Murphy Votes YES on Bill to Ban Russian Energy Imports, Addresses House

Washington, D.C. – Last night,Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) spoke on the House floor regarding H.R. 6968 – Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act. In his remarks, Rep. Murphy argued that while he would vote in favor of the bill, H.R. 6968 is a missed opportunity, because it abandons a previous stronger bipartisan effort to impose additional severe economic consequences on the brutal Putin regime. H.R. 6968 passed the House by a vote of 414-17 with Rep. Murphy's support. Watch his full speech here.

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

"Madam Speaker,

Today is day 14 of Putin's ruthless, senseless war on Ukraine. Yet, with all eyes on the United States, President Biden has STILL failed to impose the full necessary economic penalties on the Russian economy.

This week, Ways and Means Republicans and Democrats negotiated a strong bipartisan bill that imposed additional much-needed economic punishments on Putin's war effort. A historic bicameral deal that stopped both US imports of Russian oil AND suspended normal trade relations with Belarus and Russia.

That is, before the White House got involved. Right after we announced our bipartisan deal, the White House intervened and stalled negotiations. To be clear – the only reason why the Administration is taking any action at all is to be politically expedient. They stopped and stalled negotiations.

The White House has subsequently watered-down negotiations where now 40% of non-energy imports from Russia can still continue to enter under this plan. Fueling his war efforts.

While banning U.S. imports of Russian oil is critical, this weakened legislation fails to go the distance in truly holding Putin accountable for his shameful war crimes.

There is a special place in hell for evil despots who bomb children's hospitals.

We must do EVERYTHINGwe can to support Ukraine and prove to the world that a strong America will not allow brutal dictators to reign on this Earth without swift and ferocious consequence.

I yield back."