Congressman votes to ban Russian oil imports, send aid to Ukraine
Congressman Salud Carbajal
Measure would provide $13.6 billion in humanitarian, security aid to Ukraine, authorize new sanctions
– This week, Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-SB), joined a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives to pass measures that support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, hold Russia accountable for its attack, and cut off key funding sources for Russia’s war effort.
“In Washington, I am continuing to work with my colleagues in both parties to support the Ukrainian people and make sure Russia is paying a steep price for their unprovoked attack,” said Carbajal. “Today, I voted to defund Russia’s war effort by cutting off American imports of Russian gas—a key revenue source for Vladimir Putin–as well as authorize new sanctions and provide additional aid to Ukraine to help the civilians in harm’s way.”
“I know that many Californians have seen the effects of this crisis at their local gas station,” Carbajal continued. “But America does not need to choose between defending our democratic values and protecting our economic interests. The U.S. can and will use our Strategic Petroleum Reserve and additional supply from our energy-producing partners to offset the rising price of oil and gas. Let me be clear: while Putin’s war is driving up prices at the pump, we cannot drill our way out of this price spike. The only way to reduce our dependence on the volatility of oil markets is to reduce our dependence on oil itself.”
Carbajal also voted to approve $13.6 billion in emergency humanitarian, economic, and security assistance for Ukraine as a part of a federal spending package that is expected to become law over the course of the next week. This includes more than $4 billion for emergency food assistance, health care, and other humanitarian support for Ukrainians displaced by the Russian invasion.
Additionally, Carbajal voted with a bipartisan majority to approve legislation that will formalize President Biden’s ban on the import of Russian oil and gas – a key source of revenue for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war effort.
The measure passed by the House today also authorizes new sanctions against members of the Russian government and military who are engaged in human rights abuses in Ukraine.
Rep. Salud Carbajal represents California’s 24th congressional district, encompassing Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and part of Ventura County. He sits on the House Armed Services Committee, Agriculture Committee, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he serves as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
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