The U.S. Senate just passed S. 5025, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act, by a vote of 86-11. It now heads to the U.S. House, and it needs to pass once congressional representatives return from recess.
Here's why it matters. Russia's economy runs on oil and gas – 20% of its GDP, 40% of its exports. To keep that money flowing to the war machine, the Kremlin relies on state banks, a shadow fleet of tankers, and a global network of enablers.
S. 5025 goes straight after that system:
Sanctions the bankrollers – Russian officials, oligarchs, and entities funding the war; restricts major Russian banks, including the Central Bank of Russia, Gazprombank, VTB Bank, and Sberbank; cracks down on the shadow fleet of tankers and insurers evading oil sanctions; pressures Russia's top energy customers with tailored duties on countries still buying Russian oil and gas; raises duties on Russian imports by up to 500%; tightens U.S. investment restrictions on Russian sovereign debt.
This bill delivers them. But it can only work if the House acts – every day of delay is another day Russia's war economy stays funded. Tell Congressman Hurd to vote yes on the Sanctioning Russia Act.
Neonila Martyniuk
Montrose
