US Senate Plans Russia Sanctions Vote by August

Republican leaders in the U.S. Senate and House, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, are poised to advance bipartisan legislation imposing harsh sanctions on Russia and buyers of Russian fossil fuels. The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, would levy a 500% tariff on imports from countries that continue purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products, aiming to pressure Russia and its key buyers like China and India. President Trump has expressed his consideration to support the bill but seeks changes to preserve presidential authority over foreign policy decisions and avoid micromanagement by Congress. Despite some push to delay or soften the bill, substantial progress has been made in negotiations with the White House, and Senate leaders hope to bring the legislation to a vote before the August recess. The bill enjoys broad bipartisan support, with 83 cosponsors, and is viewed as a tool to enhance the president's leverage to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Increasing drone attacks by Russia on Ukraine underscore the urgency of congressional action on sanctions.