Bacon, McCaul, Hoyer, Colleagues Introduce the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026

This press release from Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) was published on 2026-08-10 and titled "Bacon, McCaul, Hoyer, Colleagues Introduce the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026".

Bacon, McCaul, Hoyer, Colleagues Introduce the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026

Bacon, McCaul, Hoyer, Colleagues Introduce Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul (TX-10) and Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-05) introduced the bipartisan Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 alongside 15 of their colleagues. This legislation — which honors the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who worked on the bill for more than a year and secured the White House’s support — will hold major purchasers of Russian oil and gas accountable for supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine and extend sanctions that restrict funding for Iran’s energy and weapons sectors. “Putin’s illegal war is failing, but he will not choose peace until the cost becomes too high for Russia and those helping fund his brutality,” said Rep. Bacon, Co-Chair of the House Baltic Caucus. “Senator Lindsey Graham was one of Congress’s clearest voices for Ukraine, understood that Putin only responds to strength, and worked until his final days to advance the toughest sanctions package yet against Russia’s war machine. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act would impose crippling pressure on Russia and those enabling Putin’s aggression, honor Sen. Graham’s commitment to Ukraine’s fight for freedom, and make clear that America stands with Ukraine.” “Senator Graham was a national security giant, a statesman of unmatched conviction, and a personal friend and mentor. We shared a fundamental worldview: America is strongest at home when it projects strength abroad. That’s why he fought so hard for this bill, which I promised him months ago I would introduce in the House,” said Rep. McCaul. “As President Zelensky told me last month when I visited Ukraine, he is ready for a ceasefire — ready to negotiate, as he has been for years. Putin, on the other hand, consistently defies President Trump and the international community by refusing to come to the table. I can think of no better way to honor Senator Graham’s life and legacy than by passing these tough sanctions, which will help force Putin into negotiations and bring us closer to securing Lindsey’s vision of enduring peace in two critical regions of the world.” “Democracy is presently under threat from despotism, and Congress must act to defend democracy and help Ukraine defeat Vladimir Putin’s effort to extinguish its liberty and sovereignty. Our legislation goes after multiple sources of Russian war funding, including its oil and gas sectors, shadow fleet, and financial institutions. I’m encouraged that the Senate passed the companion legislation last week with overwhelming support, and I thank former Chairman McCaul for partnering with me to facilitate action by the House. This action has been delayed too long and will, hopefully, accelerate Ukraine’s success and the ending of this war, one that was initiated illegally by Putin and that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths of Russians and Ukrainians. I hope that we can secure bipartisan consensus in the House and enact a sanctions package that will stem the flow of money to Russia’s war machine and contribute to a Ukrainian victory," said Rep. Hoyer. Earlier this month, an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the Senate voted to pass companion legislation, by a vote of 86-11, led by Sens. Darline Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Jim Risch (R-Idaho). The text of the House bill is identical to the text that passed the Senate. “This legislation was deeply important to my brother, Lindsey, and I’m grateful that it has achieved such a wide coalition of support. Lindsey was committed to achieving a peaceful resolution to this war, and I’m confident that these sanctions will pave the way,” said Sen. Darline Graham. “I’m grateful to Rep. McCaul for leading this effort in the House. The Senate came together in a strong, bipartisan fashion to pass the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, and I hope the House of Representatives will do the same. Russia has waged war against Ukraine for far too long, and this bill assists President Trump in his noble efforts to bring it to a close.” “Representatives McCaul, Hoyer, Wilson, Kaptur, and Fitzpatrick are longtime champions of Ukraine’s cause and I am glad to have them leading our legislation in the House of Representatives. After a massive bipartisan vote in the Senate, we are eager to turn to the House as we fight to get this legislation across the finish line. There is immense urgency in getting this done – July set a record for Russia’s use of ballistic missiles, killing and wounding dozens of Ukrainians, including many children. Cutting off the source of funding – profits from oil