June 19, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 103 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages S3812-S3813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                               ESCAPE Act

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, we talked a lot in recent weeks about 
the importance of a transatlantic political and military alliance 
between our country and many other nations. In celebrating NATO's 70th 
anniversary in Washington a few months ago and the 75th anniversary of 
D-day in Europe, there has been a common theme, and that common theme 
has been security cooperation. The common theme has been a need to 
strengthen our response to threats that continue to arise around the 
globe.
  I believe energy security is a critical part of our shared defense. 
That is why I just introduced legislation to help our NATO allies 
escape Russian bullying by improving European energy security. My bill 
imposes sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline. It also speeds up 
U.S. natural gas exports to our NATO allies.
  For years I have raised concerns about Russia's energy export 
pipeline project. Nord Stream 2 would carry added Russian natural gas 
supplies to Germany via the Baltic Sea. It would do it along the 
existing Nord Stream 1 route. This pipeline will fuel Russian 
aggression as well as regional instability. For our sake and the sake 
of our allies, we must stop it.
  Nord Stream 2 makes Europe and our NATO allies more dependent on 
Russia and so more prone to Russian influence. It also means a massive 
money transfer from our allies straight into the Kremlin's pockets. 
That is new money that Russia can use to fund their military.
  As we know, Russian President Vladimir Putin is no friend. He is a 
dangerous foe, and he has plans to divide Europe and destroy NATO. 
Putin uses Russia's military and economy as tools of intimidation. One 
of Russia's biggest economic levers, of course, is its gas monopoly in 
Europe. In fact, Putin has a history of using his Russian energy 
resources as a geopolitical weapon.
  Russia literally threatens to turn off the gas if its demands are not 
met. Putin did cut off natural gas supplies to Ukraine in 2006, again 
in 2009, and most recently in 2014. Of course, 2014 was the year that 
Russia invaded Ukraine and Crimea. Currently, most Russian gas exports 
to Europe must cross Ukraine, but by using Nord Stream 2 to bypass this 
route, Russia can freely undermine Ukraine's economy.
  Putin threatens not just Ukraine but also our NATO ally Poland. Just 
last week Poland's President was here in Washington meeting with 
President Trump to discuss security issues. Unlike Germany, Poland is 
working to free itself from Russian energy reliance. Poland has signed 
a deal to buy an additional $8 billion of abundant reliable American 
natural gas, and this is on top of the $25 billion already under 
contract.
  At the meeting last week, President Trump said he is considering Nord 
Stream 2 sanctions. He also warned Germany to end its dependence on 
Moscow. President Trump rightly noted: ``We're protecting Germany from 
Russia and Russia is getting billions and billions of dollars from 
Germany.''
  The President is right. He went on to add: ``Reliance on a single 
foreign supplier of energy leaves nations totally vulnerable to 
coercion and extortion.''
  The Economist magazine calls Nord Stream 2 ``a Russian trap''--one 
that Germany has fallen into. I agree with the President and I agree 
with the Economist. Nord Stream 2 will completely undermine the 
European Union's efforts to diversify energy sources, suppliers, and 
routes.
  Already, Russia supplies nearly 40 percent of European Union gas 
imports, and European demand for natural gas is expected to continue to 
grow rapidly. Many of our NATO allies, especially Germany, are becoming 
addicted to Russian gas. It is time for American intervention.

[[Page S3813]]

  The bill I just introduced will help our allies to escape Putin's 
trap. The bill is actually called the ESCAPE Act. It stands for the 
Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe Act. It 
mandates sanctions on Nord Stream 2, as well as other Russian pipeline 
projects. At the same time, it speeds up U.S. gas exports to NATO 
allies. The bill also creates a transatlantic energy security strategy, 
and it directs our NATO representative to help our allies and our 
partners improve their own energy security.
  The ESCAPE Act builds on previous action in Congress. The Countering 
America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which Congress passed in 
2017, authorizes but does not require sanctions on Russian energy 
pipelines.
  In March of 2018, I led a bipartisan group of 39 Senators in sending 
a letter to key administration officials opposing Nord Stream 2. 
President Trump has made clear time after time that he believes 
Europe's reliance on Russian gas undermines regional security. The 
United States, especially Wyoming, has been blessed with abundant 
natural gas resources and supplies. We have more than enough gas to 
meet America's needs, as well as exporting gas to other countries. So 
why shouldn't we use some of these energy resources to help our friends 
in Europe, as well as our own energy workers here at home.
  Last summer I published an op-ed in the Washington Post saying:

       We made clear that we want to roll back Russia's energy 
     invasion of Europe. Now Congress should take the next step 
     and mandate sanctions.

  Freeing Europe from Russian energy dependence will strengthen both 
our allies and our NATO alliance. It is time to shut off Putin's 
pipeline valve and open Europe's escape valve. It is time to pass the 
ESCAPE Act.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.