The U.S. Senate on July 28 voted overwhelmingly to advance consideration of a new sanctions bill targeting Russia.
Senators voted 86–12 to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to H.R. 5334, the legislative vehicle for the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026.
The vote did not amount to final passage of the legislation. It allowed the Senate to overcome one procedural hurdle before moving toward consideration of the bill.
The following day, senators voted 84–12 on the motion to proceed itself.
The legislation provided for additional sanctions and other measures against Russia, including tools to pressure countries and entities involved in buying Russian energy or helping circumvent existing restrictions.
On August 7, the Senate passed the amended bill by a vote of 86–11.
After further action in Congress, President Donald Trump signed H.R. 5334 — the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 — into law on September 18.
The July 28 vote was therefore an important step in advancing the legislation, but not the point at which the sanctions were finally enacted.