Sen. Graham Breaks With Trump on Graham Act Sanctions Waiver as Rubio Triggers 60-Day Congressional Review

Analysis
Trump's waiver sets aside every operative Russia section before any tariff or sanction took effect, using authority the September signing left open. It also removes the statutory bar on unilateral changes to earlier executive-order sanctions, so Washington can ease them without a congressional vote. Congress is unlikely to pass a bill or resolution in either chamber by December 19, 2026 that blocks or overturns Trump's Graham Act waiver. Criticism from Tillis, Cornyn, Schumer and Graham's own allies is loud, but the waiver authority sits with the president and a binding rebuke would need veto-proof majorities. The fight shifts to Treasury licensing and the diesel deal, where the administration acts alone. Confidence is high, based on a documented executive order, consistent reporting across four outlets with ABC News as the primary account, and no scheduled floor action. The 60-day pause may instead be a genuine economic review tied to oil supply and India's dependence on Russian crude, so sanctions could return once diesel prices ease. Compliance officers and allied capitals should treat the Russia provisions as dormant and expect enforcement to follow presidential discretion, unless Congress moves to block the waiver.