Rep. Don Bacon
U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) on April 9 cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would encourage Hungary to end its reliance on Russian energy and prevent Hungary’s efforts to obstruct financial or security assistance to Ukraine.
The Barring Leverage and Obstruction that Contributes to Kremlin Profits Undermining Transatlantic Interests and NATO Act, or the BLOCK PUTIN Act, H.R. 8219, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), states that it would be the policy of the United States to hold Hungary accountable for actions that undermine America’s national security interests.
“As someone with Hungarian roots, I have deep respect for Hungary’s history as a freedom-loving nation that stood up to Soviet oppression in 1956,” said Rep. Bacon, a member of the Congressional Hungarian Caucus. “But today, under Prime Minister Orbán, Hungary has become the most unreliable country in NATO and undermined Ukraine and our allies from within.”
Introduction of H.R. 8219 comes amid news that top officials in the Hungarian government, including Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, have coordinated with the Russian government to obstruct European support for Ukraine, protect Russian oligarchs from sanctions, and create a vulnerability for Hungary by deepening its dependence on Russian energy.
Rep. Bacon says it has also been reported in Politico that Hungarian officials signed a secret pact with the Kremlin to deepen Hungary’s reliance on Russia and drift farther from its transatlantic allies.
“The BLOCK PUTIN Act makes clear there will be consequences for blocking support to Ukraine, deepening reliance on Russian energy, and reinforces our commitment to our allies,” Rep. Bacon said.
Rep. Kaptur, co-chair of the Congressional Hungarian Caucus, said that when lawmakers listen to the phone calls between top Russian and Hungarian officials, they hear “a shocking betrayal” of Hungary’s independence and democracy in support of Dictator Vladimir Putin’s ambition to dominate Europe.
“My colleagues, including myself and Congressman Bacon in our Hungarian Caucus, affirm the right of the Hungarian people for their hard-fought freedom,” she added. “Hungarians should know they will always have friends here in America ready to help them combat Putin’s schemes to control their country and extinguish their liberty.”
H.R. 8219 is companion legislation to the same-named S. 4275 introduced on March 26 by U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).