Sanctions — 2026-07-28

Senate Expected to Vote on Russia Sanctions Bill Backed by 82 Senators During Zelensky Washington Visit

BLUFGraham's legacy and Zelensky's Capitol visit supply political momentum, but whether the Senate holds a floor vote by mid-August remains genuinely uncertain until the Iran sanctions provision is resolved.

All 100 senators have been invited to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Tuesday evening in the Capitol, coinciding with his Washington visit for the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham 12. Two Senate aides told Reuters the Senate is expected to begin voting on a Russia sanctions bill during Zelensky's visit, legislation Graham had championed for roughly a year before his death on July 11 23. The bill would sanction Russian officials and companies and grant Trump authority to impose tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy, with the rate eased from an original 500% to 100% and carve-outs added for NATO allies to build support 23. Trump has urged senators to add Iran sanctions to the bill, and Senate leaders said they would do so; Antiwar.com reported whether that provision will be included in the version brought to a vote is unclear 3. Zelensky is also scheduled to hold separate talks with Trump at the White House during the trip 3.

Analysis
A Senate floor vote on the Graham-championed sanctions bill is genuinely uncertain over the next three weeks, since the timing hinges on whether the Iran sanctions provision Trump requested is folded into the text senators actually vote on. Moderate confidence reflects consistent reporting on the bill's mechanics but no direct confirmation of the Senate's floor schedule or the final Iran-sanctions text. Passage would trigger discretionary tariff authority on purchasers of Russian energy, with the eased 100 percent rate and NATO carve-outs indicating leadership prioritized broad support over punitive severity. A vote timed to Zelensky's Capitol visit and Graham's legacy supplies political momentum without settling whether the Iran provision survives floor amendment.

3 sources