Barrett Joins Bipartisan Effort to Sanction Russia Over War in Ukraine, Continues Work Towards Delivering Peace

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) today announced he is joining an effort to sanction Russia in response to President Vladimir Putin's continued aggression in Ukraine by cosponsoring H.R. 4346, the Preventing the Escalation of Armed Conflict in Europe (PEACE) Act. This legislation would authorize new sanctions against foreign institutions that are propping up Russia's energy sector and bankrolling the violence against Ukraine.

"Vladimir Putin's unjust aggression against Ukraine has gone unchecked for too long. President Trump has made it clear that it's time for this war to end, and I stand ready to do my part in bringing Russia to the negotiating table and delivering a durable peace to the region," said Barrett. "The PEACE Act is about giving the president every tool he needs to sanction the foreign institutions responsible for bankrolling the violence and applying maximum pressure to stop the fighting. I stand ready with my colleagues in Congress to put us on a path towards a peaceful resolution and ultimately keep American troops out of harm's way."

The PEACE Act would give the Treasury Department expanded authority to block U.S. access for any foreign bank that knowingly does business with sanctioned Russian actors or operates in the Kremlin's energy sector. Additionally, the bill would sunset the expanded sanction authority five years after enactment or 30 days after Russia ceases destabilizing Ukraine.

Earlier this year, Barrett helped lead H.R. 2548, the Sanctioning Russia Act, which would impose sweeping sanctions against Russia and any nation or actor complicit in sustaining its war of aggression against Ukraine. Specifically, this bill would place a 500 percent tariff on all imports to the United States from Russia, as well as from any countries that continue to fund Putin's war machine by purchasing Russian-origin oil, uranium, or petroleum products.

BACKGROUND:

Yesterday, President Donald Trump doubled down on his commitment to brokering a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. He announced plans for new weapons sales to allies, which will provide arms to Ukraine. He also pledged to impose sanctions on Russia and countries doing business with Russia's energy sector if Putin refuses to agree to a peace deal within 50 days.

CLICK HEREfor the PEACE Act bill text.

CLICK HEREfor the Sanctioning Russia Act bill text.

###