WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate voted 86-12 on Tuesday to advance the Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, a sweeping bill that would impose harsher economic measures against Russia and Iran. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy watched from the Senate gallery as the vote was called.
The legislation targets Russia with sanctions stricter than those previously in force, aimed specifically at buyers of Russian oil and gas — cutting off revenue Moscow is using to fund its war in Ukraine.
The bill also extends existing sanctions against Iran, seeking to limit Tehran's ability to fund proxies and develop advanced weaponry. The United States has maintained a broad sanctions regime against Iran for years; this bill deepens it.
The measure grants President Donald Trump new tariff powers, expanding the administration's authority to impose additional economic penalties against designated entities.
The bill had stalled in Congress for over a year. Its advancement follows renewed bipartisan consensus on the need for stronger action against both countries.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer both backed bringing the bill to the floor, their cooperation cutting across the chamber's partisan divisions.
The 86-12 vote drew support from nearly all Republicans and a majority of Democrats. If the full Senate passes the bill, it moves to the House.
