Expressing Support of Three Seas Initiative in its Efforts to Increase Energy Independence and Infrastructure Connectivity

Floor Speech

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Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Chairman Espaillat for the time in support of H. Res. 672, which is a bipartisan resolution, and I appreciate his help in moving it through the subcommittee and committee. This resolution was introduced with our colleague, Congressman Adam Kinzinger. I want to thank Ranking Member Smith for his years of dedication on the committee as well.

This resolution expresses robust support for the Three Seas Initiative to accelerate the development of cross-border infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe.

I am also very grateful to the chairman of the full committee, Eliot Engel, who has given the best years of his life to this country and our interests around the world, and to Ranking Member McCaul and Congressman Keating for their commitment to strengthen the Transatlantic Alliance.

I thank again my colleague, Congressman Kinzinger, for his partnership to shepherd this resolution to the floor.

I also extend special thanks to Majority Leader Hoyer and his staff associate Daniel Silverberg for their support.

Throughout the Cold War, the United States led efforts to expand liberty in Europe. After the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the United States welcomed the people of the region into the community of democratic nations. Yet Soviet tyranny left this strategic region without a significant infrastructure--actually a huge infrastructure deficit--increasing dependence on malign influence from Russia and, yes, China, too.

Tragically, Russia seeks to divide Europe by exploiting Europe's energy dependence, including through the Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipelines. Meanwhile, Chinese state-linked companies like Huawei offer predatory financing to capture Europe's telecommunications networks creating surveillance vulnerabilities.

In response, 12 U.S. allies in Central and Eastern Europe launched the Three Seas Initiative and Investment Fund. The initiative provides a critical platform to pool financing to construct infrastructure projects free from malign influence. Currently, the Three Seas fund totals $1.4 billion. The first investment has been made in the transportation infrastructure sector.

This resolution encourages Three Seas member nations to increase investments into the fund. Further, it strongly urges that the vision of a cross-border cooperation be extended to non-E.U. nations such as Ukraine and Moldova. Importantly, this legislation encourages support for financing of clean energy to counter the scourge of climate change. Following this resolution's introduction, the United States pledged up to $1 billion to finance energy security projects through the Three Seas Investment Fund.

In conclusion, the transatlantic relationship is the bedrock of U.S. foreign policy. Out of the ashes of two world wars, visionary leaders created institutions like NATO to protect and expand liberty.

The Three Seas Initiative--this time launched and led by our Allies-- is the next step to complete the transatlantic project. It will ensure a Europe in this 21st century that is whole, free, and at peace.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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