Senator Mike Turner has called on the Senate to push forward Lindsey Graham’s Russia sanctions bill, emphasizing that the legislation should move ahead despite Graham’s recent death. Turner framed the bill as a key part of honoring Graham’s legacy and reaffirming U.S. commitment to Ukraine amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The proposed Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, co-sponsored by Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal, aims to extend sanctions beyond targeting Moscow to penalize third countries purchasing Russian energy. The bill includes stringent measures such as a proposed 500% tariff on imports like Russian oil, gas, uranium, and petrochemicals. Having passed the House, the bill is now with the Senate, where support has grown to 85 senators. After stalling for over a year, the effort was revived earlier this year and gained further momentum through negotiations with the Trump administration.
Turner, a former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, highlighted Graham’s active role in championing the sanctions as recently as a NATO summit, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alongside other senators. Turner positioned the legislation within a broader foreign policy tradition that supports allies without deploying American troops, aligning Graham with figures like John McCain and Ronald Reagan. The bill sends a clear message that the U.S. stands firmly with Ukraine, even as debates continue over the scope of an “America first” foreign policy. Turner contended that prioritizing America does not mean isolation, reinforcing that the legislation is consistent with U.S. strategic interests.
The bill’s expanded scope reflects concerns over Russia’s extensive energy trade, particularly with countries like China and India, which constitute a significant portion of Moscow’s energy exports. By targeting these buyers alongside Russia itself, lawmakers aim to maintain broad pressure on the Kremlin. Graham’s death leaves uncertainty about whether bipartisan respect for him will translate into sufficient votes. Nonetheless, Turner urged that the loss should accelerate efforts to pass the bill, underscoring the importance of sustaining U.S. sanctions policy in a critical phase of international diplomacy.