McMorris Rodgers, Barr, Graves urge Biden to reinstate pipeline sanctions on Russia

U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Garret Graves (R-LA), and Andy Barr (R-KY) joined 65 other House Republicans to express “strong objections” to President Joe Biden’s recent decision to waive sanctions for Russia’s Nord Stream 2AG natural gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea.

Biden’s actions, they said, effectively ensure the completion of the communist country’s Nord Stream 2, which will transport natural gas from Russia into the European Union. 

“The completion of Nord Stream 2, which was slowed during the Trump administration, will be a gift to Putin and his efforts to increase geopolitical influence in Europe,” wrote the members in a June 7 letter sent to the president. “This action, which will send more Russian natural gas to Europe, also puts U.S. resources at a distinct competitive disadvantage, costing American jobs and reducing America’s geopolitical influence.”

Reps. McMorris Rodgers, the ranking member of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Graves, ranking member of the House Select Climate Committee, Congressman Barr, and their colleagues also wrote that by waiving the sanctions, serious concerns have been raised about the Biden administration’s previous commitments made to Congress and to American allies on the project.

“Furthermore, given your open hostility to domestic pipelines like the Keystone XL pipeline, which also was a top priority for our Canadian allies, it is baffling that you are willing to green-light Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline,” the lawmakers wrote. “The Keystone XL pipeline would enhance our energy security and create job opportunities for Americans. Lifting these sanctions, however, prioritizes Russian energy over American energy and Russian jobs over American jobs.”

The members also pointed out that the recent cyber attack on the Colonial Pipeline is one more reminder of long-standing efforts by Russia to undermine American production and transport of energy.

“As the threat of American energy continues to grow, so does the Kremlin’s incentive to influence energy operations in Europe and the United States,” they wrote. “We urge you to rethink your action and fully implement the congressionally mandated sanctions against all responsible parties and actors to permanently stop completion of Nord Stream 2.”