US Senator Blumenthal hopes Graham bill on sanctions against Russia will pass in September

US Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, co-author of the Russia sanctions bill, has said he hopes the bill will finally be passed in September 2026.

Source: Blumenthal at a press conference in Kyiv, as reported by a European Pravda correspondent

Details: Blumenthal said the bill enjoys strong support among Republicans.

Quote: "It has very strong support on the Republican side. I'm hopeful that it will on the Democratic side as well, just as it did in the United States Senate."

More details: Blumenthal said the bill "will be scorching in its secondary sanctions, but also in the direct sanctions on oligarchs, financial institutions, related industries, the evasion enablers and… on the shadow fleet".

He said the key factors are sanctions enforcement and the position of US President Donald Trump.

Blumenthal said the delay in passing the bill was because of the need to get the green light from the White House following lengthy negotiations with the US trade representative and the leadership of both parties.

He also expressed hope that the bill will finally be passed in September 2026.

Quote: "I hope it will be in September. The House comes back in September, and I've been in very close touch with leadership in the House, and I'm very hopeful that there will be a determination to pass it then."

Background:

• On 7 August, the US Senate passed the Russia sanctions bill with 86 votes in favour. The bill, co-authored by the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal, would impose punitive tariffs on countries that import Russian energy resources.
• Further consideration in the House of Representatives and passage are possible no earlier than September, as lawmakers are on recess until 31 August.
• US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his wish for the bill to include provisions on Iran but indicated he is prepared to sign it out of respect for the late Lindsey Graham.
• Earlier, the US Senate revealed details of an updated version of Graham's Russia sanctions bill.

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