As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the US Capitol, a majority of senators from both parties voted to advance legislation intended to strike at the economic foundations of Russia's war.
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Graham's principal Democratic partner in crafting the legislation over the past year and a half, called the vote "a profoundly solid vote for Ukraine."
"Ukraine's fight is our fight," Blumenthal said, arguing that the legislation would stop "the flow of blood money" financing Russia's invasion.
Responding to a question about the message being sent to Putin, Blumenthal delivered perhaps the night's strongest political statement.
“This bill says to Vladimir Putin: your days of war are numbered. You are on the losing side. Better to come to the table now than sacrifice more lives, waste more money, crater your economy, destroy your standing in the world. America stands with Ukraine,” he said.
Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi described the vote as "more than a tribute" to Graham, calling it an overwhelming bipartisan demonstration that lawmakers across the political spectrum support increasing economic pressure on Russia.
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