Rep Roy's Statements on Senate's Version of Russia Bills

Statement

Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) issued the following statement after votes in the House of Representatives on Thursday:

Today, I voted against the Senate's version of a Russian energy ban, and I did so because the bill did nothing to address the concerns I had about the version put forward by House Democrats last month.

The situation in Eastern Europe calls for a strong approach that serves our interests, and one that tips the balance of power away from Vladimir Putin and towards the U.S. and our allies. A Russian energy import ban calls for us to unleash American energy, which this government has not done. Instead, all the current legislation will do is empower adversaries like Iran and Venezuela while sticking American consumers with higher prices at the pump. Not to mention that the bill still cedes lawmaking authority to the Executive branch.

However, I voted "yes' on the Senate's version of H.R. 7108, Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act. Though I still have some concerns, the legislation before us today was a marked improvement from the house-passed version -- which would have empowered the President to unilaterally sanction virtually anyone he deems responsible for whatever he defines as a "serious human rights abuse." That kind of power is far too easy and ready to abuse, therefore I applaud my colleagues like Senator Paul, who worked hard to remove that language.

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