Sponsors (2)
Introduced December 17, 2025 by Lindsey O. Graham · Last progress December 17, 2025
The bill strengthens U.S. enforcement to choke off sanctioned Russian oil revenues and deter evasion, but does so at the risk of diplomatic fallout, legal challenges over executive seizure authority, and higher costs passed to American consumers.
U.S. taxpayers and federal law enforcement: the bill authorizes seizing vessels carrying sanctioned Russian oil, reducing revenues available to Russia and thereby limiting funds that could finance the war in Ukraine or support hostile actors.
Federal authorities and the U.S. government: the measure builds on prior seizure precedent and strengthens enforcement credibility, increasing deterrence against sanction-evasion schemes such as shadow fleets.
U.S. consumers and middle-class families: vessel seizures could provoke diplomatic tensions or retaliation that disrupt trade and raise fuel and goods prices domestically.
Vessel owners, private shipping companies, and insurers: broad executive seizure authorities may prompt legal challenges and create uncertainty about separation-of-powers and due process for owners and operators.
Taxpayers and consumers: increased enforcement and seizures could raise operational and insurance costs for maritime commerce that are passed through as higher shipping and retail prices.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Urges use of all U.S. authorities, including Article II powers, to seize shadow-fleet vessels carrying sanctioned Russian oil when proceeds may benefit designated terrorist organizations.
Urges the U.S. government to use all available authorities, including inherent Article II powers, to seize or otherwise interdict shadow-fleet vessels carrying sanctioned Russian oil when the sale proceeds may benefit designated foreign terrorist organizations. It documents Russian oil production and exports, the role of a large shadow fleet in moving crude, recent OFAC sanctions on major Russian companies, and prior U.S. seizures of vessels as justification for stronger action. The resolution calls for active enforcement against ships that help move sanctioned Russian petroleum if their revenue could support terrorist groups, emphasizing use of existing sanctions and seizure authorities rather than creating new programs or funding.