March 9, 2020

Status of legislation

116th Congress - Second Session

Not every piece of legislation referring to Ukraine is included here. However, I believe I have included all where some action (short of enactment) has taken place, and those pieces of legislation of which I think we should be aware for any number of reasons, including being able to know sponsors and co-sponsors.

If anyone thinks additional legislation should be included, please advise.

BILLS

SENATE BILLS

S. 1189 – Stopping Malign Activities from Russian Terrorism Act.

This legislation directs the Department of State to report to Congress as to whether Russia qualifies as a state sponsor of terrorism. The State Department is also to report to Congress as to whether the following armed entities qualify as terrorist organizations: (1) entities in the Donbass region of Ukraine controlled or aided by Russia, and (2) entities controlled by or associated with the Donetsk People’s Republic or Lugansk People’s Republic.

Sponsor – Cory Gardner (R-CO) – Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations’ Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy

Co-Sponsor – Robert Menendez (D-NJ) – Ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

ACTION: Introduced April 11, 2019, it has been reported out of Committee and is on the Senate’s Legislative Calendar.

S. 482 – Defending American Security from Kremlin Aggression Act.

Sponsor: Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

Co-sponsors: Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Cory Gardmer (R-CO), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

The legislation would impose limits on any U.S. withdrawal from NATO, amends provisions related to cybercrimes, and imposes sanctions on Russian individuals involved in various activities.

ACTION: Introduced on February 13, 2019 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations it was reported out of committee and it is on the Senate Legislative Calendar.

S. 3064 – Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act.

Senate companion to H.R. 5408. (below)  Introduced December 17, 2019 and referred to Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Sponsor – Roger Wicker (R-MS). No co-sponsors.

HOUSE BILLS

H.R. 1404 – Vladimir Putin Transparency Act.

This legislation directs the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to report to Congress about Russian President Putin. The report shall address topics including: (1) Putin’s estimated net worth and known sources of income; (2) intermediaries, including shell companies, that he uses; and (3) the identities of the most significant Russian senior officials and oligarchs who facilitate his corrupt acts.

Sponsor: Val Butler Demings (D-FL).

Co-sponsors: Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Van Taylor (R-TX), and Steve Cohen (D-TN)

ACTION: Introduced February 27, 2019 and referred to House Committees on Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, and Financial Services. Reported by those committees and passed the House, has gone to Senate where it has been referred to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

H.R. 596 – Crimea Annexation Non-recognition Act.

The bill prohibits any federal agency from taking any action or extending any assistance that recognizes or implies recognition of Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea, its airspace, or its territorial waters. (The President may waive such prohibitions on a case-by-case basis if such a waiver is vital to United States national interests.)

Sponsor: Gerald Connolly (D-VA)

Co-sponsors: Steve Chabot (R-OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Brenden Boyle (D-PA), Austin Scott (R-GA), Michael Conaway (R-TX), Paul Cook (R-CA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Randy K. Weber, Sr. (R-TX), David Cicilline (D-RI), William Keating (D-MA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Denny Heck (D-WA), James Himes (D-CT), Scott Perry (R-PA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Dina Titus (D-NV), Van Taylor (R-TX), and Steve Cohen (D-TN).

ACTION: Introduced January 16, 2019 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. It passed the House on March 12, 2019 and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

H.R. 5408 – Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act

The legislation includes Findings most, if not all, readers here would know about and states that it is the policy of the United States to consider any official of the Government of Russia responsible for or directly or indirectly carried out violations of religious freedom in the territory of Ukraine subject to the application of 212(a)(2)(G) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (prohibiting the issuance of a visa); and designates Russia as a country of particular concern for religious freedom.

Sponsor – Joe Wilson (R-SC) – Ranking Republican on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, etc.

Co-Sponsors: Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Mark Meadows (R-NC) [Just named President Trump’s new White House Chief of Staff], Gwen Moore (D-WI), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Andy Harris (R-MD), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Dean Phillips (D-MN), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Josh Harder (D-CA), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Robert Aderholt ((R-AL), Cynthia Azne (D-IA), Mike Bost (R-IL), and Brad Sherman (D-CA).

ACTION: Introduced December 12, 2019 and referred to House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Judiciary. Reported out of the Foreign Affairs Committee on March 4, 2020. No action yet in Judiciary.

H.R. 3047 – U.S.-Ukraine Security Cooperation Enhancement Act

The legislation would authorize the President to treat Ukraine as a major non-NATO ally for purposes of the transfer of defense articles and services until Ukraine accedes to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The bill also expands the Department of Defense’s authority to provid security assistance to Ukraine to include the provision of anti-tank, anti-ship, and antiaircraft weapons systems.

Sponsor – Michael McCaul (R-TX) – Ranking Republican on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs

Co-Sponsors: Eliot Engel (D-NY) – Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs – Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), William Keating (D-MA), Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Greg Pence (R-IN), John Ratcliffe (R-TX), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), and Steve Chabot (R-OH).

ACTION: The bill was introduced May 30, 2019 and has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. No action has been taken in committee.

H.R. 3841 – Stopping Aggressive Incursions on Liberty by Ordering Russian Sanctions Act.

Sponsor: Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) – Co-Chair House Ukraine Caucus.

Co-sponsros: Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Andy Harris (R-MD)

ACTION: Introduced July 18, 2019 and referred to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Judiciary. On August 12, 2019 the Judiciary Committee referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

H.R. 4721 – No Russia in G7 Act.

Sponsor: Katie Hill (D-CA). No Longer in Congress.

Co-sponor: Albio Sires (D-NJ)

ACTION: Introduced October 17, 2019 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

H.R. 1617 – Kremlin Act

Among its many provisions there is the provision of additional lethal military equipment to Ukraine and Georgia.

Sponsor: Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Il).

Co-sponsors: Chris Stewart (R-UT), Van Taylor (R-TX), and Steve Cohen (D-TN).

ACTION: Introduced March 17, 209 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

RESOLUTIONS

House Resolutions:

H.Res. 546 – Disapproving the Russian Federation’s inclusion in future Group of Seven summits until it respects the territorial integrity of its neighbors and adheres to the standards of democratic societies.

Sponsor – Albio Sires (D-NJ) – Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, etc.

Co-sponsors: Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Katie Hill (D-CA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Harley Rouda (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Joe Courtney (D-CT), John Yarmuth (D-KY), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Colin Allred (D-TX), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), James Langevin (D-RI), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), John Larson (D-CT), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) Mark Takano (D-CA), Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. (D-CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Seth Moulton (D-MA), John Shimkus (R-IL), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), William Keating (D-MA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Susan Wild (D-PA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Ami Bera (D-CA), Theodore Deutch (D-FL), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Dina Titus (D-NV), David Cicilline (D-RI), Michael Doyle (D-PA), Andy Levine (D-MI), James McGovern (D-MA), Elaine Luria (D-VA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Dean Phillips, D-MN), Abigail Davis Spanberger (D-VA), and Denny Heck (D-WA).

ACTION: Introduced August 30, 2019 reported from the Committee on Foreign Affairs and passed by the House on December 3, 2019.

H.Res. 487 – Expressing full support to the Ukrainian people in their aspiration to continue consolidating their democracy and rule of law.

Sponsor – William Keating (D-MA) – Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, etc.

Co-sponsors: Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Jim Costa (D-CA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), David Cicilline (D-RI), Albio Sires (D-NJ), and David Trone (D-MD).

ACTION: Introduced July 12, 2019 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

H.Res. 510 – Affirming United States support to the countries of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova in their effort to retain political sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Sponsor: Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Co-Sponsors – William Keating (D-MA), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), and Mike Quigley (D-IL).

ACTION: Introduced on July 23, 2019 and referred to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Ways and Means.

H.Res. 802 – Affirming the United States vital interest in liberty in Europe and resolute support for Ukraine in its efforts to counter Russian aggression and continue its trajectory among the community of democracies.

Sponsor – Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) – Co-Chair House Ukraine Caucus

Co-sponsors – Andy Harris (R-MD), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Paul Cook (R-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Jom Costa (D-CA), Time Ryan (D-OH), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Steven Cohen (D-TN), David Price (D-NC), Randy Weber, Sr, (R-TX), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Michael Burgess (R-TX), Dean Phillips (D-MN), and Denny Heck (D-WA).

ACTION: Introduced January 16, 2020 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and then to its Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, etc.

H.Res. 116 - calling for a prompt multinational freedom of navigation operation in the Black Sea and urging the cancellation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Companion to S.Res 27.

Sponsor – Michael Conaway (R-TX).

Co-sponsors: Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Rob Bishop (R-UT), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Mark Meadows (R-NC) – now White House Chief of Staff – John Ratclife (R-TX), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Randy K. Weber, Sr. (R-TX), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Michael Turner (R-OH), Denny Heck (D-WA), Pete Olson (R-TX), C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), James Himes (D-CT), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Greg Gianforte (R-MT), Andre Carson (D-IN), Paul Mitchell (R-MI), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), and Dean Pillips (D-MN).

ACTION: Introduced February 8, 2019 and referred to House Committees on Foreign Affairs, Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, Judiciary, and Ways and Means.

H.Res. 672 – Expressing support of the Three Seas Initiative in its efforts to increase energy independence and infrastructure connectivity thereby strengthening the United States and European national security.

Sponsor: Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)

Co-sponsors: Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), William Keating (D-MA), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Greg Pence (R-IN), Lance Gooden (R-TX), Jim Costa (D-CA), Francis Rooney (R-FL), Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Andy Harris (R-MD), Randy K. Weber, Sr. (R-TX), Denny Heck (D-WA), Michael Turner (R-OH), Mie Quigley (D-IL), David Price (D-NC), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), David Trone (D-MD), Bill Johnson ( R-OH), Vincente Gonzales (D-TX), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Michael Guest (R-MS), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Paul Cook (R-CA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Ann M. Kuster (D-NH), Brain Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Donald Beyer (D-VA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Tim Ryan (D-OH), James Himes ( D-CT), Josh Harder (D-CA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), and Filemon Vela (D-TX).

ACTION: Introduced October 31, 2019 and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

H.Res. 474 – Condemning the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to restore full rights to Russia within the Council.

Sponsor – Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)

Co-sponsors: Andy Harris (R-MD), Mike Quigley (D-IL), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)

​ACTION: Introduced July 2, 2019. Referred to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, Oversight and Reform, Financial Services.

SENATE RESOLUTIONS:

S.Res. 27 – A resolution calling for a prompt multinational freedom of navigation operation in the Black Sea and urging the cancellation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Sponsor – Ron Johnson (R-WI) – Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations’ Subcommittee on Europe and Vice Chair Senate Ukraine Caucus.

Co-sponsors: Richard Durbin (D-IL), James Risch (R-ID), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), James Inhofe (R-OK), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jeanne (D-NH), John Barrasso (R-WY), Christopher Murphy (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Roy Blunt (R-MO), John Boozman (R-AR), Mike Braun (R-IN), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Thomas Carper (D-DE), Robert Casey (D-PA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Christopher Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Michael Enzi (R-WY), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R0IA), Margaret Wood Hassan (D-NH), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Doug Jones (D-AL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), James Lankford (R-OK), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Gary Peters (D-MI), Rob Portman (R-OH), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), John Thune (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Chris Van Holeen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Todd Young (R-IN), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), David Perdue (R-GA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA). In case you are counting that is 66 co-sponsors.

ACTION: Introduced January 24, 2019, reported out of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and it is on the Senate Legislative Calendar.