Congressmen Andy Levin (D-Michigan), Bill Keating (D-Massachusetts) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pennsylvania), members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced a bipartisan resolution titled Stop Profits for Putin: Responsible Businesses Should Exit Russian Markets. Since Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine began, more than 600 companies announced that they would withdraw, suspend, or scale back their operations in Russia, according to tracking by Yale professor and corporate social responsibility expert Jeffrey Sonnenfeld. The resolution condemns companies (except those providing lifesaving or health-related services) that refuse to exit Russian markets and are contributing to Vladmir Putin’s ability to fund his war in Ukraine. These critical sources of revenue undermine U.S. and European sanctions imposed in response to the illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
Congressman Levin hosted a virtual discussion with members of the Ukrainian American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan to highlight the importance of the resolution.
Image
“Simply put: companies that refuse to withdraw or cease operations in Russia are aiding and abetting Putin’s war-making capacity and furthering his ability to operate as a war criminal,” said Congressman Andy Levin. “As a representative of one of the most vibrant Ukrainian American constituencies in the country, I could not turn away from President Zelenskyy’s plea: ‘All American companies must leave Russia … leave their market immediately, because it is flooded with our blood.’ I’m proud to lead this effort with my colleagues as we work to do our part to reduce Putin’s ability to wage his unjust war of aggression in Ukraine.”
“As Vladimir Putin continues his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. government and the private sector must do everything in their power to drain the Kremlin’s war chest and prevent them from continuing their attack on Ukraine,” said Congressman Bill Keating, Chair of the Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment and Cyber. “This legislation calls on Americans to boycott our businesses that do not provide life-saving or health related goods and services in Russia. The Russian Federation’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine represents one of the greatest threats to democratic values since World War II and American industry must show leadership in holding the Kremlin to account.”
“I applaud the hundreds of companies across an array of economic sectors who have made the moral and ethical decision to exit the Russian market following its brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. We cannot underestimate the dire economic consequences that Putin and his corrupt regime will suffer from such actions,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “We must put pressure on the companies that continue to do business in or with Russia and are therefore helping fund Putin’s war machine to cease operations and exit the country immediately.”
“Americans of all backgrounds have come together to support Ukraine against Russia's unprovoked attack. Our nation's businesses, which form the largest economy in the world, have a powerful role to play in this effort,” said Congressman André Carson. “By choosing principle over profit, they can help stop Putin's aggression, aid the Ukrainian people, and bring about an end to the conflict. Our resolution compels all American businesses to make this critical choice.”
“Any company that has continued its business ties to Russia and, by doing so, has prioritized profit margins over the lives of the Ukrainian people, shouldn’t be making profits here in the United States,” said Congressman David Cicilline.
“American companies have a moral responsibility to suspend or withdraw their business in Russia for as long as Putin continues his unjust and deadly war in Ukraine,” said Congresswoman Marie Newman. “Unless your business is providing life-saving or essential services, there is no reason why your revenue should be funding a war that has already killed thousands of innocent lives and displaced millions more. I am proud to support Congressman Levin's Stop Profits For Putin resolution to condemn any American company that is still operating in Russia.”
“The Russian-Ukrainian war is at the top of all of our minds. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine poses an immediate threat not only to security and stability in Europe, but also to democratic values around the world,” said Congressman David Trone.“It pains me to see how this has impacted the people of Ukraine and how many lives have been lost. It’s clear that we must do everything we can to promote democratic values and protect human rights during these deeply troubling times.”
“The entire world has been horrified by the atrocities occurring during Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. In response, dozens of nations have worked together to impose sanctions aimed at crippling the Russian war machine,” said Congressman Mike Quigley, Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “As more and more war crimes are discovered in Ukraine, it is disheartening to know that American companies are still propping up the Russian economy and blunting the impacts of sanctions. It’s time for these companies to prove that they value people over profits.”
“Russia's colonial war on Ukraine is financed in part by taxes that Moscow collects from firms doing business in Russia. We strongly support every American company that refuses to help fund the Russian war machine,” said Mykola Murskyj, President of the Ukrainian American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan. “We're grateful for the bipartisan support Congress has shown to its Ukrainian-American constituents whose families in Ukraine are fighting to defend the existence of their nation.”
“American industries, commodities, services, manufacturing, and retail sectors must not be complicit in Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and democratic countries. We trust that the legislation Stop Profits for Putin: Responsible Businesses Should Exit Russian Markets initiated by Reps Andy Levin, Brian Fitzpatrick and Bill Keating will help the business community to stop fueling Putin’s war machine,” said Borys Potapenko, member of the Ukrainian American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan. “US economic prowess must work to contribute to peace, life, and freedom for Ukrainians and the peoples of the world.”
The resolution is cosponsored by Reps. Fitzpatrick, Keating, Quigley, Carson, Cicilline, Maloney (NY), Newman, Jackson Lee, Sherrill and Trone.
Source:https://andylevin.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-levin-keating-fitzpatrick-urge-companies-exit-russian-markets
