Hyde-smith backs effort to reinstate Russian pipeline sanctions

Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) joined U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) in introducing the Protecting Our Well-being by Expanding Russian Sanctions (POWERS) Act. The legislation would reinstate sanctions related to the Russian Nord Stream II pipeline, which was waived by the Biden Administration.

The POWERS Act would build on sanctions which were previously enacted last December by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The sanctions would be expanded to include any subcontractors or any group working on the pipeline. The POWERS Act would also reinstate sanctions which were previously enacted on the company managing the project and its corporate officers.

“President Biden’s cancellation of Keystone XL pipeline construction eliminated thousands of American jobs and reduced our nation’s level of energy independence.  Now the Biden Administration is adding insult to injury by paving the way for Russian energy dominance by waiving sanctions related to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project,” said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Hyde-Smith was one among many who signed a letter to Biden in March, expressing concerns about the refusal to impose sanctions. Those concerns were accompanied by a warning that such inaction would cause the U.S. and it’s European allies to be less resistant to Russian Coercion.

“Rolling back these sanctions, which have had previous bipartisan congressional support, sends the wrong message to many hardworking Americans, as well as our European allies and adversaries around the globe,” she said.  “Congress should act as soon as possible to restore these sanctions.”

Cosponsors for the POWERS Act include Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).