WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) released the following statement after voting in favor of sanctioning Russia regarding the Nord Stream 2 pipeline on Thursday. The pipeline, once operational, would enable Russia to bypass Ukraine and deliver natural gas directly to European nations.

“At a time when Democrats are falsely accusing us of undermining democracy here at home, it’s quite ironic they are supporting policies that benefit a Russian regime that is increasingly hostile toward a democratic Ukraine. Make no mistake, avoiding sanctions on Vladimir Putin’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline allows him direct access to European markets, further handcuffs Ukraine, and jeopardizes America’s national security. Domestically, President Biden has killed U.S. pipelines that would ensure our energy security and provide many hardworking Americans with good-paying jobs, yet his foreign policy hypocritically supports Russia in its quest for global energy dominance.

“It’s past time the Biden administration prioritize American pipelines, energy, and jobs, and finally stand up for the interests of the United States and our allies abroad.”

BACKGROUND:

In March 2021, Senator Capito joined her colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden urging him to impose sanctions against those who are involved with the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

In January 2021, Senator Capito released a statement on the first day of President Biden’s term, criticizing his decision to cancel the Keystone XL Pipeline.

In 2019, Senator Capito voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, which included the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act that could be used a tool to sanction those involved with the pipeline, but President Biden has failed to do so.

In 2017, Senator Capito voted in favor of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which was used then to impose the sanctions that have since been removed by President Biden.

Senator Capito is a cosponsor of the Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe (ESCAPE) Act, which would expedite the approval of U.S. natural gas exports to allied countries and impose sanctions on Russia for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, as well as other Russian export pipelines.

Capito is also a cosponsor of the Protecting Our Well-being by Expanding Russian Sanctions (POWERS) Act, which would reinstate any sanctions waved by the administration with respect to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

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