S 5025: Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026

S 5025 in plain English: This bill would impose sweeping sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions targeting Russia. It would require the President to sanction specific Russian officials and entities, raise tariffs on Russian goods up to 500%, and penalize countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas with tariffs up to 100%. It also bans U.S. exports of energy to Russia and blocks Americans from new investments in Russia.

Stated purpose

This bill aims to impose broad sanctions, tariffs, and trade restrictions on Russia, targeting its government, military, financial institutions, and those who help it evade penalties, in order to pressure Russia economically.

Key points

• Raises tariffs on all goods imported from Russia up to 500% ad valorem
• Imposes tariffs up to 100% on goods from countries that are top buyers of Russian oil and gas after enactment
• Requires sanctions on Russian President, certain military commanders, and anyone supporting Russia's defense industry
• Bans U.S. exports of energy products to Russia and blocks Americans from new investments or purchasing Russian sovereign debt
• Prohibits trading securities of Russian government-linked entities on U.S. stock exchanges

Arguments supporters make

• Imposing steep economic costs is one of the strongest tools available to pressure Russia to stop its military aggression without direct military involvement.
• The bill has broad bipartisan support, showing that protecting allies and deterring authoritarian aggression is a shared American value across party lines.
• Targeting third countries that keep buying Russian energy closes loopholes that have allowed Russia to fund its war effort despite earlier sanctions.

Arguments opponents make

• Tariffs as high as 500% on Russian goods and 100% on goods from countries buying Russian energy could raise prices for American consumers and disrupt global trade relationships with important partners.
• Sweeping secondary sanctions on foreign nations risk alienating allies and trading partners who depend on Russian energy, potentially pushing them closer to Russia or China rather than the U.S.
• The President's broad waiver power means the bill's tough measures could be set aside by any administration that decides enforcement is not in the national interest, weakening its stated deterrent effect.

Tradeoffs

The bill trades potential economic costs to U.S. consumers, businesses, and foreign trading relationships for increased pressure on Russia; it also balances a firm, congressionally mandated sanctions regime against executive flexibility through a national-interest waiver.

Current status in Congress: In committee.

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