CBS Austin: House passes U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act
AUSTIN, Texas — A resounding show of congressional unity with the Ukrainian people took place in D.C. The House passed the Suspending Energy Imports From Russia Act, a bill introduced by U.S. House Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), in a 414 - 17 vote.
"We know that Ukrainians are paying dearly in blood. Now we will have to pay in dollars, but cutting off the principal source of Putin's funding for his war machine I think is very important," Doggett said.
Congressman Lloyd Doggett explained what's included in this bill and its significance.
"We've seen enough proof of the atrocities the Russians have committed in Ukraine, and I think we need to go full force with any and every sanction we can come up with to isolate Russia from the rest of the civilized world because what they're doing is destroying economic world order and norms," Doggett said.
Along with pressing for Russia to be expelled from the World Trade Organization, this piece of legislation will ban Russian energy imports.
This piece of legislation now awaits Senate action, however, Congressman Doggett said there's plenty of more work to be done.
"The next step is probably on Tuesday to pass what was part of my original legislation from a couple weeks ago, to deny normal trade relations with Russia and with Belarus. It's another way of reducing the flow of revenue that Putin uses to fund his awful war machine," Doggett said.
Congressman Doggett is suggesting sending weapons and jets to Ukraine, but President Joe Biden shared his concerns if that were to happen.
"That's called WWIII," said President Joe Biden.