Hudson Introduces Resolution Opposing Russian Nord Stream II Pipeline: "Drastic Step Backwards"

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the Biden administration's action to waive sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream II pipeline, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), a member of the House Energy Action Team, introduced a resolution today opposing the pipeline and urging President Biden to stand up to Russia. It also calls out the Biden administration for reversing on previous statements made against Nord Stream II.

Rep. Hudson was joined by 16 original cosponsors.

"As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and U.S. Helsinki Commission, I am focused on both expanding America's energy economy and holding Russia accountable. President Biden's decision to green light the Nord Stream II pipeline seriously undermines both of these goals," said Rep. Hudson. "At the same time President Biden stopped an American pipeline that would create American jobs, he has approved a Russian pipeline that would strengthen Russia's stranglehold on Europe. This ridiculous logic is a slap in the face to American workers, as well as our allies in Europe who will now fall even more under Russia's thumb."

Rep. Hudson's resolution states that President Biden has called Nord Stream II "a bad deal for Europe." In his confirmation hearing, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, "I am determined to do whatever we can to prevent that completion." Additionally, the Biden administration has identified that affiliates of Nord Stream II have engaged in sanctionable activity.

If passed, the resolution states that the House of Representatives, "finds that Nord Stream II is a drastic step backwards for European energy security and United States interests; calls upon the Biden administration to revoke the national interest waiver reportedly granted to Nord Stream II AG and Nord Stream II AG head Matthias Warnig; urges the President to use all available means to support European energy security through a policy of reducing reliance on the Russian Federation; and urges the President to prioritize the fight against corruption and kleptocracy in Europe by sanctioning those Russian oligarchs and cronies who use dirty money to undermine the rule of law and democracy, as in the case of Nord Stream II."

Hudson, who is a chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly First Committee, secured an amendment to the Helsinki Commission's Berlin Declaration in July 2018 that opposed the construction of the Nord Stream II pipeline which would carry natural gas from Russia to Germany – bypassing allies in Eastern Europe. Rep. Hudson has expressed serious concerns on the advancement of this pipeline, as Russia has not acted in good faith and could use this new export capability to intimidate European nations.

"Should Europe refuse Russian demands, Russia could easily cut off energy exports to the European Union, leaving Europe in an energy crisis. Our allies should never have to operate under fear of Russian retaliation and blackmail," continued Rep. Hudson.

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