Kelly, Colleagues Introduce Legislation with Over 60 Cosponsors to Hold Purchasers of Russian Oil Accountable
Before his death, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham secured an agreement with the White House to bring sweeping sanctions against the enablers of Russia’s war in Ukraine
Earlier this year, Kelly visited Ukraine for the fourth time since the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022
Today, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) joined Senator Darline Graham (R-SC) and more than 60 members of the Senate in introducing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, legislation to hold major purchasers of Russian oil and gas accountable for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“The fastest way to end this illegal war is to cut off the money that Putin is using to fuel it,” said Kelly. “Stronger sanctions will put pressure on Putin and those helping him. This is a crucial step toward achieving lasting peace that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty and strengthens U.S. national security.”
“Until the very day he passed, Lindsey remained focused on passing the Russia sanctions bill. 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. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation and send it to President Trump’s desk,” said Graham.
In addition to Kelly and Graham, the legislation is co-sponsored by Senators John Thune (R-SD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Katie Britt (R-AL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jim Risch (R-ID), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tim Scott (R-SC), Angus King (I-ME), John Barrasso (R-WY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Cornyn (R-TX), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Curtis (R-UT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Gary Peters (D-MI), James Lankford (R-OK), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), John Boozman (R-AR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jon Husted (R-OH), John Hoeven (R-ND), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Jim Justice (R-WV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Kennedy (R-LA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Alan Armstrong (R-OK), and Steve Daines (R-MT).
Background:
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act would impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. The sanctions target Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members, foreign persons, and Russian banks and financial institutions, as well as the Russian Shadow Fleet.
The legislation also directs the President to impose up to 100 percent tariffs on imported goods from countries that buy the majority of Russian oil, gas, and enable Russian sanctions evasion. The new text limits these tariffs to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil and gas.
Click here to read the full text of the bill. Click here to read the one pager.
