Senate Passes Russia Sanctions Bill After 4 Years of War
The Senate passed a sweeping Russia sanctions bill on August 7, 2026, marking the most significant legislative push for Ukraine since the war began over four years ago. The bill was negotiated by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham before his death and passed with bipartisan support.
The legislation authorizes the president to impose tariffs on the five largest purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas. China and India, both major buyers of Russian energy, are among those subject to penalties under the bill.
The vote came roughly a week after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Capitol and watched from the Senate gallery as lawmakers took the first procedural votes on the measure.
“Real, strong American pressure and sanctions against Russia are what will help most. Diplomacy comes closer with every step that increases pressure on the aggressor.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, August 7, 2026
The bill now goes to the House, where its path is less certain. House leadership has not committed to bringing it to the floor.
Senate Also Confirmed Cameron Hamilton to Lead FEMA
In the same session, the Senate confirmed Cameron Hamilton as director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with 73 other Trump nominees. Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL, briefly led FEMA in 2025 before being fired after he publicly opposed eliminating the agency.
FEMA employs more than 20,000 people and has operated without confirmed leadership for much of the past year. Trump threatened to eliminate the agency in the early days of his second term. Hamilton’s confirmation suggests that plan is on hold, though the administration has pledged major changes to how the federal government responds to disasters.
Hamilton returns to an agency under pressure from staffing cuts and a series of major natural disasters. His first task will be stabilizing operations while managing a restructuring his own administration is still designing.
What You Can Do Now
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Call your House representative at (202) 225-3121 and ask them to bring the Russia sanctions bill to a House floor vote. Tell them you support tariffs on Russian oil buyers and want a vote scheduled before the August recess ends.
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Contact the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which may review the bill before a floor vote. Find your representative’s committee assignments at house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative and ask staff directly whether the chair has committed to a hearing.
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Ask your senators on the record whether they voted for the Graham sanctions bill. Use the Senate vote roll call at senate.gov to verify their vote, then share it with local media or post it publicly to hold them accountable.
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Contact your House member about FEMA funding if you live in a state that has received a federal disaster declaration in the past two years. Tell them that restructuring FEMA during active disaster season puts lives at risk and that you expect Hamilton to be given the resources to run a fully staffed agency.