[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H3680]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRANSATLANTIC ENERGY SECURITY
(Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, as cochair of the bipartisan Congressional
Ukraine Caucus, I rise to express my deep concern on the issue of
transatlantic energy security. The Kremlin and complicit European
nations are seeking to complete the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline. This
Russian malign influence project will increase Vladimir Putin's
leverage in Europe and disrupt the NATO alliance.
Current news reports indicate that a deal between the Biden
administration and Germany is imminent. According to these reports,
there is little in the deal that will prevent Russia's capacity to
coerce our allies. Congress understands history's key lesson: When
Germany and Russia collude, the people of Central and Eastern Europe
pay the price.
Congress has now voted twice on an overwhelming bipartisan basis to
sanction the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline. These sanctions are mandatory, not
discretionary. Given the administration's abuse of the sanctions
waiver, I was pleased the Committee on Appropriations
unanimously adopted my bipartisan amendment to repeal the waivers
moving forward. While I look forward to reviewing the deal, the
Congress--as Article I of the Constitution mandates--must reject any
deal that fails to prioritize energy security in the transatlantic
alliance.
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