U.S. Senator Katie Britt Calls for Bipartisan Support for Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026

“Let’s honor Lindsey’s memory the best way we know how, by responding to Putin’s war of aggression with a show of strength and vote today to hold the Kremlin accountable.” WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) on Tuesday spoke on the Senate Floor in support of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 ahead of an initial procedural vote, which was agreed to by a tally of 86-12 . The bill, widely supported by a bipartisan group of senators, would hold major purchasers of Russian oil and gas accountable for supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine, extend the Iran Sanctions Act , and more. A brief excerpt of the Senator’s remarks are below: “Two weeks ago, I stood alongside so many of my Senate colleagues from both sides of the aisle at a press conference announcing the Russian sanctions legislation. It was just three days before that, that this legislation and this cause lost its champion, Senator Lindsey Graham. Today, many of us attended his service at the National Cathedral, and in typical Lindsey fashion, he somehow orchestrated a vote on Ukraine’s future, on peace through strength, on that very same day. “While this sanctions bill quickly amassed bipartisan support across the Senate, it took more than a year of tireless work by one man and a few friends—Senator Dick Blumenthal, Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Roger Wicker—to finally get this to the floor. Even though Lindsey is not physically with us today, his presence can certainly be felt in this chamber. “During his 33 years of public service, Lindsey achieved a great deal. He used his role on the Senate Appropriations Committee to make sure that South Carolina’s hard earned taxpayer dollars came back home. He was a fierce and outspoken advocate for the most vulnerable among us, the unborn. He led the fight to repeal Section 230 because he believed in protecting the next generation online. He believed in blind justice, in defending the Constitution, and in confirming judges to the bench who would uphold the law. And he was an incredible colleague, mentor and friend. But, Mr. President, this list of accomplishments, well, it doesn’t even span all of the things he did. “But he said that … this legislation that we are voting on today, he told me would be the most consequential piece of legislation that he ever led and got to the President’s desk … It is an honor to now help champion one of his highest priorities … Today, we have an opportunity to advance this legislation at a critical juncture in the war where Russia is the weakest that it has been since the start of the war more than four years ago. This legislation will give the President the tools and the economic firepower that he needs to sanction individuals who fund Russia’s war and its machine, to stop countries from purchasing Russian oil and gas that is Putin’s financial lifeline, and it will also hold the regime in Tehran accountable for fueling 47 years of terrorism around the globe. There is no reason this legislation should not advance with overwhelming bipartisan support … and I hope that’s what we see here today. … “As I reflected today on Lindsey’s service and his life and so many memories that I have with him, one thing came to mind: When we were leaving Normandy after being there for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. He said to me, ‘I want you to remember how important the decisions we as political leaders make, because if we fail to do our job, young men and women are sent into harm’s way’ … And he said that … people miscalculated Hitler. He said many were doing the exact same thing to Putin, and he believed that that miscalculation would ultimately be an enormous mistake. So, Mr. President, let’s honor Lindsey’s memory the best way we know how, by responding to Putin’s war of aggression with a show of strength and vote today to hold the Kremlin accountable.” You can watch the Senator’s full remarks here . ###