Shaheen pushes Congress to pass Graham’s Russia sanctions bill after senator’s death

Senate Shaheen pushes Congress to pass Graham’s Russia sanctions bill after senator’s death Comments: by Ashleigh Fields - 07/12/26 2:43 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Ashleigh Fields - 07/12/26 2:43 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) on Sunday urged members of Congress to pass a Russia sanctions bill in honor of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and his legacy as an advocate for Ukraine amid its war against the Kremlin.

Graham died on Saturday evening due to a “brief and sudden illness” per his office.

“On Friday, Senators Graham, Blumenthal, Wicker and I announced White House support for our Russia sanctions legislation to help finally achieve peace for Ukraine, which Lindsey described as one of his most consequential efforts,” Shaheen wrote in a statement posted to X.

“There can be no more fitting memorial to Lindsey, his legacy, or the causes he fought for, than to pass this legislation and realize his long-held dream of an independent and secure Ukraine,” she added.

Graham alongside Shaheen and Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) had just reached an agreement with the White House regarding the text for a potential sanctions bill before the South Carolina lawmaker was pronounced dead on Saturday evening.

It’s unclear what changes were made to Graham’s bill, known as the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, that floated 500 percent tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil and gas. The legislation had 85 co-sponsors in the Senate.

“When we last spoke, he was as enthusiastic and exuberant as I’ve ever seen him,” Blumenthal wrote in a post on X. “Passing the sanctions bill right away would be a fitting tribute.”

GOP Rep. Mike Turner (Ohio) shared a similar request during an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

“This bill would be an important symbolism to say, ‘We’re going to be with Ukraine.’ And I certainly hope the Senate moves it this week,” Turner told anchor Margaret Brennan on Sunday.

Turner noted there were “more than a veto-proof number” of senators who co-sponsored previous legislation in the lower chamber regarding harsher sanctions on Russia.

“With the White House’s support, this bill could be on the president’s desk this week,” he told Brennan.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said he’d introduce a House bill regarding Russia sanctions this week.

The Senator led a months-long campaign for the second Trump administration to crack down on Russian President Vladimir Putin economically with an emphasis on “bone crushing” sanctions and tariffs.

Shaheen said Graham was “a tireless advocate for America’s indispensable global role and had a particular focus on supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s unprovoked invasion.”

“Just days ago, we were at the NATO Summit together, pushing toward this goal,” she added, reflecting on their work together moments before his death.