Washington, D.C. – Today, ahead of President Joe Biden addressing the nation, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. issued the following statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Missteps, weakness, and inaction by the Biden administration sent the Kremlin a clear signal that the U.S. will continue to lead from behind and not seriously act to deter Russia,” said Senator Marshall. “To be clear, President Biden and a large number of Senate Democrats rejected Republican efforts to impose sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 project. Now that Russian troops are openly taking over parts of Ukraine, this White House will now try to play catch up. At this point there is no other option but for President Biden to join in our efforts to exert maximum pressure on Russia through major sanctions and a military aid package.”
Background:
Senator Marshall’s office is in close contact with the U.S. Department of State and urging Kansans seeking assistance with exiting Ukraine to email his office at EvacHelp@Marshall.Senate.Gov or call (785) 829-9000. Staff can provide information and instructions on the process of safely evacuating Americans from Ukraine. You may click HERE or on the image below for video of Senator Marshall’s video statement.
Today, Germany announced it has pulled the plug on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Last year, the Biden administration waived sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline and sat quiet as Russian hackers attacked America twice. In January, Senator Marshall supported the Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Implementation Act, legislation introduced by Senator Ted Cruz to impose immediate sanctions on the Russian government’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Unfortunately, the legislation failed after Senate Democrats voted against it.
Senator Marshall joined his colleagues last week to introduce the Never Yielding Europe’s Territory (NYET) Act to provide the critical support Ukraine needs to defend itself and deter Russian aggression, while imposing real costs on the Kremlin for its ongoing and potential future aggression against Ukraine. The NYET Act:
Imposes real costs on Russia:
- Immediately stops construction of the Nord Stream 2 project and would mandate sanctions on the project without a waiver should Russia invade. Prior to an invasion, the bill suspends sanctions for as long as the German government continues to suspend the certification process.
- Sends a clear deterrent message to Putin that an invasion of Ukraine will result in massive economic consequences to Russia’s economy, including:
- Sanctions on major Russian banks; and
- Secondary sanctions on banks that continue business with sanctioned Russian banks.
- Sanctions Putin’s cronies, enablers, and major banks before Russia further invades Ukraine to ensure Putin pays a price now for hybrid attacks already launched.
- Allows any chairman or ranking member of a national security committee to force a determination from the president on whether Russia’s aggression against Ukraine constitutes a major escalation and fulfills conditions to trigger sanctions.
Supports Ukraine before, during, and after a Russian escalation:
- Provides $500 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Ukraine, including $250 million in emergency funding, with $100 million for emergency lethal assistance for critical capabilities like air defense, anti-armor, and anti-ship capabilities.
- Creates a new Ukraine Resistance Fund to help Ukraine resist attempts to occupy or subjugate any new territory Russia seizes, while sending a clear message to Putin that his military will pay a price for advances into sovereign Ukrainian territory.
- Authorizes a new Lend-Lease authority for Ukraine.
- Expedites congressional review of arms sales and security assistance to Ukraine.
Counters Russian malign influence and aggression throughout Europe:
- Doubles funding for U.S. military exercises in Europe.
- Creates a new State Department FMF program for Eastern Europe to help European allies strengthen their own defensive capabilities and incentivize greater burden-sharing.
- Boosts funding for State Department efforts to counter Russian disinformation, including the Global Engagement Center, and expands broadcasting by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Text of the NYET Act can be found here.
