NEW YORK – The Protect European Energy Security Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in May of this year, was approved on July 31 by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. By a vote of 20-2, the committee approved a bill (S 1441) that would impose targeted sanctions against vessels used to construct deep sea pipelines for Russian energy export projects, including Nord Stream 2.
The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the largest representation of Americans of Ukrainian descent, said it has long been critical of the pipeline project it considers a “Trojan Horse” designed to keep the European Union beholden to Moscow.
Last month, the House Foreign Affairs Committee by voice vote approved the Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act (HR 3206), introduced by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and Rep. Denny Heck (D-Wash.).
“For years, Russia has tried to use energy dependence as a means to put undue political influence on our European allies,” explained Rep. Kinzinger. “Through intimidation and coercion, Vladimir Putin has weaponized natural gas across the region.”
“I am opposed to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, which poses a significant risk to European energy security,” stated Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “If completed, this pipeline… would further undermine Ukraine’s economic security and potentially increase its vulnerability to further Russian military incursions,” added the senator, concluding that “it would be foolish to give Putin yet another, powerful, lever of power and think he will not use it against the West.”
“Putin’s pipeline is a trap,” added Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).
“While the average American may have never heard of Nord Stream, this pipeline has created something highly unusual in American politics today: consensus among Republican and Democratic lawmakers,” commented UCCA President Andriy Futey. “The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America looks forward to the Protect European Energy Security Act being taken up by entire Senate and House of Representatives in the weeks and months to come.”
Only Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) opposed the measure voted on by the Senate committee.
The House of Representatives had passed a resolution urging the cancellation of Nord Stream 2 back in November of 2018.