Suspending Energy Imports From Russia Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 973, I call up the bill (H.R. 6968) to prohibit the importation of energy products of the Russian Federation, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.
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Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I stand here today in a moment of great sorrow as the Ukrainian people continue to endure the brutal and unprovoked assault by Russia upon their independence.

We have all witnessed the heartbreaking footage of this war's innocent victims. We heard the harrowing stories of families who have been torn apart and forced to leave their country. We have watched with admiration as the Ukrainian people have courageously defended their homeland.

Madam Speaker, tonight, we are all Ukrainians. This unprovoked, unjustified invasion is a horrific stain on humanity. This evening, we here in this Congress will firmly condemn Putin's aggression with the legislation that is before us. Inaction is not an option.

I am very pleased, once again, that the Committee on Ways and Means, in a bipartisan manner, has led the development of this package that will take decisive action to exact economic pain on Putin and his regime.

The Russian regime relies on energy sales to fund many of its offenses. This bill will cut off some of the revenue with a ban on the import of Russian oil and energy products into the United States. The more economic pain we inflict on Putin, the more pressure he will feel to finally end this brutal campaign of terror on the Ukrainian people. I don't think tonight the people of Ukraine think that Vladimir Putin is a genius.

Madam Speaker, this legislation also takes steps to review Russia's participation in the World Trade Organization. This is an international organization comprised of 150 nations. Membership is a privilege that comes with responsibilities, and bad actors who destabilize global security should not enjoy the economic benefits of belonging to that body.

Madam Speaker, I am committed to providing and punishing Russia at the WTO as we proceed. Broad bipartisan support exists in this Congress for these meaningful actions to hold Putin accountable and full support for the Ukrainian people. With this legislation, we reaffirm our commitment to peace and to democracy.

Madam Speaker, I urge our colleagues to support this consequential moment and act accordingly, and I look forward to its swift passage into law.

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Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I just want to reassure the gentleman that I remain committed to the position he has offered as it relates to the World Trade Organization and a suspension of Russia's partnership in WTO. Making sure that we do that in the right procedure I think is the challenge before us, but I agree with the point that the gentleman has made.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett).
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Mr. NEAL. Chu).

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Mr. NEAL. Davis).

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6968, suspending energy imports in response to Russia's barbaric, inhumane, and unprovoked attacks on Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. These imports include crude oil, petroleum, coal, coal products, natural gas, and other products.

On March 8, President Biden issued an executive order to prohibit energy imports from Russia, which I totally agree with. Mr. Speaker, I support and urge passive of H.R. 6968.
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Mr. NEAL. Maloney).

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation banning Russian oil and gas imports and imposing additional sanctions to punish Putin and his cronies for their war of aggression in Ukraine, which has caused more than 2 million Ukrainians to flee their country.

President Biden has already imposed swift and severe consequences, including yesterday's executive action. However, it is the duty of Congress to join the President, enact a congressional ban on Russian oil and gas imports to the U.S., and send a strong message to the Kremlin that none of our money will be used to bankroll shelling of Ukrainian families.

Yesterday, the Oversight and Reform Committee held a bipartisan briefing with U.S. and Ukrainian Government officials. The message was clear: Putin's regime must be denied these crucial oil revenues while we continue to provide urgently needed aid to Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this legislation for the good of the United States and the support of Ukraine.

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Mr. NEAL. Kaptur), who represents 50,000 Ukrainian Americans.
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Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

This evening's debate is about holding Putin accountable for his unprovoked attack on the Ukrainian people. What we are talking about here is responsible use of trade policy as a powerful tool not only to condemn Putin's aggression and pursue peace but to act.

I hope in this moment, when we are in such a dire state, we would not use the opportunity just for partisan argument but try to focus very hard on the real task at hand, which is holding Putin accountable.

Mr. Speaker, our trade policy is a powerful tool, and this evening we will have an opportunity not only to condemn Putin's aggression, but just as importantly, to act upon it.

This legislation to ban the import of Russian energy products and evaluate Russia's access to the WTO will help to hold this brutal dictator accountable. We can and will do more.

I will continue to explore, as Mr. Brady noted, how we can utilize the full jurisdiction of the committee to stand up to Putin and to protect the Ukrainian people.

Let me, however, take a moment to congratulate Joe Biden for the manner in which he has assembled a multilateral alliance across the globe to condemn and to combat this dictator. When you consider that not only have our traditional allies in NATO--which was condemned at one time--we now can understand why it has been so enduring.

Just as importantly, beyond Western Europe and NATO, the Swiss, the Finns, the Swedes, the Japanese, the Kenyans, like most of the rest of the civilized world, have stood with us in this moment of challenge. Tonight, let us all stand with the Ukrainian people and support this legislation.

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