U.S. Senator Katie Britt Joins Lindsey Graham, Richard Blumenthal, Colleagues in Introducing Hard-Hitting Russia Sanctions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and 49 of their bipartisan Senate colleagues to introduce primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
These sanctions would be imposed if Russia refuses to engage in good faith negotiations for a lasting peace with Ukraine or initiates another effort, including military invasion, that undermines the sovereignty of Ukraine after peace is negotiated. The legislation also imposes a 500 percent tariff on imported goods from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products.
The Senators’ full statement below:
“We are pleased to announce that we have received overwhelming bipartisan support for our primary and secondary sanctions legislation against Russia. The sanctions against Russia require tariffs on countries who purchase Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products. They are hard hitting for a reason.
“The dominating view in the United States Senate is that Russia is the aggressor, and that this horrific war and Putin’s aggression must end now and be deterred in the future.
“We share President Trump’s frustration with Russia when it comes to obtaining a ceasefire, and support President Trump’s desire to achieve a lasting, just and honorable peace.
“In 1994, as part of the Budapest Memorandum Ukraine gave up approximately 1,700 nuclear weapons with a promise from the U.S., Russia and United Kingdom that Ukraine’s sovereignty would be honored in the future. This failed to deter Russian aggression. In 2014 and 2015, the Minsk agreements were reached to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but again, it did nothing to deter future aggression. In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine once more, leading to deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and the displacement of millions.
“It is our hope that in 2025, President Trump and his team will achieve what has eluded the world in the past: ending Russian aggression against Ukraine permanently and ensuring the survivability of a free and democratic Ukraine.
“These sanctions against Russia are at the ready and will receive overwhelming bipartisan, bicameral support if presented to the Senate and House for a vote.
“We support an immediate ceasefire to secure a lasting, honorable peace.”
Senator Britt has been a strong voice for American energy independence and decreasing global reliance on Russia. She has long warned freezing new liquefied natural gas (LNG) permits would benefit foreign adversaries. A report last year found that European Union countries imported 7% more LNG from Russia in the first half of 2024 than in the previous year.
Recently, Senator Britt joined Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Congressman August Pfluger (R-Texas), and a bicameral group of their Republican colleagues in reintroducing the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act. “American national security starts with American energy dominance. This legislation to streamline the permitting process for LNG export terminals is a critical step in implementing President Trump’s America First energy agenda so foreign customers don’t turn to other suppliers, including our adversaries,” the Senator stated.
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