Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal are urging quick action by the US as Russia escalates its war in Ukraine, including the passage of a bipartisanbill they've introduced implementing sanctionson Moscow that they say could be the "sledgehammer" PresidentDonald Trumpneeds to end the conflict. The legislation, which would allow the president to levy a 500% tariff on imports from countries that purchase Russian uranium, gas and oil, has gained momentum in the Senate as Trump has signaled he will escalate US action against Russia. "(Blumenthal) and I have got 85 co-sponsors in the United States Senate for congressional sanctions with a sledgehammer available to President Trump to go after Putin's economy and all those countries who prop up the Putin war machine," Graham said on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump told reporters later Sunday that "we will see tomorrow" when asked whether he would announce sanctions against Russia, noting he'll meet on Monday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. "I am very disappointed with President Putin, and I thought he was somebody that meant what he said, and he'll talk so beautifully, and then he'll bomb people at night. We don't like that," Trump added. Graham and Blumenthal recently returned from Rome, where they attended a conference focused on Ukraine's recovery and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders. Blumenthal said European allies expressed to the lawmakers that any potential US sanctions would "have to be tough and rigorous to change behavior." Russia conductedits largest drone assaulton Ukraine since the start of its full-scale invasion last week, launching 728 drones and 13 missiles in strikes that killed at least one person, according to Ukrainian officials. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters last week that he could bring the bill to the floor by the end of the month, something he had indicated he would not do without the Trump's approval. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday he would bring a bill to crack down on Russia to the House floor if it passes in the Senate, telling Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures With Maria Bartiromo" there's a "big appetite" in his chamber for tough sanctions. Still, Trump has not yet publicly endorsed the bill, saying last week that he was "looking" at it and that the legislation will advance at his "option," though Graham has said the president gave him the go-ahead. In recent days, Trump has announced a deal to send US weapons to war-torn Ukraine through NATO, includinganother Patriot air defense system. He has also recently ramped up his rhetoric against Putin, a stark reversal from his previous, sometimes conciliatory, approach as his frustration with the leader grows. The president told NBC on Thursday that he will have "a major statement to make on Russia on Monday." Graham and Blumenthal, who will also meet with Rutte during a dinner with lawmakers on Monday, predicted that Trump will soon allow NATO allies to tap into seized Russian assets to help aid Ukraine. "Just stay tuned for tomorrow's announcement; the idea of America selling weapons to help Ukraine is very much in play," Graham said on "Face the Nation" on Sunday. "We want to make use of the seized assets, again, in a unified way. I think a multifaceted approach here is the only way to bring Putin to the table, because he's a thug," Blumenthal said. He noted that European countries are already planning to mobilize their Russian assets, and that "it's time" for the US to also allow access to its $5 billion in seized assets. Graham said Putin "has calculated that we would get tired and Europe would get weary. He made a huge mistake," adding, "NATO is bigger and stronger and we're more committed to ever to make sure he does not take Ukraine by force." "Congress is on the verge of passing the most consequential sanction package in the history of the country," the South Carolina Republican said. "It will give President Trump tools he doesn't have today, a literal sledgehammer." This story has been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com
