Lindsey Graham (Photo: Heather Diehl / Getty Images)
Just a few days before his death, Graham stated that the draft sanctions bill had been agreed upon with the White House. According to The Wall Street Journal, the bill would expand the U.S. president’s authority to impose restrictions on Russia, as well as allow for the imposition of high tariffs and sanctions on countries that continue to purchase Russian energy resources.
The day before his death, the senator visited Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and toured the facilities of the defense company SkyFall.
For many years, Graham was one of the most consistent advocates for increasing economic pressure on Moscow. In 2018, he co-authored a bill informally dubbed the “bill from hell”, which imposed restrictions on Russian sovereign debt, the financial sector, and other economic sectors.
In early July, the senator announced that the new sanctions initiative had received support from the Donald Trump administration. The bill is considered one of the most ambitious attempts to increase pressure on Russia since the start of Trump’s second presidential term.
Graham’s death occurred just as the bill is making its way through Congress. It is not yet clear whether this will affect the timeline for its consideration or the composition of its key lobbyists. At the same time, the bill has several co-sponsors, and its future will depend on the stance of Senate leadership, the White House, and the level of support among Republicans.
It should be noted that Lindsey Graham has represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2003. Since January 2025, he has chaired the Senate Budget Committee. In addition to sanctions policy, he has actively advocated for increased military aid to Ukraine and a tougher U.S. foreign policy toward Russia.
