WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today introduced the Ban Russian Energy Imports Act which would place an embargo on all Russian energy imports including crude oil, petroleum, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and coal.
“Putin’s invasion of Ukraine requires an extraordinary response that includes going after the energy revenues he uses to fund his war machine,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This policy can and needs to be partnered with increasing our domestic production to improve our energy independence and shelter Americans from rising costs.”
Cassidy, Manchin, and Murkowski are joined by Senators John Tester (D-MT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mark Warner (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Rob Portman (R-OH). Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05) will introduce companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) will introduce companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
The Ban Russian Energy Imports Act would:
- Declare a national emergency specifically with respect to the threat to our national security, foreign policy, and economy that exists as a result of Russian aggression against Ukraine and directs the President to prohibit imports of crude oil, petroleum, petroleum products, LNG, and coal from Russia.
- The President has had the authority to take these actions since 1917; this legislation does not grant additional authority. This approach is modeled on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
- The ban would be in place during the national emergency and either the President or Congress would be able to terminate the emergency and the import ban.
- The bill exempts product that is already loaded or in transit at the time of enactment.
A one-pager on the bill can be found here.
In response to President Biden’s absent leadership on energy policy, Cassidy announced that he is working on an energy policy outline that will restore America’s energy independence, address rising global emissions, and prevent high energy costs for American families.
Recent Cassidy work to support American energy production and deter Russian influence in Europe:
September 29, 2021: Cassidy delivered a floor speech lambasting President Biden’s energy policies that have resulted in skyrocketing inflation, rising energy prices, and U.S. job losses.
November 2, 2021: Cassidy wrote an op-ed with Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) on the Biden administration’s counterproductive energy policy that is putting Americans out of work and allowing adversaries like Russia to increase their energy supply.
January 13, 2022: Cassidy voted to pass legislation to sanction the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline and undermine Russian influence in Europe.
January 21, 2022: Cassidy wrote an op-ed for FoxNews.com highlighting the need for the United States to create a new path to lead on climate policy to undermine Russian influence.
January 21, 2022: Cassidy joined Your World on Fox News to discuss the United States’ dependence on foreign nations for oil.
February 3, 2022: Cassidy announced opposition to Biden administration anti-energy Federal Reserve nominee.
February 3, 2022: Cassidy joined Varney and Co. on Fox Business to discuss rising oil and gas prices and the Biden administration’s assault on American’s pocketbooks.
February 5, 2022: Cassidy spoke to the Washington Examiner on the importance of leveraging the United States’ domestic oil and gas to displace dirtier competitor fuels to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
February 8, 2022: Cassidy grilled Biden administration Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the U.S. Department of the Interior nominee regarding the administration’s backwards energy policies that are undermining American energy independence and efforts to reduce global emissions.
February 9, 2022: Cassidy joined the Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox News Radio to discuss the Biden administration’s decision to greenlight the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, preventing U.S. offshore leasing, and the situation in Ukraine.
February 13, 2022: Cassidy joined Fox News Sunday with Sandra Smith to discuss the Biden administration’s energy policy failures in terms of climate, national security, and the economy, as well as the need to put in place an agenda that undermines Russia influence.
February 16, 2022: Cassidy and colleagues demanded answers from Biden administration on shutdown of the Keystone XL pipeline.
February 16, 2022: Cassidy joined The Evening Edit on Fox Business to discuss the energy crisis and Russian aggression in Ukraine.
February 17, 2022: Cassidy led 26 colleagues in urging Biden administration to increase LNG exports, undermine Russian influence.
February 17, 2022: Cassidy, Rubio and Rounds introduced a bill to expedite natural gas exports to U.S. partners, erode Russian influence.
February 19, 2022: Cassidy joined Cavuto Live on Fox News to discuss the Biden administration’s energy policies impact on American jobs, gas prices, and ability to deter Russian aggression.
February 24, 2022: Cassidy spoke to the Washington Examiner arguing the Biden administration has worked to increase the price of oil and gas internationally and here in the United States, while propping up Putin’s influence in Europe.
February 26, 2022: Cassidy spoke to Politico saying, “’The options are limited in the short-term,’ said Cassidy, who has been among Biden’s toughest energy critics. ‘The massive amount of [capital investment] required to develop energy resources cannot be tapped off and on quickly. Everybody wants a solution right now, but you don’t just change on a dime.’”
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