Economic Espionage Prevention Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1486. This is legislation that authorizes sanctions against any person or entity that provides material support for Russia's military and industrial defense base.

We know that Russia uses missiles, drones, planes, and rocket launchers to wreak havoc on Ukrainian cities and citizens. They do this to overthrow the government, to end democracy in Ukraine, and to seize Ukrainian territory to reconstitute a new Soviet Union, or at least a Soviet-like sphere of influence.

Ukrainians have bravely stood up to this unprovoked, unlawful aggression. The Ukrainian military has bravely fought back against the much larger Russian military and has repelled this invasion for years. The United States and its partners and allies have been critical to the defense of Ukraine, and Congress has been instrumental in the support we have provided.

As Russia continues to suffer heavy losses and economic hardship from waging this illegal invasion, it has turned to China and even Iran and North Korea for support. We absolutely should be bolstering sanctions not just on Russia's warmongering but also on its enablers.

China has played a crucial role in supporting Russia. Though they have not provided overt military support, they are continuing to provide dual-use goods, like industrial tools and semiconductors.

At a minimum, given its tendencies to appease Russia rather than pressure it, the Trump administration must maintain the current posture of deterrence with the existing tools it already has. The better approach is for this administration to also use the additional tools offered by this legislation to deter further PRC shipments of dual-use goods to Russia.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate Representative McCormick and Chairman Mast for negotiating further changes to this bill last week. I appreciate the bipartisan spirit that went into this legislation and for the work that both Ranking Member Meeks and his team have done on this legislation.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 1486 will authorize sanctions on any person or entity that supports Russia's military and defense industrial base. Russia expected to take Kyiv in a matter of days, but it has now been years as brave Ukrainians continue to defend their country and their sovereignty against Russia's illegal invasion.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative McCormick, and others for their work on this, as Russia has now had to turn to other nations for material support to continue that invasion, which is why Congress must not only continue our support of Ukraine but also authorize sanctions on those enabling Russia's war.

This is an important bill, and I am proud to support it. I hope we can put forward other legislation like this, including a few bills sponsored by Ranking Member Meeks that have passed with bipartisan support in the past.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source