[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 6, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2051-S2052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SUSPENDING NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA AND BELARUS ACT

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, Putin absolutely must be held accountable 
for the detestable, detestable, despicable war crimes he is committing 
against Ukraine. The images we have seen coming out of that country, 
especially out of the town of Bucha, are just pure evil--it reminds us 
of the worst moments in human history--caused by the evil man, Putin: 
hundreds of civilians murdered in cold blood--men, women, children, the 
elderly, the defenseless; people with hands tied behind their backs and 
left dead on the streets; civilians shot in the back of the head--all 
for one reason: They are Ukrainians. It is one despicable reason.
  This is genocide when you murder, wantonly, innocent civilians 
because of who they are. Whether it be their religion, their race, or 
their nationality, that is genocide, and Mr. Putin is guilty of it.
  Formally revoking normal trade relations with Russia is precisely the 
right thing for the Senate to do because it will land another huge blow 
to Putin's economy. It is a key part of

[[Page S2052]]

any strategy for holding Putin accountable for his savage attacks on 
innocent civilians.
  Again, I thank all of my colleagues for their good work and look 
forward to passing PNTR in the Senate tomorrow morning.

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