The bill imposes extensive sanctions on Russia, covering fund transfers, energy exports, investment, and Russian sovereign debt. It targets Russian officials, financial institutions, and entities involved in the energy sector and trade. There are provisions for exceptions and waivers, including humanitarian aid and presidential waivers subject to congressional reports. The President has the authority to both implement and terminate sanctions, with a review process and congressional oversight. Importantly, the bill emphasizes the aim to hold Russia accountable for actions against Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This comprehensive approach seeks to exert pressure on Russia and limit its economic activities.
Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026
This bill imposes a variety of sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions related to Russia.
For example, under the bill, the President must
- impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on specified persons (individuals and entities) such as the Russian president, certain Russian military commanders, and any foreign person that knowingly provides goods or services relating to Russia's defense industrial base;
- increase the rate of duty on all goods imported into the United States from Russia to a rate of up to 500% ad valorem (i.e., relative to the value);
- increase the rate of duty up to 100% ad valorem on all goods imported into the United States from a country that was among the five largest importers of Russian-origin crude oil and natural gas if such country knowingly makes new purchases of such products after enactment of the bill;
- impose property-blocking sanctions on financial institutions organized under Russian law and owned wholly or partly by Russia; and
- impose property-blocking sanctions on foreign vessels that knowingly transport certain products of Russian origin, including crude oil, uranium, and coal.
The bill prohibits (1) the export, reexport, or in-country transfer to or in Russia of U.S.-produced energy or energy product; (2) U.S. persons from making new investments in Russia or purchasing Russian sovereign debt; and (3) trading the securities of Russian government-owned, -controlled, or -affiliated entities on U.S. national securities exchanges.
The President may waive requirements of the bill by certifying it is in the national interest.
