Press Release

Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) today voted for H.R. 6968, the Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act, bipartisan legislation to hold Russia accountable for its deadly invasion of Ukraine.

"Americans have watched in horror as Vladimir Putin has unleased unnecessary death and destruction in Ukraine, including the killing of innocent civilians and children, and the shelling of hospitals and refugee corridors," said Representative Bera, who serves as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation. "Today, I joined colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass the Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act to impose severe consequences on Russia for its unprovoked and deadly invasion, including the banning of Russian oil and energy imports to the United States. The strong action taken by Congress today adds to the already significant economic sanctions levied by the Biden Administration and our global allies and partners. As we continue to hold Russia accountable for this horrific invasion, we must do everything we can to limit the costs that Putin's war will have on American consumers, including blunting high gas prices at the pump."

Specifically, the Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act will:

• Ban the import of Russian oil and energy products into the United States;
• Take steps to review Russia's access to the World Trade Organization; and
• Reauthorize and strengthen the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act so that the United States can impose further sanctions on Russia

Representative Bera participated in a bipartisan Congressional delegation visit to Brussels, Belgium and Kyiv, Ukraine in February 2022. During his visit, Rep. Bera met with NATO and Ukrainian officials, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to reaffirm the strong U.S. support for the people of Ukraine. Bera delivered an impassioned speech on the House floor after his return from Ukraine.