Graham's passing rallied bipartisan backing and expedited the approval of a law that had been stalled since its introduction in April 2025. As the largest importer of Russian energy, China would be the most affected by these measures. The law also includes primary and secondary sanctions against Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, and financial institutions, as well as the so-called "shadow fleet" that Moscow uses to circumvent existing restrictions. Prior to the final vote, the Senate rejected an amendment by Republican Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky, which aimed to remove the executive's authority to levy tariffs on purchasers of Russian energy, by a vote of 32-64. And what this sanctions bill would do is basically cut that off."