Trump signs bill imposing sanctions on Russia and giving him more power to levy tariffs

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-18T22:27:20.661Z • Permanent link

Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act into law just two days after it was passed by the House in a bipartisan vote. The legislation, which was co-sponsored by Senator Lindsey Graham, aims to impose sweeping sanctions on Russia, pressuring Moscow to change its behavior on the international stage. Specifically, the bill authorizes the President to impose sanctions on Russian individuals and entities responsible for election interference, human rights abuses, and other malicious activities.

The bill's passage is a significant development in the ongoing US-Russia tensions, which have been escalating since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. In response, the US has imposed various sanctions on Russia, including restrictions on Russian oligarchs and their assets. However, the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act is more comprehensive, giving the President the authority to impose sanctions without needing Congressional approval.

According to sources, the bill was negotiated between Senator Graham and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who has been working closely with the President to craft a comprehensive sanctions package. The legislation is seen as a major victory for Senator Graham, who has been a vocal advocate for tougher sanctions on Russia. "This is a major win for the American people," Senator Graham said in a statement. "We will continue to hold Russia accountable for its actions and protect American interests.

The Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act has significant implications for the research community, particularly those studying Russia and international relations. The bill's provisions on sanctions and counterintelligence will likely impact companies and researchers working with Russian entities, particularly in the fields of energy, finance, and technology. For instance, companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron, which have significant operations in Russia, may be affected by the new sanctions regime.

Furthermore, the bill's focus on election interference and human rights abuses will likely lead to increased scrutiny of Russia's activities in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. Research communities studying these regions will need to be aware of the new sanctions regime and its implications for their work. In particular, scholars studying Russia's influence in these regions will need to be mindful of the potential impact of the new sanctions on their research.

The Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act is part of a larger pattern of US-Russia tensions, which have been escalating since 2014. In response to Russia's annexation of Crimea, the US has imposed various sanctions on Russia, including restrictions on Russian oligarchs and their assets. However, the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act is more comprehensive, building on previous sanctions legislation and incorporating new provisions on counterintelligence and election interference.