning by Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., the late senator’s sister and appointed successor, as well as Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Katie Britt, R-Ala.; Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.; Roger Wicker, R-Miss.; and Jim Risch, R-Idaho.

A couple walks past recruiting placard in Ukraine.
A couple walks past a recruiting placard in Kyiv in June.Sergei Supinsky / AFP via Getty Images file

The senators struck the deal on July 28, less than two weeks after Graham’s unexpected death, saying there was “no greater way to honor” the South Carolinian’s legacy.

“We are proud to announce an agreement on legislation to stop purchasers of Russian oil and gas from fueling Putin’s war machine and to continue restricting the Iranian regime’s ability to support terrorism and build its nuclear program,” the senators said in a joint statement.

Senate passage was all but guaranteed after the chamber voted 86-12 to advance the bill procedurally last month, shortly after reaching the deal.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/sports

World

Trump defends Pete Hegseth and school shooting leaves multiple dead in Thailand: Morning Rundown

Posted on 7 min read

Trump defends Pete Hegseth and school shooting leaves multiple dead in Thailand: Morning RundownPlus, Aaron Farinacci, who is accused of starting one of the blazes in Washington state, has been linked to past fires.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Aug. 7, 2026, 7:06 AM EDTBy Elizabeth Robinson and Delia Sara RangelTrump defends Pete Hegseth…

World

GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski comes out against Todd Blanche for attorney general, putting nomination in jeopardy

Posted on 2 min read

BREAKING NEWSAug. 7, 2026, 10:59 AM UTCTrump administrationGOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski comes out against Todd Blanche for attorney general, putting nomination in jeopardySen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, also said she will vote against Blanche’s nomination, and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., remains undecided.Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Sen. Lisa Murkowski in 2025. Allison Robbert /…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *