[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 196 (Wednesday, November 18, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H5907-H5909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PROHIBITING RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN G7

  Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 8259) to prohibit Russian participation in the G7, and for 
other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 8259

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. PROHIBITION ON RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE G7.

       (a) Limitation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, no Federal funds are authorized to be appropriated to 
     take any action to support or facilitate--
       (1) the participation of Russia in a Group of Seven 
     proceeding; or
       (2) the reconstitution of the Group of Eight to include 
     Russia.
       (b) Termination.--Subsection (a) shall cease to have any 
     force or effect after the date on which--
       (1) the Secretary of State and the Director of National 
     Intelligence, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security and the Director of the Federal Bureau of 
     Investigation, certify to the appropriate congressional 
     committees and leadership that the Government of Russia, and 
     all persons acting as an agent of or otherwise on behalf of 
     such government, has halted all interference in United States 
     elections or elections of the other members of the Group of 
     Seven, members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
     (NATO) and the European Union, and other allies and partners; 
     and
       (2) the Secretary of State, in consultation with the 
     Director of National Intelligence, determines and certifies 
     to the appropriate congressional committees and leadership 
     that the Government of Russia, and all persons acting as an 
     agent of or otherwise on behalf of such government, has--
       (A) ended its illegal occupation of Crimea and is fully 
     complying with its commitments under the Minsk agreement with 
     respect to Eastern Ukraine;
       (B) ended its illegal occupation of South Ossetia and 
     Abkhazia and will support efforts for the reintegration of 
     these regions with the Republic of Georgia; and
       (C) withdrawn its troops and armaments from Transnistria 
     and fully respects Moldova's sovereignty and territorial 
     integrity.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
     coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and 
     in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal 
     departments and agencies, shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees and leadership a report on the 
     threats and challenges of Russia to NATO and the United 
     States in Afghanistan and to United States efforts to counter 
     such threats and challenges, including--
       (1) an assessment of support provided by the Government of 
     Russia, and all persons acting as an agent of or otherwise on 
     behalf of such government, for Taliban-linked militants, 
     including--
       (A) the provision of defense articles, defense services, or 
     technology (as such terms are defined and described in the 
     Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.)) or 
     financial assistance for purposes that undermine or run 
     counter to the principles agreed upon in the Agreement for 
     Bringing Peace to Afghanistan entered into on February 29, 
     2020;
       (B) financial transactions, including transactions made 
     through the hawala system, between the individuals and 
     entities of the Government of Russia, or individuals or 
     entities acting in connection with that government, to 
     Taliban-linked militants, other militants with connections to 
     Afghanistan, and their intermediaries; and
       (C) any alleged program to incentivize the killing of 
     United States or NATO coalition soldiers by the Government of 
     Russia or any other foreign government;
       (2) a description of United States Government efforts to 
     engage in diplomatic efforts with Russia and the governments 
     of NATO coalition allies and partners to counter Russian 
     malign influence in Afghanistan; and
       (3) a description of the views of the governments of other 
     NATO members, including heads of government, political 
     leaders, and military commanders in the region on Russian 
     interference and malign influence in Afghanistan.
       (d) Appropriate Congressional Committees and Leadership.--
     In this section, the term ``appropriate congressional 
     committees and leadership'' means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select 
     Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Homeland 
     Security, and the Speaker, the majority leader, and the 
     minority leader of the House of Representatives; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Homeland 
     Security, and the majority leader and the minority leader of 
     the Senate.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Espaillat) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include in the Record extraneous materials on H.R. 8259.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this measure, and I thank 
the author, my friend, Mr. Meeks from New York, a senior member of the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs, for his leadership and hard work.
  Throughout this Congress, the committee has focused on measures to 
counter Russian aggression and hold President Putin accountable for the 
unlawful invasion and attempted annexation of Crimea. But President 
Trump has flagrantly ignored the pleas of our allies and attempted to 
invite Russia back into the G7 despite its continued aggression in 
Ukraine, Georgia, and other sovereign countries near its border.
  Putin and his cronies must be held accountable for their actions. And 
for Trump to put out the welcome mat for Russia would be a slap in the 
face to our allies and the Ukrainian citizens living in Crimea.
  This important bipartisan bill would prevent the U.S. Government from 
facilitating Russian participation in the G7, or a reconstituted G8, 
and requires a report about Russia's nefarious relationships with the 
Taliban in Afghanistan and any bounty program it instituted for the 
killing of American troops.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8259, which prohibits Russian 
participation in the G7. I thank my friend and colleague, Mr. Meeks, 
for authoring this bill.
  As I have said time and time again, Vladimir Putin is not a friend of 
the United States nor of our allies.
  In the past few years, we have witnessed his regime invade and occupy

[[Page H5908]]

parts of Ukraine and certainly Georgia in South Ossetia and Abkhazia; 
unleash devastating cyberattacks against our allies; prop up corrupt 
regimes in Syria and Venezuela; use a banned nerve agent to try to kill 
a former Russian spy, as we just saw with the resolution that preceded 
this, opposition activist Alexey Navalny; meddle in our elections; and 
much more.
  The Russian President's actions speak for themselves. At almost every 
opportunity, Putin pursues policies that undermine American and allied 
interests around the world.
  The Group of Seven is a forum that brings together like-minded 
democracies to tackle important global issues. A dangerous and corrupt 
dictator that assassinates his own people cannot be trusted to be a 
reasonable partner on the world stage. We must not turn a blind eye to 
this reality.
  This bill would prohibit Russia from being readmitted to the Group of 
Seven until Putin fully restores the territorial integrity of Ukraine, 
parts of Georgia, and Moldova, and stops interfering in the democratic 
processes of the United States and our allies.
  The bill also demonstrates that Congress takes very seriously the 
safety of American troops serving overseas--it is our utmost priority--
and that we remain concerned about the challenges Russia poses to U.S. 
and NATO efforts to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan.
  Maintaining the integrity of the Group of Seven is vital to its 
success. Russia cannot be invited back in while Vladimir Putin 
continues to undermine the efforts of democratic states to build a 
freer and more prosperous world.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no more requests for time, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Meeks), the author of this important bill and an esteemed 
member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Espaillat, and I thank the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith). I also thank Representative 
Kinzinger for his support and his collaboration in working collectively 
to bring this bill to the floor for a vote.
  The reason for this bill is actually very simple. Congress must be 
clear that Russia cannot be part of the G7 while it does all it can to 
undermine democracies, including our own.
  What they are doing is inflaming some of the biggest challenges that 
face the global community today. Congress has an oversight 
responsibility here, and this bill simply makes that clear.
  Through its actions, today's Russia continues to prove that it does 
not intend to be a part of the global solution. Moscow interferes in 
democratic processes across the globe, suppresses and poisons 
opposition, and wreaks havoc in emerging nations in Europe--Ukraine and 
Georgia being the most recent targets where they still remain, holding 
sovereign land.
  The list is long. Yet, I am concerned that the President of the 
United States has repeatedly expressed his inclination to bring Russia 
back to the G7. He has called it commonsense to include Russia. It is 
not as long as they continue to behave the way they are.
  It is crucial that the American taxpayer should not pay for this 
bizarre and harmful courtship of Putin's Russia, the same Russia that 
puts bounties on American soldiers in Afghanistan.
  Of course, we should have lines of strategic communications open with 
Moscow. I am one also open for dialogue. But with Russia's malfeasance, 
we cannot welcome them to the table as our partners and allies at a 
time when they do not share our democratic values or interests.

  There is nothing short of the strength of America's stance as a 
global leader at stake. We have to be leaders in bringing folks 
together and standing for democracy and for what is good for democracy. 
That is who we are as Americans. That is what this United States 
Congress stands for.
  We must do our oversight in this regard. We must give a message to 
Russia that should it want to enter into the G7, it has to play by the 
rules and not do undemocratic things or threaten democracy, whether it 
is in the United States or any of our European allies.
  Mr. Speaker, I, again, thank my colleagues for joining this bill in a 
bipartisan effort, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman has the only remaining time.
  Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Espaillat) for yielding, and the distinguished 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) for proposing this legislation, 
along with his colleagues, Mr. Kinzinger and all the Members who are 
supporting H.R. 8259 that deals with the admission of Russia into the 
G7.
  The reason I think this is crucial legislation that I would hope that 
we would move swiftly to the United States Senate, the other body, and 
move swiftly for a signature, ultimately, of the President of the 
United States, is because this is a move that seems afoot with little 
consultation of the other members of the G7.
  Anyone listening to this, the American people, might be reminded that 
Russia fought against the Nazis. One might say they were on the good 
side in World War II. There have been moments where we have been able 
to collaborate with Russia on important issues relevant to all of us, 
Europe and beyond. But it certainly is disappointing under the 
leadership of their present head of government that they have seemingly 
sought not only to quash dissent but to kill dissent.
  Just a few minutes ago, we heard of the poisoning of one of the 
largest dissenters in Russia. It has happened before. It will happen 
again.
  Is the G7 an organization that coddles and comforts those who would 
poison dissent or undermine dissent? Or are we a group that may not 
agree all the time but truly believes in human rights and the dignity 
of all people and, yes, the understanding that dissent is part of the 
democratic principles? I am appalled at the attempt to kill dissent.
  Then, of course, you have to be concerned about the absolute, 
unfettered intrusion and caring less about the people of Ukraine, 
Crimea, and certainly places in surrounding Eastern Europe. They are in 
fear of their lives--the shooting down of an innocent commercial 
airline and the complete denial of such.
  Belarus, the whole question of Moldova, all of these places are 
subject to the whims of Russia.
  Now, if there was a completely different policy, foreign aid, a 
foreign relations policy of cooperation and collaboration, there is 
certainly the opportunity for G7 members to talk with Russia in any 
other forum. But I think when we are supporting NATO, we recognize the 
importance of that alliance. We also understand the strength of that 
alliance, recognizing the importance of that alliance in Afghanistan 
and, yes, in Iraq.
  To admit, because of a personal relationship between a head of state 
and Russia's head of state, I think it is unacceptable.
  Let me also say something that is strikingly disturbing at this 
point. Yes, the President has the right to hire and fire his or her 
Cabinet. In the last 4 days or so, the then-existing Secretary of 
Defense was precipitously fired. We don't have the inner workings and 
decisions of that. Maybe his work performance wasn't up to par. It 
doesn't seem like that is the case.
  Then, all of a sudden, a new person is ultimately an interim Acting 
Secretary of Defense, one of the most strategic and important parts of 
our Nation.
  Having been here through 9/11, there was a transition of government. 
Look who struck. Not Russia, of course, but Osama bin Laden on 9/11.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the 
gentlewoman from Texas.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, now we have a circumstance where the 
newly appointed Acting Secretary of Defense is saying that our troops 
will be cut in half.
  I understand, the Joint Chiefs, if I am correct, have not been 
consulted or they have not made that decision. And

[[Page H5909]]

that means, is that opening the door more for Russia into Afghanistan 
and Iraq? Is that jeopardizing our troops?
  These are questions that tie into relationships between Russia and 
now, presently, the United States.
  I think we have to make a firm statement against the G7, and I ask 
that we question the decision to withdraw troops, not because I have 
not been against the wars, but because I believe our troops should be 
assessed as their security and also our mission.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask for the support of this legislation.
  Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I thank Congressman Meeks for his hard work on 
this measure. I am very pleased to support this important measure, and 
I urge all Members to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8259, 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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