Senate Approves Crapo Bills to Take Firm, Comprehensive Action Against Russia

Press Release

Today, the U.S. Senate passed a pair of bills, by a vote of 100 to 0, championed by U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) to take firm, comprehensive action against Vladimir Putin for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Crapo's legislation revokes Russia's trade status and enacts a ban on Russian oil, demonstrating to the Ukrainian people and NATO allies that Congress is committed to cutting off Russia's funding for its war effort. Shortly after Senate passage, the U.S. House of Representatives also passed the bills. They now head to President Biden's desk for signature.

"[T]his Chamber's efforts reflect the best of what Ukraine desperately seeks to preserve, and that which Vladimir Putin is determined to destroy: freedom and representative government.

"This legislation strikes directly at Putin, and cuts off the lifeblood for his war machine and his autocracy by banning U.S. imports of Russian energy products, including petroleum, natural gas and coal.

"It places Russia and Belarus in the same pariah trade status as North Korea and Cuba.

"The congressional action, including the certification criteria in the bills, is critical because it signifies a standing commitment to the Ukrainian people and to our NATO allies that is more durable than Putin's machinations in Ukraine.

"This legislation will inspire our allies to take similar actions against Russia. As President Zelensky told us when he asked for the ban--'[i]t can be called an embargo, or it can be just morality.'

"Because this legislation is so critical to the support of Ukraine, we must act in unison on these bills, and call on Speaker Pelosi to promptly vote on the legislation in the House--where it will also receive a resounding vote in favor."

Click here to read full remarks. Click here to watch.

Senator Crapo has been pushing for weeks to both revoke Russia's favored nations trade status and ban energy imports, actions that reflect a bipartisan, bicameral agreement reached in March by the leaders of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and U.S. House Ways and Means Committee. Today's legislative success delivers an unmistakable message to Putin: no relief until you stop your aggression and recognize Ukraine's inalienable right to live free and choose its leaders.

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