Hoyer Remarks in Support of Russia and Iran Sanctions Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) delivered remarks on the House Floor today in support of the bipartisan legisation on Russia and Iran sanctions to be voted on today. Below is a video and a transcript of his remarks:

Click here to watch a video of his remarks.

“I thank the gentleman. I thank the Ranking Member for yielding, Mr. Engel, and I thank Mr. Royce. I have said this before, I will say it again, Mr. Royce as Chairman and Mr. Engel as Ranking Member are an example for, frankly, all of us of how to work together productively in a bipartisan fashion to reach a result that is good for our country, for our people, and indeed for international security. I also want to thank Senators Cardin and Corker for their leadership and their involvement.

“This legislation is the product of very careful, and sometimes difficult, negotiations on a bipartisan basis. It is a strong, tough, and an appropriate response for Russia’s attempts to meddle in our election process, its support for violent separatists in Ukraine, its illegal occupation of Crimea, and, yes, its unhelpful activity in Syria. It also imposes new sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile program, which threatens the United States, our Gulf allies, and Israel.

“Russia’s power comes from its ability to coerce other nations by its energy distribution in many instances. This bill seeks to make it harder for Russia to use that type of coercion and empower other nations to join us in standing up against Russian aggression.

“These sanctions will only be successful, however, if they are truly bipartisan and if Congress continues to play its important and necessary oversight role. Democrats and Republicans are coming together on this bill, Mr. Speaker, to ensure that the President cannot alter sanctions toward Russia without Congressional review. This is critical at a moment when our allies are uncertain about where this Administration stands with respect to Russian aggression.

“I remain open to additional sanctions on Russia’s energy sector at a later date if the Russian leader and his associates fail to heed the message of this bill that their business as usual cannot and must not continue.

“Once this bill passes the Senate, as I believe it will, Russia will know that sanctions levied because of its malevolent acts will be lifted only with the concurrence, either tacitly or expressly, of the Congress of the United States. There will be no side deals or turning a blind eye to its actions.

“This legislation, Mr. Speaker, will also make it clear that Russia’s interference in Ukraine comes with consequences, and it puts pressure on Iran to end its ballistic missile program. In addition, it deters, hopefully, North Korea from pursuing its dangerous development of nuclear weapons and vehicles to deliver those weapons as close as the western part of this country.

“I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and send it to the Senate as quickly as possible, and I yield back the balance of my time.”