Senate Advances Bipartisan Bill Targeting Russia and Iran Sanctions

Salt Lake City, UT, July 28, 2026 —

The United States Senate has moved forward with a bipartisan legislative effort to impose sanctions on Russia and Iran. This significant procedural step was taken shortly after the funeral service for Senator Lindsey Graham, a key proponent of the legislation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was in attendance at Senator Graham’s funeral, also engaged with senators to lobby for the bill’s advancement. The legislation, officially named in honor of the late Senator Graham, aims to address Russia’s ongoing military actions in Ukraine and incorporates measures concerning Iran’s energy industry and arms proliferation.

Both senators representing Utah cast votes in favor of advancing the bill. Senator John Curtis presided over the vote as part of his senatorial duties. The bill has garnered broad support, though some members of the Democratic party have voiced reservations regarding the extent of tariff authority delegated to the president within the proposed measures.

The legislative text is now positioned to proceed through further Senate deliberations. Following its expected passage in the Senate, the bill will then be transmitted to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The specifics regarding the full scope of sanctions and the precise mechanisms for their implementation are detailed within the bill’s text. The legislation’s progression reflects a unified congressional stance on applying pressure to Russia and Iran through economic and trade restrictions, while also highlighting ongoing debates over executive powers in foreign policy matters.

Story summarized from the original created by Cami Mondeaux on www.deseret.com, see more information here.

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