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Kaptur Statement on Nord Stream 2 Sanctions

December 1, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, released the following statement on Nord Stream 2 sanctions and the ongoing debate regarding the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act.

“Energy security assures Liberty’s security at home and abroad. As co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, I have joined a bipartisan group of Members in strongly condemning Russia’s subversive objective of increasing Europe’s energy dependency through construction of its dirty gas Nord Stream 2 pipeline across free nations.

“Recent Russian gas manipulation amounts to an outright blackmailing of Europe during an energy crisis in order to complete this malign influence project. Moreover, Russian buildup of nearly 90,000 troops on NATO’s eastern flank greatly heightens tensions between the free world and the subjugated. The Kremlin’s illegal war on Ukraine has already caused the deaths of 14,000 people and the displacement of millions more.

“Throughout successive Administrations over the decades, the Congress has always served as the backbone of support for Liberty in Central and Eastern Europe. That is why the Congress has voted three times now – on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis – to place sanctions on Nord Stream 2.

“In the most recent FY22 NDAA, the House once again took the lead in unanimously passing further sanctions to prevent the operationalization of the pipeline. While I am deeply concerned with Republicans’ efforts to hold up key nominations, the Congress must not waver in its bipartisan support for Central and Eastern Europe’s energy security during this time of alarming Russian aggression. I urge final inclusion of mandatory Nord Stream 2 sanctions with an appropriate bipartisan Congressional waiver review process parallel to CAATSA.”

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For more information, contact Chris Dalton at chris.dalton@mail.house.gov or (202) 897-7438.