[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 21, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H5782-H5787]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STABILITY AND DEMOCRACY FOR UKRAINE ACT
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 5094) to contain, reverse, and deter Russian aggression in
Ukraine, to assist Ukraine's democratic transition, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5094
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Stability
and Democracy for Ukraine Act'' or ``STAND for Ukraine Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Statements of policy.
TITLE I--CRIMEA ANNEXATION NON-RECOGNITION
Sec. 101. United States policy against recognition of territorial
changes effected by force alone.
Sec. 102. Prohibitions against United States recognition of the Russian
Federation's annexation of Crimea.
Sec. 103. Determinations and codification of sanctions under Executive
Order 13685.
TITLE II--SANCTIONS PROVISIONS
Sec. 201. Prohibiting certain transactions with foreign sanctions
evaders and serious human rights abusers with respect to
the Russian Federation.
Sec. 202. Report on certain foreign financial institutions.
Sec. 203. Requirements relating to transfers of defense articles and
defense services to the Russian Federation.
TITLE III--OTHER MATTERS
Sec. 301. Strategy to respond to Russian Federation-supported
information and propaganda efforts directed toward
Russian-speaking communities in countries bordering the
Russian Federation.
Sec. 302. Cost limitation.
Sec. 303. Sunset.
SEC. 2. STATEMENTS OF POLICY.
(a) In General.--It is the policy of the United States to
further assist the Government of Ukraine in restoring its
sovereignty and territorial integrity to contain, reverse,
and deter Russian aggression in Ukraine. That policy shall be
carried into effect, among other things, through a
comprehensive effort, in coordination with allies and
partners of the United States where appropriate, that
includes sanctions, diplomacy, and assistance, including
lethal defensive weapons systems, for the people of Ukraine
intended to enhance their ability to consolidate a rule of
law-based democracy with a free market economy and to
exercise their right under international law to self-defense.
(b) Additional Statement of Policy.--It is further the
policy of the United States--
(1) to use its voice, vote, and influence in international
fora to encourage others to provide assistance that is
similar to assistance described in subsection (a) to Ukraine;
and
(2) to ensure that any relevant sanctions relief for the
Russian Federation is contingent on timely, complete, and
verifiable implementation of the Minsk Agreements, especially
the restoration of Ukraine's control of the entirety of its
eastern border with the Russian Federation in the conflict
zone.
TITLE I--CRIMEA ANNEXATION NON-RECOGNITION
SEC. 101. UNITED STATES POLICY AGAINST RECOGNITION OF
TERRITORIAL CHANGES EFFECTED BY FORCE ALONE.
Between the years of 1940 and 1991, the United States did
not recognize the forcible incorporation and annexation of
the three Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia
into the Soviet Union under a policy known as the ``Stimson
Doctrine''.
SEC. 102. PROHIBITIONS AGAINST UNITED STATES RECOGNITION OF
THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION'S ANNEXATION OF CRIMEA.
(a) In General.--In accordance with United States policy
enumerated in section 101, no Federal department or agency
should take any action or extend any assistance that
recognizes or implies any recognition of the de jure or de
facto sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea, its
airspace, or its territorial waters.
(b) Documents Portraying Crimea as Part of Russian
Federation.--In accordance with United States policy
enumerated in section 101, the Government Printing Office
should not print any map, document, record, or other paper of
the United States portraying or otherwise indicating Crimea
as part of the territory of the Russian Federation.
SEC. 103. DETERMINATIONS AND CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS UNDER
EXECUTIVE ORDER 13685.
(a) Determinations.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report that contains
the assessment described in paragraph (2).
(2) Assessment described.--The assessment described in this
paragraph is--
(A) a review of each person designated pursuant to
Executive Order 13660 (March 6, 2014; 79 Fed. Reg. 13493;
relating to blocking property of certain persons contributing
to the situation in Ukraine) or Executive Order 13661 (March
16, 2014; 79 Fed. Reg. 15535; relating to blocking property
of additional persons contributing to the situation in
Ukraine); and
(B) a determination as to whether any such person meets the
criteria for designation pursuant to Executive Order 13685
(December 19, 2014; 79 Fed. Reg. 77357; relating to blocking
property of certain persons and prohibiting certain
transactions with respect to the Crimea region of Ukraine).
(3) Form.--The assessment required by paragraph (2) shall
be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a
classified annex.
(b) Codification.--United States sanctions provided for in
Executive Order 13685, as in effect on the day before the
date of the enactment of this Act, shall remain in effect
until the date on which the President submits to the
appropriate congressional committees a certification
described in subsection (c).
(c) Certification.--A certification described in this
subsection is a certification of the President that Ukraine's
sovereignty over Crimea has been restored.
(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to restrict the authority of the President to
impose additional United States sanctions with specific
respect to the Russian Federation's occupation of Crimea
pursuant to Executive Order 13685.
(e) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Financial Services, and the Committee on Ways and Means of
the House of Representatives; and
(2) Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
[[Page H5783]]
TITLE II--SANCTIONS PROVISIONS
SEC. 201. PROHIBITING CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS WITH FOREIGN
SANCTIONS EVADERS AND SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS
ABUSERS WITH RESPECT TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION.
The Support for the Sovereignty, Integrity, Democracy, and
Economic Stability of Ukraine Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-95;
22 U.S.C. 8901 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following new sections:
``SEC. 10. PROHIBITING CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS WITH FOREIGN
SANCTIONS EVADERS WITH RESPECT TO THE RUSSIAN
FEDERATION.
``(a) In General.--The President is authorized to impose
with respect to a foreign person the sanctions described in
subsection (b) if the President determines that the foreign
person knowingly--
``(1) has materially violated, attempted to violate,
conspired to violate, or caused a violation of any license,
order, regulation, or prohibition contained in, or issued
pursuant to any covered Executive order; or
``(2) has facilitated significant deceptive or structured
transactions for or on behalf of any person subject to United
States sanctions concerning the Russian Federation.
``(b) Sanctions Described.--
``(1) In general.--The sanctions described in this
subsection are the exercise of all powers granted to the
President by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
(50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the extent necessary to block and
prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in
property of a person determined by the President to be
subject to subsection (a) if such property and interests in
property are in the United States, come within the United
States, or are or come within the possession or control of a
United States person.
``(2) Penalties.--A person that is subject to sanctions
described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to the penalties
set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705)
to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act
described in subsection (a) of that section.
``(c) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of
sanctions under subsection (b) on a case-by-case for a period
of not more than 120 days, and may renew that waiver for
additional periods of not more than 120 days with respect to
a person if the President determines that such a waiver is in
the national interests of the United States and on or before
the date on which the waiver takes effect, submits to the
appropriate congressional committees a notice of and
justification for the waiver.
``(d) Implementation Authority.--The President may exercise
all authorities provided to the President under sections 203
and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
(50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) for purposes of carrying out this
section.
``(e) Regulatory Authority.--The President shall issue such
regulations, licenses, and orders as are necessary to carry
out this section.
``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
`appropriate congressional committees' means--
``(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Financial Services, and the Committee on Ways and Means of
the House of Representatives; and
``(B) Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
``(2) Covered executive order.--The term `covered Executive
order' means any of the following:
``(A) Executive Order 13660 (March 6, 2014; 79 Fed. Reg.
13493; relating to blocking property of certain persons
contributing to the situation in Ukraine).
``(B) Executive Order 13661 (March 16, 2014; 79 Fed. Reg.
15535; relating to blocking property of additional persons
contributing to the situation in Ukraine).
``(C) Executive Order 13685 (December 19, 2014; 79 Fed.
Reg. 77357; relating to blocking property of certain persons
and prohibiting certain transactions with respect to the
Crimea region of Ukraine).
``(3) Foreign person.--The term `foreign person' has the
meaning given such term in section 595.304 of title 31, Code
of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the
enactment of this Act.
``(4) Structured.--The term `structured', with respect to a
transaction, has the meaning given the term `structure' in
paragraph (xx) of section 1010.100 of title 31, Code of
Federal Regulations.
``(5) United states person.--The term `United States
person' has the meaning given such term in section 589.312 of
title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the
date of the enactment of this Act.
``SEC. 11. PROHIBITING CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS IN AREAS
CONTROLLED BY THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION.
``(a) In General.--The President is authorized to impose
with respect to a foreign person the sanctions described in
subsection (b) if the President determines that the foreign
person, based on credible information--
``(1) is responsible for, complicit in, or responsible for
ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, the commission
of serious human rights abuses in any territory forcibly
occupied or otherwise controlled by the Government of the
Russian Federation;
``(2) has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided
financial, material, or technological support for, or goods
or services to, a foreign person that is responsible for,
complicit in, or responsible for ordering, controlling, or
otherwise directing, the commission of serious human rights
abuses in any territory forcibly occupied or otherwise
controlled by the Government of the Russian Federation; or
``(3) is owned or controlled by a foreign person, or has
acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or
indirectly, a foreign person, that is responsible for,
complicit in, or responsible for ordering, controlling, or
otherwise directing, the commission of serious human rights
abuses in any territory forcibly occupied or otherwise
controlled by the Government of the Russian Federation.
``(b) Sanctions Described.--
``(1) In general.--The sanctions described in this
subsection are the exercise of all powers granted to the
President by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
(50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), without regard to section 202 of
such Act, to the extent necessary to block and prohibit all
transactions in all property and interests in property of a
person determined by the President to be subject to
subsection (a) if such property and interests in property are
in the United States, come within the United States, or are
or come within the possession or control of a United States
person.
``(2) Penalties.--A person that is subject to sanctions
described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to the penalties
set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705)
to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act
described in subsection (a) of that section.
``(c) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of
sanctions under subsection (b) on a case-by-case for a period
of not more than 120 days, and may renew that waiver for
additional periods of not more than 120 days with respect to
a person if the President determines that such a waiver is in
the national interests of the United States and on or before
the date on which the waiver takes effect, submits to the
appropriate congressional committees a notice of and
justification for the waiver.
``(d) Implementation Authority.--The President may exercise
all authorities provided to the President under sections 203
and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
(50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) for purposes of carrying out this
section.
``(e) Regulatory Authority.--The President shall issue such
regulations, licenses, and orders as are necessary to carry
out this section.
``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
`appropriate congressional committees' means--
``(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Financial Services, and the Committee on Ways and Means of
the House of Representatives; and
``(B) Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
``(2) Foreign person.--The term `foreign person' has the
meaning given such term in section 595.304 of title 31, Code
of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment
of this section.
``(3) United states person.--The term `United States
person' has the meaning given such term in section 589.312 of
title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the
date of enactment of this section.''.
SEC. 202. REPORT ON CERTAIN FOREIGN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
The Support for the Sovereignty, Integrity, Democracy, and
Economic Stability of Ukraine Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-95;
22 U.S.C. 8901 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section
11 (as added by section 201 of this Act) the following new
section:
``SEC. 12. REPORT ON CERTAIN FOREIGN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Secretary of State and the
Secretary of the Treasury shall jointly submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on--
``(1) foreign financial institutions that are in direct
control of assets owned or controlled by the Government of
Ukraine in a manner determined by the Secretary of State and
the Secretary of the Treasury to be in violation of the
sovereignty, independence, or territorial integrity of
Ukraine;
``(2) foreign financial institutions that are directly or
indirectly assisting or otherwise aiding the violation of
sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of
Ukraine; and
``(3) foreign financial institutions determined by the
Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to be
complicit in illicit financial activity, including money
laundering, financing of terrorism, transnational organized
crime, or misappropriation of state assets, that are--
``(A) organized under the laws of the Russian Federation;
or
``(B) owned or controlled by a foreign person whose
property or interests in property have been blocked pursuant
to any covered Executive order.
``(b) Form.--The report required to be submitted under this
subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form but may
include a classified annex.
``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
`appropriate congressional committees' means--
[[Page H5784]]
``(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives;
and
``(B) Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on the
Judiciary of the Senate.
``(2) Covered executive order.--The term `covered Executive
order' has the meaning given the term in section 10(f) of
this Act.''.
SEC. 203. REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO TRANSFERS OF DEFENSE
ARTICLES AND DEFENSE SERVICES TO THE RUSSIAN
FEDERATION.
(a) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United
States to oppose the transfer of defense articles and defense
services from any country that is a member of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to, or on behalf of, the
Russian Federation, during any period in which the Russian
Federation forcibly occupies the territory of Ukraine or of a
NATO member country.
(b) Adoption of Nato Policy.--The President shall use the
voice, vote, and influence of the United States in NATO to
seek the adoption of a policy by NATO that is consistent with
the policy of the United States specified in subsection (a).
(c) Monitoring and Identification of Transfers.--
(1) In general.--The President shall direct the heads of
the appropriate departments and agencies of the United States
to identify those transfers of defense articles and defense
services described in subsection (a) that are contrary to the
policy of the United States specified in subsection (a).
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--The President shall submit a written
report to the chairmen and ranking members of the appropriate
committees of Congress within 5 days of the receipt of
information indicating that a transfer described in paragraph
(1) has occurred.
(B) Form.--The report required under subparagraph (A) shall
be submitted in unclassified form but may include a
classified annex.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Foreign Relations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence
of the Senate.
(2) Defense articles and defense services.--The terms
``defense article'' and ``defense service'' have the meanings
given such terms in section 47 of the Arms Export Control Act
(22 U.S.C. 2794 note).
TITLE III--OTHER MATTERS
SEC. 301. STRATEGY TO RESPOND TO RUSSIAN FEDERATION-SUPPORTED
INFORMATION AND PROPAGANDA EFFORTS DIRECTED
TOWARD RUSSIAN-SPEAKING COMMUNITIES IN
COUNTRIES BORDERING THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION.
(a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall
develop and implement a strategy to respond to Russian
Federation-supported dis-information and propaganda efforts
directed toward persons in countries bordering the Russian
Federation.
(b) Matters to Be Included.--The strategy required under
subsection (a) should include the following:
(1) Development of a response to propaganda and dis-
information campaigns as an element of the ongoing crisis in
Ukraine, specifically--
(A) assistance in building the capacity of the Ukrainian
military to document conflict zones and disseminate
information in real-time;
(B) assistance in enhancing broadcast capacity with
terrestrial television transmitters in Eastern Ukraine; and
(C) media training for officials of the Government of
Ukraine.
(2) Establishment of a partnership with partner governments
and private-sector entities to provide Russian-language
entertainment and news content to broadcasters in Russian-
speaking communities bordering the Russian Federation.
(3) Assessment of the extent of Russian Federation
influence in political parties, financial institutions, media
organizations, and other entities seeking to exert political
influence and sway public opinion in favor of Russian
Federation policy across Europe.
(c) Report.--The Secretary of State shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on the strategy
required under subsection (a) and its implementation.
(d) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Armed Services of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Armed Services of the Senate.
SEC. 302. COST LIMITATION.
No additional funds are authorized to carry out the
requirements of this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts
otherwise authorized.
SEC. 303. SUNSET.
This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall cease to
be effective beginning on the date that is 5 years after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the people of Ukraine have struggled against great odds
to defend their freedom and ensure their national existence. It is a
tortured history.
One of the Members who is on the floor today, Eliot Engel, who was in
Ukraine with me, his family, grandparents, all four of them came from
Ukraine. Together we saw some of the evidence of that history in a
gorge in Ukraine where so many Jewish Ukrainians were slaughtered. It
is a reminder. The Holocaust and the other deprivations, the famine
that Ukrainians lived through, are a reminder of the perils to the
people in that country.
For several years, Vladimir Putin has employed all of the tools at
his command to dominate that country, and that includes arming
separatists in the east where almost 10,000 people have lost their
lives in the fighting. It includes annexing Crimea, and the latest
effort to legitimize his aggression was to include Crimea in Russia's
parliamentary elections held last Sunday. These were a sham, and the
delegates represent no one but the rulers in Moscow.
The administration cannot allow Putin to believe that U.S. opposition
to his aggression is weakening. Instead, the U.S. and its allies and
partners in Europe must step up their pressure against Moscow,
including providing the lethal assistance needed to stop Russian tanks,
that the Ukrainians have repeatedly asked for. Their primary concern is
to be able to check that armor in the east.
This legislation strengthens the sanctions imposed on Russia as well.
It is a clear demonstration that the U.S. remains committed to
supporting the Ukrainian peoples' unyielding defense of their freedom
and their national existence.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Ways and Means,
Washington, DC, September 15, 2016.
Hon. Edward R. Royce,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rayburn House Office
Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Royce, I am writing with respect to H.R.
5094, the ``Stability and Democracy for Ukraine Act,'' on
which the Committee on Ways and Means was granted an
additional referral.
In order to allow H.R. 5094 to move expeditiously to the
House floor, I agree to waive formal consideration of this
bill. The Committee on Ways and Means takes this action with
the mutual understanding that by forgoing formal
consideration of H.R. 5094, we do not waive any jurisdiction
over the subject matter contained in this or similar
legislation, and the Committee will be appropriately
consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation
moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues
that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction. The Committee also
reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate
number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving
this or similar legislation, and requests your support for
such request.
Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter
confirming this understanding, and would ask that a copy of
our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the
Congressional Record during floor consideration thereof.
Sincerely,
Kevin Brady,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC., September 15, 2016.
Hon. Kevin Brady,
Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, Longworth House Office
Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Brady: Thank you for consulting with the
Foreign Affairs Committee and agreeing to be discharged from
further
[[Page H5785]]
consideration of H.R. 5094, the STAND for Ukraine Act, so
that the bill may proceed expeditiously to the House floor.
I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure
does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of
your committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives
on this resolution or similar legislation in the future. I
would support your effort to seek appointment of an
appropriate number of conferees from your committee to any
House-Senate conference on this legislation.
I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 5094 into the
Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
resolution. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work together
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Edward R. Royce,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Financial Services,
Washington, DC, September 16, 2016.
Hon. Ed Royce,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Royce: I am writing concerning H.R. 5094, the
``STAND for Ukraine Act.''
As a result of your having consulted with the Committee on
Financial Services concerning provisions in the bill that
fall within our Rule X jurisdiction, I agree to forgo action
on the bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House
Floor. The Committee on Financial Services takes this action
with our mutual understanding that, by foregoing
consideration of H.R. 5094 at this time, we do not waive any
jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or
similar legislation, and that our Committee will be
appropriately consulted and involved as this or similar
legislation moves forward so that we may address any
remaining issues that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction.
Our Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of
an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate
conference involving this or similar legislation, and
requests your support for any such request.
Finally, I would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters
on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during
floor consideration of the legislation.
Sincerely,
Jeb Hensarling,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, September 15, 2016.
Hon. Jeb Hensarling,
Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Hensarling: Thank you for consulting with the
Foreign Affairs Committee and agreeing to be discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 5094, the STAND for Ukraine
Act, so that the bill may proceed expeditiously to the House
floor.
I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure
does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of
your committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives
on this resolution or similar legislation in the future. I
would support your effort to seek appointment of an
appropriate number of conferees from your committee to any
House-Senate conference on this legislation.
I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 5094 into the
Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
resolution. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work together
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Edward R. Royce,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on the Judiciary,
Washington, DC, September 16, 2016.
Hon. Edward R. Royce,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Royce: I write with respect to H.R. 5094, the
``STAND for Ukraine Act,'' which was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs and in addition to the Committee
on the Judiciary among others. As a result of your having
consulted with us on provisions within H.R. 5094 that fall
within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the
Judiciary, I agree to discharge our committee from further
consideration of this bill so that it may proceed
expeditiously to the House floor for consideration.
The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual
understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 5094 at
this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject
matter contained in this or similar legislation and that our
committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as
this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may
address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Our
committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an
appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate
conference involving this or similar legislation and asks
that you support any such request.
I would appreciate a response to this letter confirming
this understanding with respect to H.R. 5094 and would ask
that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be
included in your committee report and in the Congressional
Record during floor consideration of H.R. 5094.
Sincerely,
Bob Goodlatte,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, September 15, 2016.
Hon. Bob Goodlatte,
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Goodlatte: Thank you for consulting with the
Foreign Affairs Committee and agreeing to be discharged from
further consideration of H.R. 5094, the STAND for Ukraine
Act, so that the bill may proceed expeditiously to the House
floor.
I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure
does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of
your committee, or prejudice its jurisdictional prerogatives
on this resolution or similar legislation in the future. I
would support your effort to seek appointment of an
appropriate number of conferees from your committee to any
House-Senate conference on this legislation.
I will seek to place our letters on RR. 5094 into the
Congressional Record during floor consideration of the
resolution. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this
legislation and look forward to continuing to work together
as this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Edward R. Royce,
Chairman.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. Let me, first of all,
thank our chairman, Ed Royce, for helping advance this bill. I
introduced this bill in April along with the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Kinzinger). I am proud to say we now have 36 additional
cosponsors, both Democrats and Republicans.
Mr. Speaker, we shouldn't kid ourselves about the intentions of
Russia's President, Vladimir Putin. Inside his own borders, he has
stripped away the rights of Russia's citizens. He has silenced a free
and open press. He has stolen countless billions and spread the wealth
around to his cronies. And in the wake of a sham election that boosted
his party's majority, it is being reported that he wants to breathe new
life into the KGB.
His record abroad is more of the same. He has trampled his neighbors'
sovereignty, worked to undermine NATO and Western unity, and posed a
real threat to America's work and the work of our friends over the past
seven decades to build a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace.
Perhaps most egregious is Russia's ongoing illegal occupation of
Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine. Russia recently renewed its attack
on Ukraine's sovereignty by holding parliamentary elections for the
duma in Crimea. It is just outrageous, as the chairman mentioned. The
United States will never recognize these claims, just as we never
recognized Soviet control of the Baltic States during the 50-year
occupation there.
My legislation underscores America's support for Ukraine's right to
defend itself, and it keeps pressure on Russia so long as Russia's
criminal behavior in Ukraine continues. This bill says that if Russia
wants to see sanctions relief, it must abide by its Minsk Agreement
obligations, namely, if Ukraine controls the entirety of its eastern
border. It makes Crimea-related sanctions permanent so long as the
Russian occupation there continues. It tightens sanctions enforcement
with the new anti-evasion framework, and it requires reporting on banks
illegally controlling Ukrainian assets, particularly Russian banks in
Crimea.
This bill also takes steps to make it harder for Russia to buy
defense equipment or services from our NATO allies. It goes after human
rights abusers in Russian-occupied areas, and it calls for a
comprehensive strategy from our own government to push back against
Russian propaganda. The people of Ukraine need to know the United
States stands with them. This Government of Ukraine is the most pro-
Western government they have ever had. We need to help them. Vladimir
Putin needs to know that his reckless ambition won't go unanswered.
The gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell) had to leave, but he
submitted testimony. He strongly supports this bill and everything that
the chairman and I are saying this evening. I ask that all Members
support this bill.
[[Page H5786]]
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South
Carolina (Mr. Sanford).
Mr. SANFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman. I just want to come
to applaud both the chairman and the ranking member for their work on
this important measure.
I think this bill is incredibly important because, in the simplest of
forms, conflicting signals never work with regard to foreign policy.
Some people have said that the Korean war was, in many cases, in large
measure created based on a void as to uncertainty as to what the
American Government would or wouldn't do in the event that North Korea
was attacked by South Korea. I think you can look at a long host of
different examples that point to the simple fact that conflicting
signals are never a good signal when it comes to foreign policy.
I just want to thank the gentlemen for their resolution and to stress
its importance. I think if we learned anything in the days leading up
to World War II, with the actions of Neville Chamberlain, it is that
appeasement doesn't work and that unchecked aggression always creates
problems.
I think this is about sending a clear message to the Russians, but it
ultimately sends a message to more than just the Russians. This is, as
well, about a message to the Chinese in the South China Sea or other
parts around the globe. In that regard, I think that this bill is
ultimately about things that are ultimately much bigger than Ukraine
and Russia.
Let me give you two examples. One, this is about reminding our allies
and even ourselves that, for sovereignty to mean anything, a border has
to mean something. That means a border can't be porous. It means that a
border can't be regulated and controlled by whoever your biggest and
strongest neighbor is in the region.
I would say, secondly, that this is about what it means to be an
American ally. I think that the Budapest Memorandum was unequivocally
clear that, if you give up nuclear arms, we will do certain things in
terms of your security.
So the question that we now have to ask as Americans, and I think
what this bill ultimately does so forcefully is to say: What does that
mean and what are we going to do about it? Indeed, that is the
question.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to
close.
Let me say before I close that Mr. Sanford was absolutely right in
what he just said. The fact is that Ukraine, which was part of the
Soviet Union, gave up its nuclear weapons when the Soviet Union
collapsed. As a result, they were given assurances that they would not
have aggression perpetrated against them; and, of course, like other
promises made by Mr. Putin, that fell by the wayside. I agree with the
gentleman from South Carolina. I think he is absolutely right on the
money. I thank him for his remarks.
Mr. Speaker, we have no shortage of crises smoldering around the
world, but we cannot take our eye off what is happening in Ukraine and
the threat that Russia poses. NATO is being tested. Western democracy
is being called into question. The progress we have made since the cold
war is at risk.
Even if the administration is trying to work with Russia on other
issues, we need to be clear-eyed when Vladimir Putin flouts
international law and threatens the security of Europe. This bill would
say plainly that no matter what happens in other parts of the world, if
Russia continues to illegally occupy parts of Ukraine, Russia will pay
a price.
I am pleased that the House is acting on my bill. I want to again
thank Chairman Royce for being a partner with me and helping with this
bill. I ask that all Members support it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Engel), the ranking member.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, as an original sponsor of the STAND for
Ukraine Act and a Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, I rise
in support of this important measure. This bill codifies and tightens
existing U.S. sanctions on Russia for its violation of Ukraine's
territorial integrity, including its illegal annexation of Crimea.
In passing this measure, I join my colleagues in making a strong
statement that the United States stands with the people of Ukraine.
Earlier this month, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of Ukraine's
independence. It is the Ukraine people's will for a free, democratic,
and sovereign country that is the underlying impetus for change and
international support.
I believe we have a duty to stand behind democratic nations such as
Ukraine against foreign aggression, and it is in our national interest
to have an ally who shares our values. The STAND for Ukraine Act takes
a meaningful step in helping Ukraine defend against foreign aggression.
At the same time, we must continue our work in helping Ukraine develop
the rule of law, root out corruption, and bring about economic
prosperity.
I support the STAND for Ukraine Act, and urge my colleagues to do the
same.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the
STAND for Ukraine Act. I'd like to thank my good friend and colleague
Mr. Engel for introducing this legislation, which aims to solidify U.S.
support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, under assault by the
Russian government since 2014.
Last weekend Russian-occupied Crimea took part in Russia's
parliamentary elections for the first time since Russia took over the
peninsula in 2014. In the judgment of OSCE election observers, the
elections took place in an environment marked by ``restrictions to
fundamental freedoms and political rights, firmly controlled media and
a tightening grip on civil society. . . .'' In timely response, this
legislation solidifies the U.S. commitment to the territorial integrity
of Ukraine.
The administration has applied various sanctions to Russia. In its
leading provisions, this bill will give the sanctions created by
executive orders the permanence of statutory law--until Ukraine's
sovereignty over Crimea is fully restored. These sanctions relate to
blocking property of certain persons contributing to the situation in
Ukraine. In addition, the bill provides that no federal agency shall
take any action or extend any assistance that recognizes Russian
sovereignty over Crimea.
Mr. Speaker, the Russian government's invasion of Ukraine, and
particularly its land grab in Crimea--its forcible, illegal attempt to
incorporate that peninsula into Russia--violated the core principles of
several bilateral and multilateral agreements and treaties, including
all ten of the core principles of the Helsinki Final Act.
In July I led the U.S. delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly, which met this year in Tbilisi. Russian parliamentarians
continually sought to undermine, and even demean and provoke the
Ukrainian delegation. Mr. Speaker, our delegation provided strong and
constant support for the Ukrainians. In the words of this bill's policy
statement, we used our ``voice, vote, and influence in international
fora to encourage others to provide assistance'' to Ukraine,
particularly to restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity. In
my own speeches, I focused on the issue of Crimea, and on the sharply
declining human rights situation there.
Russian ``anti-extremism'' laws have been used to criminalize
opposition and stifle free speech. The majority of victims have been
Crimean Tatars and ethnic Ukrainians, who have been subject to
killings, kidnappings, torture, harassment and intimidation.
I urge my House colleagues to support this measure that will ensure
the United States' non-recognition of Russia's illegal occupation,
solidify and sharpen sanctions against Russia over Crimea, and support
the full territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand in solidarity with
my brothers and sisters in Ukraine by urging my colleagues to swiftly
pass the STAND for Ukraine Act.
Nearly two and a half years ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin
undermined Ukrainian sovereignty when the Russians began illegally
occupying Crimea.
This act emboldened him to double down on bullying his neighbors,
testing the resolve of NATO and trying to fracture Western unity.
His disrespect for global order knows no bounds. That is why the
United States must reiterate to the world that it will not tolerate
Russia's aggression.
While some misguided people have said that ``Putin is not going into
Crimea,'' this bill makes it perfectly clear: Russia's illegal
occupation of Crimea will not be tolerated by the United States.
We must hold Russia accountable for its disrespect for global order
and continued violations of international law.
That is why I am a strong supporter and cosponsor of the STAND for
Ukraine Act, which tightens sanctions on Russia and rejects any form of
recognition of Russian rule over Crimea.
Mr. Speaker, I hope this bill will become law quickly so we can make
sure that President Putin knows the United States stands with our ally
Ukraine.
[[Page H5787]]
Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of
H.R. 5094.
Ukraine continues to face significant challenges from Russian
meddling and aggression. We in Congress are under no illusions when
seeing Vladimir Putin's true intentions for Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin and Russia are tearing Europe apart. Russian-backed
separatists continue their shelling of Ukrainian military positions in
Donetsk and Donbass, which in some cases has killed civilians.
Additionally, Vladimir Putin and Russia are delivering bombs on
medical facilities and on children in Syria. Further proof that they
are no ally of ours.
Rather than continuing to negotiate with Putin, we need to stand up
to him. The best way to push back against Russia is to give the
Ukrainians what they need to defend their sovereign territory, such as
lethal weaponry to counter the Russian-backed ``little green men.''
This important bill does a number of things to continue to show
American support for Ukraine, while also putting additional pressure on
Russia for its continued violation of Ukraine's territorial
sovereignty.
Most importantly, this bill states that the United States will never
recognize Russian sovereignty over Crimea, which it illegally annexed
in 2014.
This bill would also enhance our sanctions regime on Russia for its
ongoing illegal and destabilizing activities against Ukraine.
In our history, we have always seen the impact that our nation has on
others when we stand up and help them achieve a better tomorrow. It is
imperative that we continue to help Ukraine achieve that better future
for its citizens.
Mr. Speaker, I was proud to work with Congressman Eliot Engel to
introduce this critical bill. By reaffirming U.S. support for Ukraine's
self-defense, emphasizing that we never have nor will recognize
Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, and by holding Russia
accountable for its continued violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, we
will `Stand with Ukraine' legislatively and most effectively.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 5094, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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