Media: Russia sanctions bill secures enough Senate votes, awaits floor debate

A bipartisan US Senate bill proposing sweeping new sanctions against Russia has secured enough support to pass the chamber, although its future now depends on when it is scheduled for debate, according to Axios.

The legislation, originally introduced by the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, has attracted at least 61 co-sponsors, including 39 Republicans and 22 Democrats, giving it the votes needed for Senate approval if brought to the floor.

Despite the growing bipartisan backing, congressional sources told Axios that the biggest hurdle is finding time for debate, with no timetable yet set for consideration of the measure.

If approved by the Senate, the legislation would still need to pass the House of Representatives before it could be sent to the president for signature.

The bill, informally dubbed the “sanctions from hell”, proposes imposing 500% tariffs on countries that continue purchasing Russian energy exports, in what supporters have described as one of the toughest sanctions packages ever considered against Moscow.

Graham had spent more than a year campaigning for the legislation. However, after returning to the United States from a visit to Kyiv in July 2026, he died unexpectedly, casting uncertainty over whether the proposal would retain momentum.

By Aghakazim Guliyev