Action Alert: Cosponsor the Bipartisan Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (H.R. 10076)

FDD Action Expert Analysis

“Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Putin and his cronies have refused to negotiate in good faith or back away from their unrealistic, maximalist, and often baffling demands. That is why the United States must ramp up the pressure on Russia to end its genocidal campaign in Ukraine and stall its war machine. Few understood this reality better than Senator Lindsey Graham, who tirelessly fought to make the Sanctioning Russia Act into law. Now, his colleagues in the House must take up the mantle to drain Russia’s coffers and make its allies reconsider their support. FDD Action urges all members of Congress to support the legislation and to pass it swiftly.”

— Daniel Vaynshteyn, Associate Director of Government Relations at FDD Action

Why It Matters

• Energy exports bankroll Russia’s war: Oil and gas revenue is the backbone of Moscow’s federal budget. Despite the G7 price cap and related restrictions, loopholes and evasion tactics have continued to route significant revenue to the Kremlin. China, India, and Turkey account for a large majority of Russia’s crude oil exports and serve as hubs for evading sanctions on Russian energy.
• Rising human toll: This July, Russia set new wartime records for the overall number and rate of missiles launched at Ukraine, killing and wounding hundreds of people. Moreover, the UN monitoring mission in Ukraine said this June was the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since early 2022, with at least 293 civilians killed and 1,990 others injured.
• Securing Iran sanctions authorities: The bill extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 for five years. The current authority, which has drawn bipartisan support for three decades, has served as the statutory backbone of U.S. sanctions on Iran’s energy sector since it became law. Now, it is set to lapse on December 31, 2026. This extension closes a gap that Tehran and its Russian partner could otherwise exploit.
• Senate’s overwhelming mandate: The 86-11 vote following months of negotiations led by the late Senator Graham provides the House with a clear path forward.

About the Legislation

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (H.R. 10076) would increase pressure on Russia and its support network by:

• Imposing mandatory sanctions on Vladimir Putin, senior Russian political and military leaders, oligarchs, state-owned enterprises, and foreign companies supporting Russia’s defense industrial base in Sections 102 and 104.
• Sanctioning major Russian financial institutions, such as the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, Sberbank, and Gazprombank. It also includes Russia’s largest state energy projects, including Yamal LNG and Arctic LNG 1, 2, and 3, and their controlling owners and executives in Sections 103 and 104.
• Authorizing tariffs of up to 100 percent on the top five importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, and on the top five countries facilitating Russia’s sanctions evasion in Section 113(a)/(c). This rate is a reduction from the 500 percent tariff proposed in the original 2025 version of the bill.
• Shielding European partners still working to wean off Russian energy by making an exception for minor importers and those cutting imports, as defined by Section 113(d) of the bill.
• Limiting presidential waiver authority. Section 115 requires any waiver to include a signed, written national interest certification submitted to Congress.
• Requiring congressional notification. Section 113(g)(1) obligates the President or U.S. Trade Representative to submit a written justification to six committees of jurisdiction at least 10 days before imposing or adjusting any tariff.