The Senate approved a long-delayed sanctions package targeting Russia and Iran on Friday, delivering a decisive final tribute to the late Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Graham had championed the legislation before his sudden death last month.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 passed by an overwhelming vote of 86 to 11.

That margin reflected rare agreement in a chamber usually capable of turning even obvious national security concerns into partisan theater.

The legislation targets Russian oil and natural gas exports that continue to finance Vladimir Putin’s bloody invasion of Ukraine.

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It also extends existing American sanctions aimed at the energy and weapons sectors of Iran.

Senators cleared a major procedural obstacle last week with broad support from both parties, just hours after Graham’s funeral at Washington National Cathedral.

Friday’s final vote transformed that momentum into Senate approval.

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The measure gives the Trump administration authority to impose targeted tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas by volume.

It also renews sanctions against Iran that were scheduled to expire after this year.

“This bill says to Vladimir Putin, ‘Your days of war are numbered,’” bill sponsor Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said last week.

“‘You are on the losing side. Better to come to the table now than sacrifice more lives, waste more money, crater your economy, destroy your standing in the world. America stands with Ukraine.”

Before Friday’s vote, Graham’s sister, Senator Darline Graham Nordone of South Carolina, called for “a show of strength” from the Senate.

She urged lawmakers to continue the American tradition of serving “as a beacon of hope to the free world.”

“Each member of this body must also make a choice,” she said, “whether we have the courage to stand up to evil, or continue on with the status quo.”

When voting concluded, Darline Graham received the honor of announcing the final tally.

The moment gave the vote added weight, turning a major foreign policy action into a personal salute to her brother’s years of work.

The legislation was introduced last year and quickly attracted support from most senators, but it remained stalled on Capitol Hill.

President Trump had repeatedly pursued negotiations intended to end Russia’s four year war against its western neighbor.

That diplomatic effort delayed congressional action, even as Putin continued attacking Ukraine and profiting from energy sales abroad.

Washington finally appears ready to apply more pressure instead of waiting for the Kremlin to discover good manners.

One day before his July 11 death, Graham announced that he had reached an agreement with the White House to advance the legislation.

He vowed that the measure would “become law” and said he had “never been more optimistic” about the war approaching an end.

Graham did not live to witness the Senate vote, but the lopsided result showed the strength of the coalition he assembled.

The next step belongs to the House, where lawmakers are expected to consider the bill after returning from summer recess on August 31.

“Ukraine’s battlefield successes have injected new urgency into Congress, while Putin’s relentless attacks on civilians have hardened its resolve.

The House must now meet the moment by passing this bill and sending it to President Trump’s desk for signature,” said Daniel Balson of the New York pro Ukraine organization Razom.

Balson said the vote represented an appropriate tribute to Graham and his sustained support for Ukraine.

He also praised senators in both parties for carrying forward the fight against Putin’s military aggression.

“The strong bipartisan support for this bill is a fitting tribute to Senator Lindsey Graham, who devoted years to supporting Ukraine as it bravely resisted Putin’s war machine.

We are glad to see senators from both parties ready to take up the torch in the fight for freedom and democracy,” added Balson.

“Putin should be under no illusion: the longer he continues his illegal war, the higher the cost he will face.”

“We thank President Trump for publicly backing this legislation.

Ukraine’s many supporters across the country now expect Congress to finish the job and make this bill law.”

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