US Senate passes sweeping bill to impose new sanctions on Russia

The US Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill today that includes a package of sanctions against Russia, following a year-long campaign led by the late Senator Lindsey Graham to strengthen American support for Ukraine and pressure President Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing war.

The bipartisan bill, which passed with an 86-11 vote, would impose sanctions on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, gas, and other exports, in an effort to deprive Putin of revenues used to fund the war.

The legislation will now be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration, though the House is not scheduled to return from its summer recess until September.

According to Agence France-Presse, the legislative initiative, co-authored by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, calls for a 100% tariff on the top five buyers of Russian energy resources, and a 500% tariff on all imports from Russia to the United States.

The bill also includes exemptions for countries whose share of annual gas imports from Russia is less than 15%, provided they reduce their purchases.