March 17,2022

Crapo: To Hold Putin Accountable, Congress Must Pass PNTR Suspension and Russian Oil Ban

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued the following statement on the need to suspend Russia’s permanent normal trade relations and impose an energy importation ban:    

“Ukrainian President Zelenskyy implored Congress for ‘new packages of sanctions … until the Russian military machine stops.’  Congress must support him and the Ukrainian people by immediately passing legislation to impose a Russian energy importation ban and revoke Russia and Belarus’s favorable trading status.  Congress must insist through meaningful certification criteria that Russia and Belarus continue to suffer these consequences until their war of aggression ceases and Ukraine’s right—along with that of our NATO allies—to be free and secure is restored.      

“The House recently passed two separate bills: one to ban oil imports (H.R. 6968), and one to revoke PNTR status (H.R. 7108).  The Senate should combine these measures as we did in S. 3786, which reflects an agreement reached by top Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means leaders, and quickly pass this legislation.”   

The Crapo, Wyden legislation:  

  • Bans imports of Russian energy products, such as oil, gas and coal, except for products imported within 45 days of enactment.
  • Suspends Russia’s Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status, and revokes the current waiver Belarus uses to get most favorable nation (MFN) status. 
    • Provides the President with authority to restore normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus subject to his ability to certify certain conditions and congressional disapproval.
  • Allows the President to restore prior tariff treatment and allow energy imports if the President can specifically certify that Russia and/or Belarus has:
    • Ceased aggression against Ukraine;
    • Present(s) no immediate threat to NATO; and
    • Recognize(s) a free and independent Ukraine including the ability to choose its own government.
  • Calls for countries to take action on suspending concessions at the WTO and halt Belarus’ accession to the WTO.