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Dan Gooding

By Dan Gooding

Associate News Editor

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Eleven senators, including one Republican, voted against legislation Friday put forward by the late Senator Lindsey Graham that aims to impose sanctions on Russia and countries seen as supporting the Kremlin.

Graham argued that existing sanctions had not sufficiently reduced Russia's ability to fund its war against Ukraine. His central theory was that Russia's war machine is financed largely through oil and gas sales, so pressure should be applied not only to Moscow but also to the countries buying Russian energy.

Before a vote Friday morning, Connecticut Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal, who supported the bill alongside Graham, paid tribute to his late colleague, saying that passing the legislation would honor Graham's longtime work.

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The bill passed the Senate 86-11, clearing the 60-vote threshold. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul was the lone GOP senator siding with those against the bill.

Among those who opposed the bill Friday was Georgia Senator John Ossoff. A spokesperson for the Democrat told Newsweek that the senator still supports Ukraine's "valiant self-defense" against Russia.

“He does not support the provisions of this bill that delegate massive new tariff authorities to a President who has demonstrated he will wield tariffs recklessly and destructively," the spokesperson said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the U.S. Senate for supporting Ukraine, saying that the passage of the sanctions bill will help increase pressure on Russia and end the war against Ukraine’s independence and people. He emphasized that “Real, strong American pressure and sanctions against Russia are what will help the most” and thanked those working to advance “PEACE through STRENGTH.”

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Senators Who Voted Against Russia Sanctions Bill

Republicans

Democrats

Independent (caucuses with Democrats)

Newsweek reached out to those who voted against the bill Friday afternoon via email.

Senator Lindsey Graham looks on during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on April 27, 2026.

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What Is Included in the Bill?

The legislation championed by Graham would impose some of the toughest U.S. economic penalties yet proposed against Russia, targeting not only the Kremlin but also the countries, companies and financial networks that help sustain Russia's war effort in Ukraine.

The bill would require sanctions on Russian political leaders, government entities, military organizations, major banks and other financial institutions, as well as state-linked energy companies. It would also expand sanctions to entities involved in helping Russia evade existing restrictions, including the so-called "shadow fleet" of tankers used to transport Russian oil outside traditional markets.

A major feature of the proposal is its focus on Russia's energy revenues, which supporters argue are the backbone of Moscow's ability to continue the war.

The bill would prohibit many forms of U.S. investment in Russia, restrict dealings with Russia's energy sector, block Americans from purchasing Russian sovereign debt, and impose additional duties on Russian imports. It also includes provisions targeting Russian uranium imports and limiting financial services provided to sanctioned Russian institutions.

Perhaps the most controversial element was the use of "secondary sanctions" and tariffs aimed at foreign countries that continue purchasing Russian oil and natural gas. Under the proposal, major buyers of Russian energy could face substantial U.S. tariffs and other economic penalties.

Backers of the legislation argued that simply sanctioning Russia is no longer enough because Moscow continues to earn billions from energy exports. Instead, the bill seeks to pressure third countries to reduce their purchases of Russian commodities by increasing the cost of continuing those trade relationships.

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The measure was revised during negotiations with the White House to give the president greater flexibility. While many sanctions would be mandatory, the legislation includes waiver provisions that would allow the administration to suspend or exempt certain sanctions if doing so is deemed to be in the national interest and Congress is notified.

Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul spoke before the vote on his opposition to further tariffs, having been a vocal critic of such measures in the past.

"Do not let sympathy for Ukraine blind you to the reality of tariffs," Paul said on the Senate floor. "Tariffs are taxes on imports that are paid by Americans. They are paid by parents trying to provide for their families. They are paid by students saving up to buy their first car. Tariffs are paid by anyone who seeks to spend money on any conceivable product."

Paul's amendment seeking to remove the tariffs portion of the bill was voted down Friday afternoon.

Why Senators Opposed the Bill

Among those voting against the measure was Delaware Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester, who said in a statement shared with Newsweek that she could not support the bill in its current form.

“Let me be clear: I fully support sanctioning Russia and helping the Ukrainian government and its people protect their sovereignty, and I have consistently voted to support Ukraine," she said. "However, this bill seeks to solve one problem by worsening another. It dramatically expands the president’s tariff authority at a time when he has demonstrated an irresponsible use of it."

Peter Welch, who represents Vermont, said Trump could not be given more power when it comes to tariffs.

“Senator Graham’s dedication to ensuring the United States uses every tool possible to stop Putin’s unjust war on Ukraine was unmatched. Over the past four and a half years, Senator Graham sought every avenue to curb Russia’s aggression, including going after companies and countries buying Russian oil," he said in a press release.

"But this bill misses the mark in achieving the goals Senator Graham worked so tirelessly to achieve by giving President Trump a loophole to impose more destructive tariffs, which will ultimately hurt Americans and our economy."

Why Was Graham Trying to Get It Passed?

In public statements, Graham repeatedly said the bill would:

In January 2026, Graham said the measure would allow President Donald Trump to "punish those countries who buy cheap Russian oil fueling Putin's war machine" and provide "tremendous leverage" over major purchasers of Russian energy.

In February 2026, he described the legislation as a "game changer" and argued that targeting Russia's energy customers, particularly China, would be the most effective way to force Putin toward a negotiated settlement.

New Hampshire Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement after Friday's vote that the bill would lead to historic sanctions.

"This bill aims squarely at the malign actors continuing to bankroll Russia’s war through their purchases of Russian oil and gas—especially China," Shaheen said. "Any country that willfully supports Russia’s war machine by purchasing its energy exports is now on notice that they will face severe consequences if they continue."

What Happens Next

The bill now goes back to the House, where it is expected to pass when lawmakers return, before heading to the president's desk.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Gabe Whisnant, Sam Wilson and Anna Commander

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