Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal urged the U.S. Senate to pass a bipartisan bill on new sanctions against Russia as soon as possible, saying it would be “a fitting tribute” to his co-author — the late Senator Lindsey Graham, CNN reports.

Blumenthal said that shortly before his death, Graham enthusiastically discussed the agreement reached with Donald Trump’s administration to advance the bill they had been working on for more than a year.

“This is a damn big deal — we all did a great job,” Blumenthal quoted Graham as saying.

According to the senator, during their last conversation Graham was “more enthusiastic than ever,” so the swift passage of the bill would be the best way to honor his memory.

The document, which is supported by a majority of senators, provides for the introduction of steep tariffs on countries that continue to import Russian oil, natural gas, and uranium.