Two members of the “Squad” voted against banning oil imports from Russia.
On Wednesday night, the House passed legislation banning imports of Russian oil. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the House has been “talking about doing the Russian ban for a while. And we’re so pleased that the president has done that.”
She added, “But you’re here in a legislature. This is a democratic process where people weigh the equities, express their views.”
The Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act states that “all products of the Russian Federation classified under chapter 27 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States shall be banned from importation into the United States, other than products imported on or before 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time on the date that is 45 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.”
Still, the president “may allow certain products described in such paragraph to be imported into the United States if the importation of such products is pursuant to a written contract or agreement that was entered into before the date of the enactment of this Act.”
While 414 lawmakers voted in favor of the bill, two Democrats and 15 Republicans voted against it, including Reps. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.).
Lawmakers in both parties have been eager to act, willing to risk higher gas prices at home in order to support Ukraine. https://t.co/4tvm3CDaQo
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 10, 2022
On Tuesday, Omar told The Hill the bill is “not only going to have a devastating impact on the people of Russia, but on Europe as well.”
She added, “When we’re having these conversations, they can’t be about just the immediate, gratifying response that we want to come up with.”
Biden announced earlier this week a ban on Russian imports of oil and gas.
“The United States is targeting the main artery of Russia’s economy,” Biden said. “That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable at U.S. ports, and the American people will deal another powerful blow to Putin’s war machine.”