Lindsey Graham's Russia sanctions bill gains momentum after his death
US senators are trying to advance Lindsey Graham's revised Russia sanctions bill after his death. The push is now framed as both fresh support for Ukraine and a tribute to Graham's legacy.
Senator Lindsey Graham's push for a Russia sanctions bill has gained fresh urgency after his death, with US lawmakers looking to carry forward the progress he had made in winning White House backing for the measure. Supporters of Ukraine have been trying for more than a year to pass the bill, which is aimed at cutting off money Russia uses to fund its war.
A revised version of the proposal has now been unveiled to address concerns raised by some lawmakers and the White House. Backers of the bill are also discussing naming it after Graham, while senior leaders in the Senate say they want to find a way to move it forward with bipartisan support.
The revised bill would impose tariffs on goods from countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports. According to a summary, it would now apply more narrowly to the world's top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas. Sponsors said China and India are at the top of that list.
The changes were made after some lawmakers said the original bill was too broad and could hurt the economies of some of the United States' strongest allies, including those that have backed Ukraine. The White House also wanted to ensure that the president had enough flexibility to waive sanctions when it was in the national interest. The revised measure seeks to address both sets of concerns.
Under the new version, the tariffs have been reduced from a blanket 500 per cent to up to 100 per cent. It also provides exceptions for countries that import less than 15 per cent of their natural gas from Russia and are taking steps to reduce those imports.
Graham and other senators working on the legislation said in a statement on Friday that significant progress had been made in talks with the Trump administration. The senator died late on Saturday before the revised bill could be unveiled. Graham had just returned from Ukraine and had discussed the sanctions bill with President Donald Trump in a call shortly before his death.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, who had been working with Graham on the legislation, said he would support naming the bill after him. "It's part of his legacy," Blumenthal said. He added that he had spoken to Graham last week about the progress made with the White House. "He was absolutely ecstatic. You know, I've never heard him quite as exuberant."
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on Monday that Senate Majority Leader John Thune should bring the bill to the floor immediately "in honor of Lindsey", adding that "it will pass overwhelmingly and help our allies in Ukraine". Thune said he was "hopeful we can make that happen". "It would certainly be an incredible legacy for him if, in fact, we can find a path forward. It'll take Democrats and Republicans here in the Senate to do that," Thune said on CNN.
The bill already has the support of more than two dozen senators, and aides said that number was rising. Separately, the House passed a very different bill last month that included more than USD 1 billion in security and reconstruction aid for Ukraine, along with another USD 8 billion for Ukraine's defence through loans. During his visit to Ukraine last week, Graham had told reporters that sweeping new economic sanctions against Russia were finally within reach and that he was returning to Washington to meet bipartisan leaders on the proposal. The effort is now being framed by supporters as both a measure to aid Ukraine and a tribute to Graham's work on the bill.
With PTI Inputs
Senator Lindsey Graham's push for a Russia sanctions bill has gained fresh urgency after his death, with US lawmakers looking to carry forward the progress he had made in winning White House backing for the measure. Supporters of Ukraine have been trying for more than a year to pass the bill, which is aimed at cutting off money Russia uses to fund its war.
A revised version of the proposal has now been unveiled to address concerns raised by some lawmakers and the White House. Backers of the bill are also discussing naming it after Graham, while senior leaders in the Senate say they want to find a way to move it forward with bipartisan support.
The revised bill would impose tariffs on goods from countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports. According to a summary, it would now apply more narrowly to the world's top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas. Sponsors said China and India are at the top of that list.
The changes were made after some lawmakers said the original bill was too broad and could hurt the economies of some of the United States' strongest allies, including those that have backed Ukraine. The White House also wanted to ensure that the president had enough flexibility to waive sanctions when it was in the national interest. The revised measure seeks to address both sets of concerns.
Under the new version, the tariffs have been reduced from a blanket 500 per cent to up to 100 per cent. It also provides exceptions for countries that import less than 15 per cent of their natural gas from Russia and are taking steps to reduce those imports.
Graham and other senators working on the legislation said in a statement on Friday that significant progress had been made in talks with the Trump administration. The senator died late on Saturday before the revised bill could be unveiled. Graham had just returned from Ukraine and had discussed the sanctions bill with President Donald Trump in a call shortly before his death.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, who had been working with Graham on the legislation, said he would support naming the bill after him. "It's part of his legacy," Blumenthal said. He added that he had spoken to Graham last week about the progress made with the White House. "He was absolutely ecstatic. You know, I've never heard him quite as exuberant."
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on Monday that Senate Majority Leader John Thune should bring the bill to the floor immediately "in honor of Lindsey", adding that "it will pass overwhelmingly and help our allies in Ukraine". Thune said he was "hopeful we can make that happen". "It would certainly be an incredible legacy for him if, in fact, we can find a path forward. It'll take Democrats and Republicans here in the Senate to do that," Thune said on CNN.
The bill already has the support of more than two dozen senators, and aides said that number was rising. Separately, the House passed a very different bill last month that included more than USD 1 billion in security and reconstruction aid for Ukraine, along with another USD 8 billion for Ukraine's defence through loans. During his visit to Ukraine last week, Graham had told reporters that sweeping new economic sanctions against Russia were finally within reach and that he was returning to Washington to meet bipartisan leaders on the proposal. The effort is now being framed by supporters as both a measure to aid Ukraine and a tribute to Graham's work on the bill.
With PTI Inputs
