Rep. Omar Statement on Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act

Washington - Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar issued the following statement after voting "no" on the Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act.

"I opposed the Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act, a bill that mandates a complete ban on Russian oil imports. The President clearly already has the authority to take this step - evident in that President Biden announced such a ban yesterday. But putting the specifics into statute with no sunset and no conditions for lifting the ban creates a dangerous scenario, one in which we are taking today's policy question and making it tomorrow's political question.

"The last time Congress passed significant trade restrictions on Russia was the Jackson-Vanik Amendment of 1974. Like this bill, it was motivated by genuine concern for human rights and human security. It was not repealed until 2012, more than 20 years after the fall of the Soviet Union, well after its usefulness had expired. I have serious concerns that the Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act will become yet another clear example where a policy stays on the books well past its utility because the political will to lift it has never materialized.

"One thing that is very clear is that our dependance on oil means a dependence on tyrants, and this has always been true. There is no meaningful principle at play in a decision to ban Russian oil but seek it from Saudi Arabia instead. I am also gravely concerned that this ban will mean ramping up domestic oil production. Yet another reason why we must move to a green economy that is proven to be the most reliable and cost efficient."