Passage of a Russia sanctions bill would be a fitting way to honor the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., according to senators from both major parties.
Lawmakers are rallying behind bipartisan legislation targeting Russia, arguing its passage would cement one of Graham's final legislative priorities after his unexpected death over the weekend.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Monday that approving the measure "would be a great legacy, great tribute to Lindsey," according to The Hill.
The bill enjoys broad bipartisan backing, with 85 Senate cosponsors.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also urged quick action.
"I urge Sen. Thune, in honor of Lindsey, to put the Russia sanctions bill on the floor immediately," Schumer said from the Senate floor. "It will pass overwhelmingly and help our allies in Ukraine."
The bipartisan push comes after Graham announced Friday that he and fellow senators had reached an agreement with the Trump administration to move the long-stalled sanctions package forward.
A White House official confirmed to CNN that President Donald Trump now supports the legislation, a major shift after previously expressing reservations while pursuing negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Asked Monday whether he would sign the bill, Trump said, "Yeah, we're talking about it. … We'll decide very soon on that."
The updated legislation would strengthen sanctions against Moscow while giving Trump authority to impose tariffs on countries that continue purchasing significant amounts of Russian oil, gas, and uranium.
The revised version narrows the scope of an earlier proposal that contemplated tariffs as high as 500%.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., called passage of the bill "the most fitting memorial" to Graham's long-standing support for Ukraine.
Axios reported Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., echoed that sentiment, saying the legislation "would be a good way to show us in a bipartisan way coming together on something that he was literally using some of his last breaths to fight for."
According to The Hill, the latest draft also strengthens congressional oversight by limiting presidential waiver authority, codifying many existing sanctions, and expanding penalties targeting Russia's energy sector, financial institutions, and "shadow fleet" of oil tankers.
The bill had stalled while the White House sought to preserve flexibility in negotiations with Moscow.
But after meetings in Ankara, Turkey, last week, Graham and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., announced they had resolved the administration's concerns.
Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., suggested the measure ultimately be renamed the "Lindsey Graham Sanctions Act," saying the best way to restrain Putin is "to bankrupt the oligarchs."
With Trump's backing and overwhelming bipartisan support, the legislation now appears closer than ever to becoming one of Graham's enduring legislative legacies.