Real bill currently in Congress c/o HR/119/10076
Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
Latest action (2026-08-10): Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, Financial Services, Ways and Means, Rules, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The Framers
“Founders’ Verdict”
Confidence 0.75
Synthesis
Congress has the constitutional authority to impose sanctions on foreign nations under its enumerated powers to regulate foreign commerce (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) and to define and punish offenses against the law of nations (Clause 10), supported by the Necessary and Proper Clause (Clause 18). The bill is a permissible exercise of legislative power, not an infringement on executive foreign affairs, and is consistent with the principle of enumerated but adequate federal powers.
The Constitution vests in Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and to define and punish offenses against the law of nations. Sanctions against Russia and Iran fall squarely within Congress's authority to regulate foreign commerce and to impose penalties for actions that threaten the peace and safety of the United States. The bill's referral to multiple committees is consistent with the legislative process, as each committee may consider provisions within its jurisdiction. The President's role in foreign affairs does not preclude Congress from exercising its enumerated p…
This bill proposes sweeping federal sanctions against foreign nations, which exceeds the limited and enumerated powers granted to Congress by the Constitution. The power to regulate foreign commerce is indeed vested in Congress by Article I, Section 8, but the Tenth Amendment reserves to the states and the people all powers not delegated. The Constitution does not grant Congress the authority to impose punitive economic measures against sovereign nations as a matter of general policy, nor does it empower the federal government to assume such broad discretionary control over foreign affairs wit…
The bill to impose sanctions on Russia and Iran is a constitutional exercise of Congress's enumerated powers to regulate commerce with foreign nations and to define and punish offenses against the law of nations. Such measures fall within the legitimate sphere of federal authority, as the Union must possess the means to regulate intercourse with foreign states and to protect the common interest against external threats. The imposition of economic sanctions is a proper instrument of national policy, consistent with the principle that the powers of the general government are limited but adequate…
The Constitution vests in Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and to make all laws necessary and proper for executing that power. The imposition of sanctions on foreign nations is a legitimate exercise of this authority, as it directly regulates commercial intercourse with those nations. As held in McCulloch v. Maryland, the means chosen by Congress need only be appropriate and plainly adapted to a legitimate end, which this act is.
What should pass
“AI Consensus Solution”
Countering Russian and Iranian Aggression Through Targeted and Accountable Sanctions Act of 2026
To impose economic and diplomatic sanctions on Russia and Iran to counter their destabilizing activities and threats to international peace and security.
Bipartisan rationale: This honors Democratic priorities by including human rights provisions, humanitarian exceptions, and robust congressional oversight, and honors Republican priorities by using the full scope of enumerated constitutional powers, matching the original anti-Iran/Russia posture, including a sunset clause, and preserving executive waiver authority for national security.
Vote-count path: ~265 House votes: 150 Democrats (backing oversight and human rights) + 115 Republicans (backing sanctions and sunset); ~63 Senate votes: 45 Democrats + 18 Republicans who favor a robust but time-limited legislative response.