WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) called on President Joe Biden to take all measures necessary to ensure that Vladimir Putin's premeditated, illegal invasion of Ukraine does not derail the momentum of the U.S. economy's recovery and maintain the historic economic gains being made following the pandemic's economic downturn.
In a letter to President Biden, Pappas wrote: "Russia's premeditated invasion of Ukraine has shocked the world. My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people needlessly put in harm's way by Vladimir Putin's violation of international law and determination to dictate a sovereign nation's future by force."
Pappas continued: "While we must use every tool to punish Russia, your Administration must also use every tool to shield the American people and our economy from being adversely impacted as a result of Russia's actions in Ukraine."
Pappas highlighted a number of proposals to ensure that America's economy can weather the geopolitical and economic storm caused by Russia's unwarranted invasion of Ukraine. These include: releasing inventory from our Heating Oil and Petroleum Reserves to lower energy costs, taking all possible actions to mitigate the potential rise in domestic food prices including releasing American Rescue Plan funds earmarked to help lower meat prices, protect businesses, governments, and individuals from the risk of Russian cyberattacks by shoring up our cyber security infrastructure and releasing funds dedicated to bolstering cyber security defenses passed through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment to Jobs Act, and protecting domestic manufacturing and supply chains by working to pass and sign into law the America COMPETES Act as quickly as possible.
The letter concludes: "As we continue to recover from the pandemic while confronting the threat posed by Russia's aggression abroad and the subsequent inflationary and supply chain challenges, I urge your Administration to do all it can to mitigate the economic consequences of this geopolitical upheaval."
The full text of the letter can be found here and below.
On February 22nd, Pappas called for sanctions on Russia following its annexation of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Ukraine. Last week, Pappas also called for sanctions against Russia should Vladimir Putin invade Ukraine and urged unity among NATO allies in standing against Vladimir Putin.
###
February 28, 2022
President Joseph R. Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
President Biden,
Russia's premeditated invasion of Ukraine has shocked the world. My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people needlessly put in harm's way by Vladimir Putin's violation of international law and determination to dictate a sovereign nation's future by force. While we must use every tool to punish Russia, your Administration must also use every tool to shield the American people and our economy from being adversely impacted as a result of Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Although the United States imports relatively little oil from Russia, the impact of Putin's invasion has sent global oil prices to a seven-year high and will likely increase costs for Americans at the gas pump. In November, I called for your Administration to lower energy costs by releasing inventory from our Heating Oil and Petroleum Reserves. As conditions worsen in Ukraine, this step must be taken immediately to provide financial relief to Americans and bring down costs.
The price of wheat has reached a nine-year high following Russia's invasion, and experts suggest rising food prices are likely. The last thing Americans need now is even higher prices at the grocery store. I urge your Administration to use every resource available to mitigate rising domestic food prices. In January, you announced $1 billion from the American Rescue Plan to help lower meat prices, and I urge you to release those and other funds at once.
Russian cyber threats remain a significant risk to American small businesses. New Hampshire businesses, local governments, schools, and even individuals cannot afford to be crippled by Russian attacks on our networks, electric grid, or other infrastructure. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes cyber security funding which I urge you to release as soon as possible and take additional actions to secure Americans from cyber threats.
I have heard from local manufacturers about the importance of raw materials and minerals to their businesses - much of which can be sourced from Russia. Metals including nickel have a wide variety of uses in high tech products and components. In order to combat negative impacts to our manufacturing economy and supply chains, it is vital your Administration and Congressional leadership take steps to shore up supply chains by working to pass and implement safeguards, including those included in the America COMPETES Act, which the House passed earlier this month.
As we continue to recover from the pandemic while confronting the threat posed by Russia's aggression abroad and the subsequent inflationary and supply chain challenges, I urge your Administration to do all it can to mitigate the economic consequences of this geopolitical upheaval.
Sincerely,
Chris Pappas
Member of Congress
Original source can be found here.
