U.S. Lawmakers Push to Tie Russia Sanctions to Government Funding Bill

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick have unveiled a new strategy to accelerate the adoption of sweeping sanctions against Russia, urging colleagues to attach the measure to a stopgap federal funding bill.

The Gaze reports this, referring to Politico.

In a joint statement, the lawmakers framed the effort as a test of political will rather than a procedural move. 

“Time is of the essence. We urge our colleagues to consider attaching this legislation to the Continued Resolution funding. The free world must act, and America must lead,” they said.

Their push follows remarks by former President Donald Trump, who on Saturday signaled support for imposing “serious sanctions” on Moscow if NATO countries halt purchases of Russian oil and jointly move to impose tariffs on China. 

Graham and Fitzpatrick characterized this approach as coordinated action with Europe.

The lawmakers plan to rally bipartisan backing next week, pressing colleagues “to join in advancing this bill and to stand with freedom against tyranny.”

Attaching the sanctions package to a short-term budget resolution is seen as the most viable path forward, given that House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Republican leader John Thune have been reluctant to allow a stand-alone vote without explicit approval from the White House.

Graham has long been pushing for legislation that would extend secondary sanctions to countries such as India and China that provide economic lifelines to Russia. 

The bill currently has 85 bipartisan co-sponsors but has stalled for months amid Trump’s cautious posture.

As The Gaze informed earlier, the European Union is also preparing a fresh package of sanctions aimed at tightening the financial and energy noose on Moscow.