Senate Advances Russia Sanctions Bill Honoring Lindsey Graham
A major piece of legislation backed by President Donald Trump has cleared its first hurdle in the Senate, marking one of the first significant congressional actions following the death of a longtime Republican lawmaker.
The vote comes as lawmakers from both parties seek to carry forward a policy that its supporters say reflects the late senator’s commitment to increasing pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine.
The U.S. Senate voted 86-12 on Tuesday to advance a bipartisan sanctions package targeting Russia, legislation now known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 in honor of the late South Carolina senator.
The procedural vote is only the first of several required before the measure can officially pass the Senate.
Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed to fill her brother’s seat following his death, is serving as one of the bill’s lead sponsors.
“There is no greater way to honor Senator Graham’s legacy than to move forward with this bipartisan agreement,” Darline Graham and a bipartisan group of senators said in a joint statement before the vote.
Lindsey Graham had been one of Congress’ strongest advocates for Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Before his death, he said he had secured President Trump’s support for a version of the sanctions legislation.
The bill would significantly expand the president’s authority to impose sanctions on Russian government officials, foreign nationals and financial institutions connected to Russia’s war effort.
It also authorizes the president to impose a 500% tariff on Russian imports.
In addition, the legislation would allow tariffs of up to 100% on countries that continue purchasing large amounts of Russian oil, petroleum products and natural gas.
The measure also gives the president greater authority to target ships used to evade sanctions on Russian energy exports, often referred to as Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire and one of the bill’s cosponsors, said the legislation is designed to strike at the financial resources fueling Russia’s military campaign.
“This legislation is designed to cut off Vladimir Putin’s most important resource in his war against Ukraine: his money,” Shaheen said on the Senate floor.
While the vote demonstrated broad bipartisan support, it does not immediately send the legislation to President Trump.
The Senate must still approve the measure through additional votes after lawmakers return from their August recess.
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The House of Representatives will also need to pass the legislation before it can reach the president’s desk.
Earlier this year, the House approved its own version of a sanctions and Ukraine aid package after members overrode Republican leadership.
Twelve senators voted against advancing the legislation.
Kentucky Republican Rand Paul joined eleven Democrats in opposition.
Several Democrats who voted no argued that portions of the bill would give too much tariff authority to the executive branch.
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“In effect, this would be a blanket delegation of congressional tariff authority to the executive,” Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont said during Senate debate.
The White House has indicated President Trump supports the legislation, which also extends sanctions related to Iran.
The vote took place only hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended Lindsey Graham’s funeral service at Washington National Cathedral.
Following a meeting with President Trump at the White House, Zelenskyy traveled to Capitol Hill, where he met with senators from both parties before observing the vote from the Senate gallery.
Zelenskyy later described Graham as a “true friend” of Ukraine and thanked the United States for its continued support.
Supporters of the sanctions bill argue that increasing economic pressure on Moscow could strengthen the administration’s leverage as negotiations continue, USA Today reported.
The legislation now faces additional votes in the Senate and consideration in the House before President Trump can decide whether to sign one of the most significant Russia sanctions packages considered since the war began.
Breaking: Norway's King Harald passes away
The King of Norway King Harald has passed away
News has just come in, that the King of Norway, King Harald V has passed away and is survived by his son, Crown Prince Haakon and his wife Queen Sonja.
According to the BBC the 89-year-old monarch had been in treatment for 10 days at this point and was receiving treatment for a rare blood condition called haemolytic anaemia, its being said.
For those unversed with the disorder it is where red blood cells end up getting destroyed in the body way faster than the bone marrow can make new ones. It leads to dizziness, shortness of breath and a myriad of other conditions.
On Thursday an official update was also shared, whereby the Palace had revealed how serious his condition was. What is also pertinent to mention is that the royal has been on the throne since 1991, and is considered Europe’s oldest head of state, according to the outlet.
His son, the Crown Prince is also 53-years’ old and has already been serving as regent while his father was on medical leave.
The outlet’s report also says, “King Harald has been treated in recent weeks with cortisone for haemolytic anaemia, a condition that causes the number of red blood cells in the body to be reduced, and leads to fatigue and shortness of breath.”
The official website has also gone down since then, with the simple message, "It is with deep grief that we announce that His Majesty King Harald has passed away. King Harald died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet Friday 28 August at 6:35 AM."
The One Guest At Dolly Parton's Funeral No One Expected
When the world lost an irreplaceable icon, the entire globe stopped to mourn. Yet, behind the scenes, away from the glittering lights and the massive stadium farewells, a deeply personal and shockingly quiet goodbye was taking place. The Queen of Country had meticulously planned her own farewell, dictating exactly who was allowed inside the room. But when the guest list was finally revealed, one specific name left the public absolutely stunned. Who was the unexpected guest, and what does it reveal about the beloved star's final days? Read the full breakdown below and find the complete video analysis at the end of this article.
1. A World in Mourning: The Tributes Pour In
The video begins by painting a picture of the overwhelming global grief following Dolly Parton's passing in August 2026. The tributes were historic. From Paul McCartney to Seth MacFarlane, and from world leaders to ordinary fans, everyone agreed that the world had lost someone truly irreplaceable. President Donald Trump even ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide for an entire week—an unprecedented honor for a country singer, proving just how deeply her philanthropy and universal kindness had impacted the nation.
2. The Quiet Goodbye: Planned to Perfection
Contrary to the massive public outpourings of grief, Dolly’s actual farewell was intensely private. According to the video, Dolly had been planning her own funeral for years to ensure her loved ones wouldn't be burdened with decisions. She explicitly requested to be buried in a comfortable cotton dress and her signature high heels, resting beside her husband of 59 years, Carl Dean, who had passed away just 17 months prior. She requested no massive public service, asking instead that fans donate to her Imagination Library to give children the gift of reading. The actual funeral room in Nashville was strictly reserved for "immediate family only."
3. The Unexpected Guest: A Chosen Family
The climax of the story revolves around the strict "immediate family only" guest list. Sibling, nieces, and nephews were there, but the world was shocked to learn that pop star Miley Cyrus was also invited into that sacred, private room.
While many knew Dolly as Miley’s "honorary godmother," the video reveals the profound depth of their bond. From faxing love notes to discovering they were actual blood relatives (seventh cousins, once removed), Dolly viewed Miley not as a celebrity connection, but as true family. Dolly’s decision to include Miley in her final moments perfectly encapsulated her life's philosophy: she refused to categorize people, choosing genuine love and deep relationships over industry reputation.
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