Danielle Vinson comments on how Graham bill is picking up speed

Before Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sudden death on July 11, the South Carolina Republican was working on a bipartisan Russian sanctions framework aimed at pressuring the Kremlin by targeting its energy revenues, sanctions‑evasion networks and military supply chain. The World news organization turned to Furman University’s Danielle Vinson for comment on the recently named bill, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026. Vinson, a Furman alum and professor of politics and international affairs, said Graham’s death likely refocused attention on the bill.

“Graham’s passing probably has had a pretty important impact on the president being more excited about sanctions,” Vinson said. “[Trump] has had times where he was willing to ignore or give latitude to [Russian President] Vladimir Putin, even as it relates to Ukraine. He’s had times where he’s been frustrated with Zelenskyy and the Ukrainians. But I think, ultimately, he’s gotten enough pressure within the administration and from Congress that he can’t completely abandon Ukraine.”

The Graham sanctions bill, which recently passed a Senate procedural vote, must clear several amendment votes before heading back to the House for final passage. Vinson commented on the bill’s tariff provision as one of Trump’s preferred negotiating tactics.