Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Votes to Ban Russian Oil Imports

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick voted to impose new sanctions punishing Russia for its premeditated, unprovoked war against Ukraine. The Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act bans the import of Russian oil and energy products into the United States – cutting off a major source of revenue for the Russian government as it attacks the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and the safety of the Ukrainian people – in addition to other actions to further isolate Russia economically. 
 

“Today, I voted to impose punishing new costs on the Russian government and further choke off funds from its cruel invasion of Ukraine,” said Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick. “America and our allies have shown historic strength and unity in response to this unprovoked aggression, and the Democratic Congress, together with President Biden, is taking action to further isolate Russia. I proudly stand with the people of Ukraine, and I am committed to ensuring that Russia faces devastating consequences, economically, diplomatically and strategically, for perpetrating this violence.” 
 

This legislation will also take steps to review Russia’s access to the World Trade Organization and explore how the United States can further diminish Russia in the global economy.  Additionally, it reauthorizes and strengthens the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, enabling the United States to impose additional sanctions for the Russian government’s heinous attacks on Ukrainian civilians. 

  
Earlier today, House Democrats passed funding legislation that secures $13.6 billion in humanitarian, military and economic assistance for the people of Ukraine, adding to the more than $1.4 billion in assistance that the United States has provided to Ukraine since 2021. Additionally, as families around the world face Putin’s Price Hike – inflicted by his unprovoked war – President Biden and Congressional Democrats are working to minimize impacts here at home, including by releasing more than 90 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, urging industry and Wall Street to increase production rather than profiteer and exploit this war, and moving America toward a clean energy future. 

  
“As Congressional Democrats take action to punish Russia, we are laser-focused on curbing the impacts of Putin’s Price Hike, as his aggression takes its toll here in America,” Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick continued.  “We are committed to working alongside the Biden Administration to lower energy costs in the United States and speed up the transition to a clean energy future, so that brutal autocrats like Putin can no longer weaponize oil against us and our allies.  Americans will proudly do what it takes to defend freedom and democracy in the world.” 

  

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