Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), a member of the House Rules Committee and Republican Leader of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, sent a letter with the Ukraine Caucus to Secretary Pompeo requesting he apply sanctions on two Russian entities working to complete the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 between Russia and Germany. 

“The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is just another attempt by Russia to disrupt traditional western alliances and increase the world’s reliance on a desperate Russia,” said Burgess. “Sanctions levied due to their malign behavior have weakened Russia’s economy. We continue to witness attempts by Russia to weaponize technology to achieve their strategic goals, including a previous cyber-attack on Ukraine’s electric grid in the dead of winter. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is simply part of a strategy to further isolate Ukraine while establishing European dependence on Russian oil and gas. As the world’s democratic leader and foremost energy producer, we must ensure our European Allies have access to alternative energy sources. It is critical that sanctions authorized by the fiscal year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act on the Nord Stream 2 project are applied to two Russian entities working to finish the pipeline. Stopping Nord Stream 2 will protect our transatlantic alliance with Europe and limit Russia’s influence.”