The Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday night to advance a sweeping Russia sanctions bill that Sen. Lindsey Graham had long sought to move forward before his unexpected death.
The 86-12 procedural vote tees up the bill for final passage in the upper chamber later this week. It came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed lawmakers on Capitol Hill — and followed the funeral of the South Carolina senator, who was a stalwart supporter of Kyiv.
The bill would sanction Russian leaders, its energy sector and shadow fleet. It also would extend certain sanctions on Iran — a last-minute addition after lawmakers struck a deal to expand the scope of the legislation.
The measure’s chances of becoming law are high but not guaranteed, as House lawmakers adjourned for August recess before taking it up. While House Democrats are likely to push back on the legislation over concerns that it grants Trump wider tariff authority, the bill has broad bipartisan support — and the White House’s blessing.
