Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On The Need To Pass Legislation To Revoke Permanent Normal Trade Relations With Russia Without Delay

Washington, D.C. –  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding legislation to revoke Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia in response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Last week, the House acted in near-unanimous fashion to pass legislation revoking Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Russia. This legislation is very much needed for fighting Russia and holding Putin accountable for the carnage, the despicable, nasty, devilish carnage he has waged upon the Ukrainian people; this bill is one way to make sure he pays a heavy price for starting this bloody and savage war.

We need this legislation passed without delay. It got overwhelming support from Republicans in the House, including from Leader McCarthy. There's no reason to hold it up. Let's move it forward. Let's move it forward.

No nation so thoroughly soaked with the blood of innocent civilians as Russia deserves to have any kind of normal trade relations with the United States, and I call on my Republican colleagues to work with us to pass this legislation quickly. There is no reason – absolutely no reason – to delay its passage.

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