House members introduce Graham’s Russia sanctions bill

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced on Monday companion legislation to the Russia sanctions bill that passed the Senate earlier this month, signaling growing momentum behind tougher economic measures against Moscow. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) introduced the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 alongside 16 other co-sponsors, including Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Michael Burgess (R-Texas) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.). The move follows a Senate vote of 86–11 on March 6 approving a similar package targeting Russian oil revenues, arms dealers and financial institutions.

The push reflects escalating frustration on Capitol Hill over Russia’s continued war in Ukraine and its expanding ties with Iran, including joint military cooperation. Lawmakers argue that existing sanctions are outdated and fail to address new tactics, such as drone shipments and shadow fleet oil exports, that help fund Moscow’s war machine. The House version, backed by senior leaders from both parties, elevates the issue ahead of the November election, when foreign policy could influence voter turnout. McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called the bill “a strong, bipartisan response to Putin’s war of aggression and Iran’s complicity.”

The legislation would expand existing sanctions to include Russian officials involved in corruption and Iranian entities supplying drones to Moscow. It also targets foreign banks that facilitate transactions for sanctioned entities. Similar measures stalled in past sessions due to divisions over Iran policy and concerns about global energy markets. But with Ukraine aid stalled in Congress and Ukraine losing ground on the battlefield, political pressure has shifted toward punishing enablers rather than boosting military support.

House leaders plan to mark up the bill in the coming weeks, aiming for a floor vote before Memorial Day. If passed, it would strengthen U.S. leverage ahead of a June G7 summit where allies are expected to coordinate new measures. Failure to act could embolden Russia and Iran while signaling U.S. disunity ahead of NATO’s 75th anniversary. The stakes are clear: either Washington tightens the screws or risks normalizing a global order where aggression goes unchecked.