Lankford Joins Darline Graham, Blumenthal and 60+ Senators to Hold Purchasers of Russian Oil Accountable

Before his death, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) secured an agreement with the White House on new text to bring sweeping sanctions against the enablers of Russia’s war in Ukraine OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Darline Graham (R-SC) and more than 60 members of the Senate in introducing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 , legislation to hold major purchasers of Russian oil and gas accountable for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the effort last week and secured an agreement with the White House on Friday, before his death. “Putin is a murderous KGB thug, and the countries still buying Russian oil and natural gas know they are funding his war against Ukraine,” said Lankford. “If we cut off Russia’s oil money, we cut off the weapons murdering Ukrainians. Lindsey Graham was an outspoken advocate for the freedom-loving people of Ukraine. Let’s finish what he started and put the pressure on Russia and everyone who bankrolls them.” “Until the very day he passed, Lindsey remained focused on passing the Russia sanctions bill. Passing this legislation would honor my brother’s steadfast commitment to our national security and it would provide President Trump with additional leverage to bring this war to an end. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation and send it to President Trump’s desk,” said Darline Graham. “Ukraine is at a critical crossroads — and we must meet this pivotal moment with a powerful sanctions bill. As Ukraine turns the tide on the battlefield, our Russia sanctions bill would be historically impactful in stopping Russia’s murderous slaughter,” said Blumenthal. “When Senator Graham and I last spoke, he was absolutely exultant, calling from Kyiv with news that President Trump would support this bill to impose scorching tariffs and sanctions on purchasers of Russian oil and stop them from fueling Putin’s war machine. Now is the time to push Russia toward peace. Ukraine is gaining net territory and reaching deep into Russia with its drones and missiles. Sanctions provide a path toward peace. Our bill is the product of lengthy, detailed, difficult bipartisan work, and now has broad bipartisan support. Passing this legislation right now would be a fitting tribute to Senator Graham’s fierce support for Ukraine’s freedom.” Background The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 would impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. The sanctions target Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members, foreign persons, and Russian banks and financial institutions, as well as the Russian Shadow Fleet. The legislation also directs the President to impose up to 100 percent tariffs on imported goods from countries that buy the majority of Russian oil, gas, and enable Russian sanctions evasion. The new text limits these tariffs to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil and gas. Joining Lankford, Graham and Blumenthal in cosponsoring the legislation are Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD); Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY); Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus; and Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Katie Britt (R-AL); Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); Jim Risch (R-ID), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Chris Coons (D-DE); Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee; Michael Bennet (D-CO); Tom Cotton (R-AR), Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Tim Scott (R-SC), Chair of the Senate Banking Committee; Angus King (I-ME); Tim Kaine (D-VA); Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Mitch McConnell (R-KY); Mark Kelly (D-AZ); Thom Tillis (R-NC); Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY); Joni Ernst (R-IA); Jacky Rosen (D-NV); Pete Ricketts (R-NE); Brian Schatz (D-HI); John Cornyn (R-TX); Adam Schiff (D-CA); Tim Sheehy (R-MT); Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); John Curtis (R-UT); John Fetterman (D-PA); Dan Sullivan (R-AK); Tammy Duckworth (D-IL); Gary Peters (D-MI); John Hickenlooper (D-CO); Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS); Martin Heinrich (D-NM); Marsha Blackburn (R-TN); Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD); John Boozman (R-AR); Chris Van Hollen (D-MD); Kevin Cramer (R-ND); Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV); Jon Husted (R-OH); John Hoeven (R-ND); Deb Fischer (R-NE); Jim Justice (R-WV); Mike Rounds (R-SD); Ted Cruz (R-TX); John Kennedy (R-LA); Cynthia Lummis (R-WY); Lisa Murkowski (R-AK); Rick Scott (R-FL); Ted Budd (R-NC); Jerry Moran (R-KS); Tommy Tuberville (R-AL); Dave McCormick (R-PA); Alan Armstrong (R-OK); and Steve Daines (R-MT). You can read the one-pager on the legislation HERE . You can also read the full bill text HERE. ###