Trump Says Russia Sanctions Bill Has ‘Good Chance’ of Passing in Graham’s Honor

US President Donald Trump has indicated that Congress could soon approve a new sanctions bill targeting Russia, describing the measure as a tribute to the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of its chief architects.

Speaking alongside Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House on Tuesday, Trump was asked whether he expected to sign the legislation within the next week or two.

“I know Lindsey wanted it very badly,” Trump responded, adding that lawmakers could expand the measure to include Iran and Hezbollah.

“That would be very important if they actually do that. They could also add Hezbollah. So if you do business with Hezbollah, you would also come under the law,” he added.

The proposal remains under consideration, according to the US president, who suggested it could advance as part of Graham’s political legacy.

“He wanted this more than almost anything else. You know how important it was to him. There is a good chance it will pass,” Trump said.

Graham had championed the bipartisan legislation alongside Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal. The measure is designed to deprive Moscow of revenue used to finance its war against Ukraine by targeting countries that continue buying Russian oil, gas and other exports.

A revised version unveiled Tuesday narrows the proposed tariffs to the world’s five largest purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas and reduces the maximum tariff from the original 500% to 100%. It also gives the president broader authority to waive sanctions when deemed in the US national interest.

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Shortly before his sudden death, Graham announced that lawmakers had reached significant progress with the White House on a version of the bill acceptable to the Trump administration. He had just returned from Ukraine, where he expressed optimism that sweeping new economic pressure on Russia was finally within reach.

Senate leaders from both parties have since called for the legislation to be advanced in Graham’s honor, with some lawmakers proposing that the bill be named after him.