Today, Rep. Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) applauded the passage of H.R. 4278, the Ukraine Support Act. This legislation, which passed on an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 399-19, imposes sanctions on Russia and provides support for the pro-western government of Ukraine.
This legislation will codify the sanctions on Russian officials and will allow additional targeted sanctions to be imposed on corrupt Russian officials. It urges the President to expand sanctions on Russian leaders engaged in massive human rights violations and international aggression. It also authorizes additional American support to the Ukrainian government, which is fully offset by reductions in American aid to Pakistan.
Cook also co-sponsored H.R. 4155, legislation to streamline the approval process for American natural gas exports. While America has emerged as the world's largest producer of natural gas, Russia remains the world's largest gas exporter. This would create thousands of good-paying American jobs while reducing the dependence of key American allies on Russian energy.
Cook said, "Today's passage of the Ukraine Support Act sends Russia a message that aggression will no longer be tolerated and the United States will stand with its democratic allies. The days when a rogue empire like Russia could make war on its neighbors without paying a price have ended. By supporting the democratic government of Ukraine, expanding American energy production and exports, and sanctioning Putin and his cronies, America can deter further aggression and keep the peace in Europe."