{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://pascrell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-pascrell-says-congress-must-increase-russia-sanctions", "Rep. Pascrell Says Congress Must Increase Russia Sanctions", "2016-12-19", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bill Pascrell", "P000096", "pascrell.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), a member of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, wrote Congressional leaders calling for legislative action to confront Russia's geopolitical aggression by codifying economic sanctions and renewing support for international allies.\n\"These sanctions serve as an important tool to ensure Russia abandons its oppression at home and aggression abroad, which is why I am so concerned that they could be easily undone with the stroke of a pen by a future administration,\" Rep. Pascrell wrote in the letter. \"The United States must send a clear message that we will not stand idly by as President Putin bullies his neighbors, tests the commitment of NATO, and works to fracture Western democracies.\"\nThe letter asks leaders to prioritize the passage of the STAND for Ukraine Act (H.R. 5094), which would codify increased economic sanctions on Russia that are currently authorized through executive order.\nThe letter was sent to Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Minority Leader-Elect Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and copies were sent to President Barack Obama and President-Elect Donald Trump.\nLetter available here. Text of the letter is below.\nThe Honorable Paul Ryan  \n\tSpeaker of the House  \n\tH-232, U.S. Capitol  \n\tWashington, D.C. 20515\nThe Honorable Mitch McConnell  \n\tMajority Leader  \n\tUnited States Senate  \n\tWashington, DC 20510\nThe Honorable Nancy Pelosi  \n\tDemocratic Leader  \n\tH-204, U.S. Capitol  \n\tWashington, DC 20515\nThe Honorable Charles E. Schumer  \n\tMinority Leader-Elect  \n\tSenate Office Building  \n\tUnited States Senate\nDear Speaker Ryan, Leader McConnell, Leader Pelosi and Minority Leader-Elect Schumer:\nIn light of Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s continued meddling and aggression around the globe, I encourage you to prioritize our national security in the 115th Congress. One of the first items of business the Congress must consider next year is legislation to further tighten economic sanctions against Russia. Earlier this year, the House of Representatives unanimously passed the STAND for Ukraine Act to contain, reverse, and deter Russian aggression in Ukraine; support the sovereignty of Crimea against Russia\u2019s illegal annexation; and ultimately assist Ukraine\u2019s democratic transition. Advancing this bill would be an important show of American strength.\nPresident Putin\u2019s attempts to undermine global stability are boundless. Russia has cultivated networks of patronage across Central and Eastern Europe in order to influence and direct decision-making to serve the Kremlin's interests. Russia has continued to violate Ukrainian sovereignty by providing aid to separatists who attack Ukrainian military positions in Donetsk and Donbass, resulting in civilian casualties. In a similar vein, Russia continues to support the Syrian Government through its supply of ammunition and weapons, as well as its efforts to destroy opposition-controlled population zones and civilian infrastructure. The clear intent of these actions is to preserve Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his regime. Finally, U.S. intelligence clearly demonstrates that the Russian Government directed an extensive breach of e-mails from U.S. citizens and institutions, including U.S. political organizations, during our election. These actions threaten our democratic institutions, national security, and sovereignty \u2013 and warrant a swift, strong response.\nAs you know, the current sanctions on Russia were implemented in 2014 through executive orders relating to its actions in Ukraine. These sanctions serve as an important tool to ensure Russia abandons its oppression at home and aggression abroad, which is why I am so concerned that they could be easily undone with the stroke of a pen by a future administration. The United States must send a clear message that we will not stand idly by as President Putin bullies his neighbors, tests the commitment of NATO, and works to fracture Western democracies. That is why it is critical for the Congress to pass the STAND for Ukraine Act.\nThe STAND for Ukraine Act would codify the 2014 sanctions levied against Russia through executive orders into U.S. law, making it more difficult for future administrations to unravel our efforts to deter President Putin\u2019s aggression and disrespect for global order. This legislation builds on existing sanctions and sends a clear signal to Russia about the U.S.\u2019s commitment to this policy, just as we did during the Soviet Union\u2019s decades-long occupation of the Baltic States. Maintaining strict sanctions on Russia until it abandons its oppression at home and aggression abroad has always been a source of bipartisan support, evidenced by the strong bipartisan passage of every piece of legislation ramping up Russian sanctions. Now, more than ever, it is critical the United States stand up to President Putin by sending a clear message that Russia\u2019s aggression will not be tolerated.\nThank you very much for your attention to this matter.\nSincerely,\nBill Pascrell, Jr.  \n\tMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://pascrell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-pascrell-says-congress-must-increase-russia-sanctions"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4677990693598986, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}