President Donald Trump suggested Congress add Iran and Hezbollah to the bill that places massive sanctions on Russia. The legislation, authored by the late Lindsey Graham, has received renewed attention following the Senator’s death.
In April 2025, Senator Graham authored the “Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025,” which imposed 500% tariffs on Russia and on all countries that trade with it. Graham bragged that the legislation is “the most draconian bill I’ve ever seen in my life in the Senate.”
Initially, the White House opposed the bill, fearing it would tie President Donald Trump’s hands as he attempted to end the war. However, with Senator Graham’s passing, the legislation now appears to have the White House’s support.
“They are seriously thinking – in honor of [Senator Graham] this was his thing; he wanted it more than any other thing. And there is a good chance that it gets done,” the President told reporters at the White House on Tuesday. “But they like to add Iran, and they would like to add Hezbollah to it.”
The legislation appears to have bipartisan support, despite the bill’s extreme measures. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen said passing the bill would be a fitting memorial for Graham.
“There can be no more fitting memorial to Lindsey, his legacy, or the causes he fought for, than to pass this legislation and realize his long-held dream of an independent and secure Ukraine,” she said.
Graham was the most notorious warhawk on Capitol Hill following the death of his long-time friend Senator John McCain.
