A group of senators on Tuesday unveiled a sweeping Russia sanctions bill and urged its passing to “honor” Senator Lindsey Graham, who died over the weekend after a visit to Ukraine, where he announced that the White House and Congress reached an agreement to advance the legislation.
“It is truly a tribute to Senator Graham that we are at this point,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who made frequent visits to Ukraine along with Graham.
The bill would impose sanctions on Russian officials, Russian state-owned companies, and foreign firms that support Russia’s military industry. The bill would also give President Trump the ability to impose a 100% tariff on countries that purchase Russian energy, down from the 500% tariffs that were part of a bill Graham and Blumenthal were pushing last year.
Congressional aides told Reuters that the top five purchasers of Russian oil are China, India, Slovakia, Hungary, and Azerbaijan, and the top five buyers of Russian natural gas are China, France, Japan, Hungary, and Belgium.
The bill includes a provision to spare US allies from the tariffs if they import less than 15% of Russia’s natural gas exports and are taking steps to reduce reliance on Russian energy. The Reuters report said that the bill also allows Trump to waive the sanctions if he deems it in the interest of US national security.
The bill currently has 26 bipartisan co-sponsors, as Senate Democrats and Republicans were united on Tuesday in their calls to pass it for the sake of Graham, who leaves behind a legacy as one of the most hawkish members of Congress in recent decades.
“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,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).
