Senate Pushes Graham’s Russia Sanctions Bill After Zelenskyy’s Demands, House May Block Biden’s Overreach
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Congress to pass a sanctions bill targeting Russia’s energy sector, prompting the Senate to approve the measure 86-11. The bill now heads to the House, where conservatives are wary of expanding presidential tariff powers and further entangling the U.S. in foreign conflicts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made yet another appearance at the U.S. Capitol, this time following Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral, to address a closed-door Senate hearing. Zelenskyy pressed for more U.S. aid—including Patriot missiles, expanded Starlink access, and, most notably, a sanctions package aimed at crippling Russia’s oil and gas revenues. Lawmakers listened as Zelenskyy argued that the legislation would boost Ukrainian morale and military strength, further deepening America’s involvement in the conflict.
The Senate quickly passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act by a vote of 86-11, sending it to the House for further consideration. The bill seeks to strong-arm countries like China and India into reducing purchases of Russian energy and would hand the president sweeping authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from those nations—an unprecedented expansion of executive power with serious consequences for American consumers and businesses.
“We need this legislation,” insisted Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, claiming that both Ukrainian troops and civilians depend on it for morale.
“You could feel palpably in the room a sense that — Zelenskyy’s confidence of their ability to hold and to persevere,” said Representative Steny Hoyer, echoing the administration’s narrative.
“This is not so much a sanctions bill as it is a massive backdoor authority for President Trump to impose more tariffs, including on our European allies, that hurt American families,” warned Representative Gregory Meeks, highlighting bipartisan concerns about unchecked presidential power.
House Speaker Mike Johnson now leads a Republican-controlled chamber that has rightfully expressed skepticism about endless foreign entanglements and the wisdom of granting the president even more authority over tariffs. Several Democratic lawmakers have also objected to the bill’s tariff provisions, citing the lack of congressional oversight and the risk of damaging America’s economic interests. Advocacy groups like Razom for Ukraine continue to push for more U.S. intervention, but many conservatives argue that America’s priorities should be at home, not abroad.
The fate of the measure remains uncertain as the House debates whether to prioritize punishing Russia or to defend American sovereignty and limit executive overreach.