Senator Graham Announces July Vote on Russia Sanctions Bill with Trump’s Backing

Senator Lindsey Graham has announced that his long-stalled sanctions bill targeting Russia is expected to move forward in Congress in July, following a decisive show of support from President Donald Trump.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to ABC News.

Graham described the development as a “major breakthrough,” revealing that during a private golf outing over the weekend, Trump gave him the green light to push the legislation forward. 

“He told me, ‘It’s time to act – move your bill,’” Graham said, adding that the measure is now slated for a vote immediately after the July 4 recess ends on July 6.

The bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored by Senator Richard Blumenthal and supported by over 80 members of Congress, aims to ramp up economic pressure on Moscow for its refusal to engage in meaningful peace negotiations with Ukraine. 

At the heart of the bill is a provision authorizing the U.S. president to impose sweeping tariffs of up to 500% on goods imported from nations that continue to buy Russian oil. 

“This legislation gives the president real leverage – tools to punish countries that are bankrolling Putin’s aggression,” Graham said. “The goal is to force Putin to the negotiating table by targeting the economic lifelines that sustain his military.”

However, Graham acknowledged that the final version of the bill includes a presidential waiver clause, which is a critical element that grants the U.S. president full discretion over whether and how to implement the proposed sanctions. 

The waiver was added in part to secure broader political backing, especially from Trump’s circle.

“The president will have the authority, but not the obligation, to act,” Graham explained. “We’re not mandating sanctions, we’re empowering the commander-in-chief to use them if and when necessary. That flexibility is what earned Trump’s support.”

According to Graham, the U.S. president sees the bill as a strategic tool rather than a political constraint. “We’re giving him a sword, not handcuffs,” the senator said.

If passed, the legislation would mark the most consequential escalation of U.S. economic pressure on Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine but its actual impact will hinge entirely on presidential will.

As The Gaze reported earlier, Ukrainian FM Andrii Sybiha has welcomed U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham’s proposed sanctions legislation, emphasizing its potential to play a decisive role in pushing Russia toward a ceasefire and opening the door to meaningful peace negotiations.