PA Congressional Lawmakers Support Ban On Russian Energy Imports

The US took a stand and became the first nation to ban Russian energy imports, which account for less than 10% of overall oil imports in America.

Members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation have shown bipartisan support for President Joe Biden’s ban on Russian energy imports.

“This will place a severe economic loss on the Russian government and hold Russia accountable by further isolating it from the world and leaving it weakened in every way,” US Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawana) said in a written statement. 

Others took to social media to show their support.

Biden signed an executive order Tuesday to ban the import of Russian oil, liquified natural gas, and coal to the US. The order blocks any new purchases and winds down the deliveries of existing purchases. It also bans new investment in Russia’s energy sector.

Though Biden said the move would deal a “powerful blow to Putin’s war machine,” he warned the decision would be felt at home, where prices at the pump continue to rise. The current national average gas price is $4.31 per gallon, according to AAA. Last week it was $3.72 per gallon.

“Putin’s war is already hurting American families at the gas pump,” Biden said, adding, “I’m going to do everything I can to minimize Putin’s price hike here at home.”

According to the White House, the US was able to ban Russian energy imports because of strong domestic energy production and infrastructure. Russian oil accounts for just under 10% of overall oil imports in the US.In 2021, the US imported roughly 245 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products from Russia — a one-year increase of 24%, according to the US Energy Information Administration.