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

Washington, D.C. –  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding the need for the Senate to act quickly to revoke Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia as another step to hold Putin accountable for his invasion in Ukraine. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

As President Biden begins the most important foreign trip of his Presidency, the best thing the Senate can do this week is pass PNTR legislation to land another devastating blow on Putin’s economy.

Over the past few weeks, Republicans have complained that President Biden hasn’t acted quickly enough against Putin, yet for the past few days they have stymied swift action on PNTR despite the fact that the House approved it 424-8, with Leader McCarthy supporting it.

In particular, the Senior Senator from Idaho has sought to amend the bill to include an oil ban. We are willing to work with Senator Crapo to address his concerns, but there are a few reasons we should move quickly with PNTR.

First, President Biden has already implemented a ban on Russian oil and gas, so passing this legislation is not a priority the way PNTR is.

Second, there remain serious questions about whether the proposal from the Republicans would delay the ban on buying Russian oil for a period of time. This is a consequence no one wants. Senator Manchin brought this up when he saw the language, and we have to make it certain that this proposal isn't weaker than what the President has put into effect.

Third, showing unity, particularly at this time when the President is meeting with our European allies, is especially important.

And finally, the House is not in session; any changes we make to the PNTR legislation delays enactment by at least a week. There is no reason—absolutely no reason—to change what the House has already approved on PNTR and delay action by a week or more.

Again, Democrats are willing to work with Senator Crapo on this issue if he can agree to let this process move forward.

So let me say it again: PNTR has already been approved overwhelmingly by the House and it’s the most logical next step in the fight against Putin’s barbaric war and the Senate should thus act. Republicans who complain of delay are the ones who are delaying.

The Senate has been most effective when working quickly and in unison to support the President and our European allies against Vladimir Putin—passing PNTR with overwhelming bipartisan support is another chance to do just that.

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