Press Releases

Washington, DC—June 25, 2020....Today, Congressman Steve Womack (R-AR), led by Congressmen Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Denny Heck (D-WA), Mike Turner (R-OH), and Ruben Gallego (R-AZ), supported the introduction of legislation that would clarify and expand sanctions on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline as an original cosponsor.

This legislation extends sanctions already placed on the pipeline project through the NDAA provision, H.R. 3206, which was signed into law on December 20, 2019. As such, the bill is titled the Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Clarification Act of 2020. In addition to Rep. Womack's support, other original cosponsors include: Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Rob Bishop (R-UT), Dean Philips (D-MN), and Elise Stefanik (R-NY). A bill number is forthcoming from the Clerk’s Office and a Senate companion bill is being led across the Chamber by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

The Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Clarification Act is important as Russia continues to try and exert undue pressure on our European allies and their energy supply. Following the bill's introduction today, the Members released these statements in support of the measure:

“As the United States and Europe worked together to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia continued their efforts to destroy the transatlantic partnership. Giving Vladimir Putin the ability to hold our allies hostage through the completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline will never be an option,” said Congressman Kinzinger. “This legislation is a step we need to take to stop this power grab by Putin, and I’m glad to have so many of my colleagues joining me in this effort. We look forward to working with our German partners to find a solution that will ensure they meet their energy needs in a responsible and environmentally-friendly way.”  

“The Nord Stream 2 pipeline threatens not only Ukraine but the whole of Europe. Energy is another tool used by Putin to attempt Russian domination of a free and prosperous Europe. I am proud that Congress has moved swiftly to enact additional sanctions to prevent the completion of this project. The only way to stifle Putin’s ambitions is a united front with our allies,” said Congressmen Heck.

 “I am proud to support this legislation and will be pushing for its inclusion in the NDAA. This bill will lessen Europe’s reliance on Russia and provides necessary additional scrutiny to underscore the importance of Europe’s need for alternate sources of energy,” said Congressman Turner.

 “Russia uses energy to control people and nations who have no choice but to work with them. Nord Stream 2 would increase European dependence on Russian state-controlled entities and should be strongly discouraged,” said Congressman Gallego. “I am proud to work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that our sanctions on this project are air tight.”

“The Nord Stream 2 Pipeline is nothing more than a thinly-disguised Trojan Horse intended to separate Eastern Europe from the rest of the continent. There is no financial reason for the pipeline – it exists to bypass our allies in Ukraine and Poland while increasing Western Europe’s reliance on Russian gas. I am proud to support the strengthening of sanctions on this project through the Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Clarification Act and want to thank the bipartisan, bicameral leaders of this effort,” said Congressman Womack.

“For years, Russia has undermined security in Europe by using energy as a weapon. Nord Stream 2 would only increase Russia’s malign influence, and would bypass Ukraine, a country on the scrimmage line of liberty protecting Europe’s eastern flank from Russian aggression,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “Thankfully, this bipartisan bill will allow for tailored sanctions against pipeline-related activities as we also look to provide increased energy resilience through efforts such as the Three Seas Initiative. I wish to thank my colleague in the House and Senate for their critical leadership and efforts to strengthen European energy security through this bill.”

“I’ve lived in Germany, return often, and have personally spoken with leaders of the German Foreign Office about this issue. Completion of the Nord Stream pipeline is not in the best interest of our European alliance. I urge members of both parties to pass this critical sanctions bill as soon as possible, just as we did on a bipartisan basis in last year’s NDAA,” said Congressman Bishop.

“This bill is an important next step in preventing Russia from further exerting control over European energy markets,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Russia continues to use natural gas exports as a geopolitical tool to weaken some of our closest allies—we must use all tools at our disposal to combat this malign activity.”