Britt Supports Russia–Iran Sanctions Bill, Honors Lindsey Graham in Senate Floor Speech

July 28, 2026 - SHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R‑Alabama) on Tuesday delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging passage of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, a bipartisan measure aimed at tightening economic pressure on Moscow and Tehran. The Senate advanced the bill in an initial procedural vote by a wide margin, 86–12.

The legislation would impose penalties on major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, extend the longstanding Iran Sanctions Act, and expand tools available to the U.S. government to target individuals and entities that finance Russia's war against Ukraine.

Britt opened her remarks by reflecting on the late Senator Lindsey Graham, for whom the bill is named. Graham, a longtime advocate for aggressive sanctions against Russia, passed away earlier this month.

"Two weeks ago, I stood alongside so many of my Senate colleagues from both sides of the aisle at a press conference announcing the Russian sanctions legislation," Britt said. "It was just three days before that, that this legislation and this cause lost its champion, Senator Lindsey Graham."

Graham's memorial service at the National Cathedral earlier in the day, adding that "in typical Lindsey fashion, he somehow orchestrated a vote on Ukraine's future, on peace through strength, on that very same day."

She credited Senators Dick Blumenthal (D‑Conn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D‑N.H.), and Roger Wicker (R‑Miss.) for working alongside Graham for more than a year to bring the bill to the floor.

Even after Graham's passing, Britt said his influence remained present in the chamber.

"He told me this legislation would be the most consequential piece of legislation that he ever led and got to the President's desk," she said. "It is an honor to now help champion one of his highest priorities."

Britt argued that the bill comes at a pivotal moment in the conflict, asserting that Russia is "the weakest it has been since the start of the war more than four years ago." She said the measure would give the President "the tools and the economic firepower" needed to sanction individuals who fund Russia's military operations and to deter countries from purchasing Russian oil and gas - which she described as "Putin's financial lifeline."

The bill also includes provisions targeting Iran's regime, which Britt said has "fueled 47 years of terrorism around the globe."

Calling for overwhelming bipartisan support, Britt urged her colleagues to advance the legislation.

Toward the end of her remarks, Britt shared a personal memory of Graham from their trip to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D‑Day. As they departed, she said Graham reminded her of the gravity of decisions made by political leaders.

"He said to me, 'I want you to remember how important the decisions we as political leaders make, because if we fail to do our job, young men and women are sent into harm's way.'"

Graham warned that many world leaders had miscalculated Adolf Hitler - and that similar miscalculations were being made about Vladimir Putin.

Britt closed by urging senators to honor Graham's legacy.

"Let's honor Lindsey's memory the best way we know how - by responding to Putin's war of aggression with a show of strength and voting today to hold the Kremlin accountable."ON, D.C. -