Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act

Full Title:
Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026

Summary#

This bill would create a wide set of sanctions, trade limits, and other measures focused on the Russian Federation. It requires the President to identify and block property of many Russian officials, vessels, entities, and financial institutions. The bill directs sanctions on major Russian banks (including the Central Bank of Russia, Sberbank, VTB, and Gazprombank), and on foreign persons and vessels that support or help Russia evade sanctions. It would ban new U.S. investment in Russia, prohibit U.S. purchases of Russian sovereign debt, and prohibit exports of U.S. energy products to Russia and new investment in Russia's energy sector. The bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to prohibit trading of securities of issuers affiliated with the Russian government on U.S. national exchanges. It seeks limits on international financial messaging services that enable sanctions evasion and directs action on imports of uranium from Russia and leaders of Rosatom. The bill would raise import duties on goods from Russia (up to 500% ad valorem) and allow duties (up to 100% ad valorem) on goods from countries that purchase Russian-origin oil or gas or facilitate sanctions evasion. The bill includes many exceptions (for humanitarian aid, intelligence and law enforcement activities, certain nuclear cooperation, safety of vessels and crew, NASA activities, wind-down operations, and existing general licenses). It authorizes waivers by the President with required reports to Congress and establishes a process for terminating sanctions that includes certification and congressional review. Title II extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 through 2031. The Act (except the Iran extension) would sunset 5 years after enactment.

What it means for you#

  • U.S. persons would be barred from new investments in the Russian Federation and from buying Russian sovereign debt.
  • U.S. financial institutions would face prohibitions on processing transfers to or from the Russian government or for the direct benefit of Russian officials, unless specifically licensed.
  • Securities of issuers affiliated with the Russian government would be banned from trading on U.S. national exchanges.
  • U.S. exports of energy products to Russia and new U.S. investment in Russia's energy sector would be prohibited.
  • Importers could face much higher duties on goods from Russia; certain foreign countries that buy Russian oil or gas could trigger higher U.S. duties on their exports to the United States.
  • Shipping companies, insurers, and vessels involved in moving sanctioned Russian commodities could be designated and blocked.
  • Exceptions in the bill preserve humanitarian shipments, certain intelligence and law enforcement activities, some nuclear cooperation, NASA activities, safety-of-vessels actions, and allow limited wind-down periods and existing general licenses.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on estimated costs or budgetary effects is included in the bill text. The bill directs executive branch actions but does not provide specific budget numbers or cost estimates.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.