Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) on Sunday called on lawmakers to approve a Russia sanctions bill as a tribute to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who died Saturday evening from a brief, sudden illness. The legislation, which Graham had been championing for months, aims to impose severe economic penalties on Moscow and bolster Ukraine in its war against the Kremlin.
In a statement posted to X, Shaheen recalled that just days before his death, she, Graham, and Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) had secured White House support for the sanctions package. Graham had described it as one of the most consequential efforts of his career. Shaheen argued that passing the bill would be the most fitting memorial to his legacy.
“There can be no more fitting memorial to Lindsey, his legacy, or the causes he fought for, than to pass this legislation and realize his long-held dream of an independent and secure Ukraine,” she wrote.
The bill, known as the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, originally proposed 500 percent tariffs on nations that purchase Russian oil and gas. It garnered 85 co-sponsors in the Senate. Though the exact changes made during negotiations with the White House remain unclear, the agreement signals strong bipartisan momentum.
Blumenthal echoed Shaheen’s sentiment, writing on X that Graham was “as enthusiastic and exuberant as I’ve ever seen him” when they last spoke. “Passing the sanctions bill right away would be a fitting tribute,” he added.
Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) also pushed for swift action during an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation. He noted that more than a veto-proof majority of senators had co-sponsored earlier sanctions legislation in the House. “With the White House’s support, this bill could be on the president’s desk this week,” Turner told anchor Margaret Brennan.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said he would introduce a companion House bill this week, further underscoring the bipartisan drive to pass the measure quickly.
The push to enact the sanctions comes as lawmakers grapple with the sudden loss of Graham, a hawkish voice on foreign policy who had close ties to former President Donald Trump. For months, Graham had pressed the second Trump administration to impose what he called “bone crushing” economic penalties on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Shaheen described Graham as “a tireless advocate for America’s indispensable global role,” with a particular focus on supporting Ukraine. “Just days ago, we were at the NATO Summit together, pushing toward this goal,” she said, reflecting on their final collaboration.
The FBI has joined the investigation into Graham’s sudden death, and South Carolina officials are already preparing to name a replacement under state law. As the Senate mourns, the Russia sanctions bill has emerged as a central piece of his legacy—one that colleagues across the aisle are determined to see through.
