Passing the Lindsey Graham Sanctions Bill Will Cripple Russia’s War Machine

"Energy is the cash cow of Putin's war machine. It is also Russia's Achilles's Heel. Cut it off, and Russia cannot continue to fight. Russia's biggest customer is Communist China. The next is India. They will be hit hard."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today spoke about the importance of passing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026.

Last night, the Senate voted 86-12 to begin consideration of the bill. The bill is designed to strengthen national security and deter aggression from our adversaries.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso's remarks.

Sen. Barrasso's remarks as prepared:

"Yesterday, the Senate honored the life of our friend, Senator Lindsey Graham. Today, it is time to honor his tremendous legacy. The way to do that is to pass the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act. It is a peace through strength bill. No tribute would be more fitting or more forceful.

"This bill strengthens America's national security while pressuring our adversaries to pursue peace. The sanctions in this bill are historic. They target Russia's largest oil exporters. They target Russian leadership. They target Russia's so-called shadow fleet. Russia uses that shadow fleet to evade sanctions on its illegal oil.

"Most importantly, they target other nations that buy Russian oil, natural gas, and uranium. That is the way Russia is financing its brutal war in Ukraine. The penalties are swift and severe. Energy is the cash cow of Putin's war machine. It is also Russia's Achilles's Heel. Cut it off, and Russia cannot continue to fight. Russia's biggest customer is Communist China. The next is India. They will be hit hard. This is the way to cripple Russia's war machine.

"Allies of Ukraine can qualify for exemptions. Those exemptions come from taking serious steps to end their dependency on Russian energy products. For years, Europe spent more money on Russian energy than it sent in aid to Ukraine. That must change.

"Of course, Russia is not fighting Ukraine alone. In Putin's war of aggression, Iran is both Russia's partner and its beneficiary. Iran has supplied Russia with drones, missiles, and munitions. Russia has used these weapons to kill Ukrainian civilians and destroy Ukrainian infrastructure. In return, Russia has shared with the Iranian regime: technology, intelligence, and military support. Iran has used this support to attack American troops and hold the Strait of Hormuz hostage.

"Russia and Iran both employ a shadow fleet of illegal oil tankers. They share sanctions-evading networks. They sell oil to many of the same buyers. They both fund murder and terrorism. They do it with revenue from their energy products. That is why Iran has rightfully been added to this sanctions bill. Together, Russia and Iran have built an Axis of Aggression. Sanctioning those who buy oil from Russia and Iran disrupts that entire Axis at once.

"Passing this bill will make our country safer. It makes our adversaries weaker.

"Senator Graham visited Ukraine shortly before he died. Lindsey was a friend of freedom in Ukraine. He never stopped working to build support for their cause. Lindsey succeeded. This is a bill that has united a broad coalition of United States Senators. I am one of the many cosponsors. Now is the time to pass this bill. Now is the time to push for peace.

"Today, Russia is at a point of maximum weakness. So is Iran. Critical pieces of Russia's energy infrastructure are in shambles. A significant portion of its oil refinery capacity is no longer operable. Energy shortages are being felt all across Russia. At the same time, Iran's military has been severely degraded. Both Russia and Iran still refuse to accept plans for lasting peace. Russia and Iran respond only to strength, not statements.

"It is time for the Senate to act decisively to bring lasting peace. It is time to pass the Lindsey Graham Sanction bill."

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