Cole sponsors bill to prohibit import of Russian petroleum products

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) on March 3 led 19 Republicans in introducing legislation that would prohibit the U.S. importation of petroleum products from Russia. 

Rep. Cole sponsored the Prohibition on Imports of Russian Oil Act, H.R. 6919, which also aims to hold Russian President Vladimir Putin and his regime accountable for its unprovoked attack on Ukraine, according to a bill summary provided by the congressman’s staff. 

“By currently purchasing approximately 700,000 barrels of Russian oil and other petroleum products per day, the United States is indirectly funding Putin’s war chest, which is absolutely unconscionable,” Rep. Cole said. “Considering that Russia’s energy industry makes up around one-quarter of its Gross Domestic Product, it is simply common sense for America and our allies to immediately stop buying these products from a country led by an evil and authoritarian dictator.”

Original GOP cosponsors of H.R. 6919 include U.S. Reps. Ken Calvert (R-CA), Michael Burgess (R-TX), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Mike Bost (R-IL), Mike Kelly (R-PA), David Valadao (R-CA), and Buddy Carter (R-GA).

“If President Biden will not take action to address this blatant error and stop feeding the beast, Congress should pressure him to do so by passing the Prohibition on Imports of Russian Oil Act,” said Rep. Cole, noting that the bill, if enacted, “would cause immediate, crippling economic effects on the Russian economy.”

“Indeed, the United States must hold Putin’s regime accountable and stop further support of the atrocities committed,” he added.

H.R. 6919 has been referred to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee for consideration.

Also last week, Rep. Cole joined U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) in urging President Joe Biden to immediately institute an embargo on all Russian energy exports. In their March 1 letter, the lawmakers also encouraged America’s allies and global partners to take similar, immediate actions.