President Donald Trump signed the sanctions bill into law on Friday, a measure named after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who died in July. The bill passed 86-11 in the Senate and 262-159 in the House. It was drafted by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.
The bill targets Russian officials, banks, and a shadow fleet of tankers. It directs Trump to impose up to 100% tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas. There is an exception: countries importing less than 15% of Russia’s natural gas exports can escape the tariffs if they reduce their imports significantly.
The war began more than four years ago, and this bill aims to cut off funds for Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
Graham’s Family Speaks
Darline Graham, Lindsey’s sister, issued a statement after the signing. She said Lindsey believed the bill “would help end the war through squeezing Putin economically.”
Blumenthal also praised Graham’s memory. “If he were here today, he would be jubilant about our bill’s passage,” he said. He added that Putin “is a thug who understands only force and strength, which is what we must show clearly and unequivocally.”
The Vote Numbers
The numbers show broad agreement across parties on this one. The Senate vote split 86-11, and the House vote split 262-159. That is a wide margin for a bill targeting a major economic partner.
Jeffries Pushes Back
Not everyone agreed. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., opposed the bill. “Why in the world would this Congress or the People’s House give this president unfettered authority to visit more tariffs on the world that will have an adverse economic impact on the American people?” he asked.
Trump’s Own Push
Trump gave a nod after the bill included his push for a five-year extension of existing sanctions on Iran.
The Tariff Exception
The 100% tariff provision targets the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas. The exception for smaller importers who cut their intake is meant to protect countries that cannot easily switch away from Russian gas.
But the exception raises a question. How will countries know whether they qualify? The bill does not specify how reductions are measured or verified.
The Bill’s Reach
The bill covers a wide range of targets. It sanctions Russian officials, banks, and the tanker fleet that moves Russian energy. It also directs Trump to impose tariffs on importers, with a carve-out for countries that import little Russian gas and reduce their purchases.
| Vote | Result |
|---|---|
| Senate | 86-11 |
| House | 262-159 |
The bill is now law.
Where the paper stands
The paper backs the deal over the standoff and is against a new front with Russia. The Graham sanctions bill just became law, and it hands Trump the power to hit up to 100% tariffs on the top Russian oil and gas importers — including an exception for countries that import less than 15% of Russian gas and have reduced their imports. That exception raises questions about how it applies in practice.
The bill’s exception is vague on how reductions are measured and verified. Countries do not know how they will know whether they qualify. The paper’s position is sceptical of foreign entanglements and of trade wars alike, and backs the deal over the standoff.
The reader should watch how the exception plays out in practice. The paper would want clearer rules on what counts as a significant reduction before any country relies on the carve-out. The bill is now law, but its effects remain to be seen.
Source material: “Trump signs sweeping Russia sanctions bill, aiming to choke off funds for Moscow in Ukraine war,” ABC7 Los Angeles.
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