Named for the late U.S. senator, who died in July, the legislation is named the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. The bill passed 262-159 in the House after it was approved in the Senate 86-11 last month.
The goal of the sanctions bill is to penalize foreign buyers of Russian oil, such as China and India, to put a financial strangle of Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin. That strategy is called "second sanctions."
Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-Oklahoma) was one of the “aye” votes in the House measure that passed Wednesday.
Describing his vote on the “Washington Watch” program, Brecheen acknowledged he has taken a public stance to vote against U.S. tax dollars for Ukraine to fight its war. Since the war broke out in February 2023, Brecheen has repeatedly voted “no” and opposed military aid packages in Congress that ultimately passed.
“Our first commander in chief warned us against entanglements, foreign alliances,” said Brecheen, referring to George Washington's famous farewell address in 1796.
Regarding his “aye” vote this week, the GOP lawmaker said the strategy to hurt Russia with commerce persuaded him.
"I have always surmised that the smartest move for us as a nation, when we want to advocate liberty around the globe, is through commerce and not force," Brecheen stated.
"I think that the smartest thing we can be doing, to advocate for peace in that conflict today, is commerce," he also stated.
