This resolution calls on major U.S. companies still operating in Russia to reconsider their continued presence after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Supporting Americans who use their free speech rights to boycott U.S. firms still operating in Russia, the resolution condemns those companies, who provide financial benefits to the Putin regime and enable the regime to continue to wage war in Ukraine.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 274 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 274
Calling on major United States companies still operating in the Russian
Federation to reconsider their continued presence given Russia's full-
scale invasion of Ukraine.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 3, 2023
Mr. Keating (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Kaptur, and Mr. Quigley)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Calling on major United States companies still operating in the Russian
Federation to reconsider their continued presence given Russia's full-
scale invasion of Ukraine.
Whereas, on February 24, 2022, the Government of the Russian Federation, led by
Vladimir Putin, launched an expanded invasion of Ukraine;
Whereas, on February 18, 2023, Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a
statement stating that, ``based on a careful analysis of the law and
available facts, I have determined that members of Russia's forces and
other Russian officials have committed crimes against humanity in
Ukraine'';
Whereas, on February 18, 2023, while attending the Munich Security Conference,
Vice President Kamala Harris stated that the United States has formally
determined that members of Russia's forces and other Russian officials
have committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine;
Whereas, while visiting Kyiv in February 2023, President Biden said, ``The cost
that Ukraine has had to bear has been extraordinarily high, and the
sacrifices have been far too great'', while underscoring that, ``the
Americans stand with you, and the world stands with you'';
Whereas the United States, in tandem with allies and partners, has imposed
unprecedented and expansive sanctions against Russia resulting in swift
and severe economic costs;
Whereas, on May 3, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a Sample
Letter to Companies Regarding Disclosures Pertaining to Russia's
Invasion of Ukraine and Related Supply Chain Issues based on the
potential direct and indirect material impacts of the invasion on
companies with business operations or relationships in Russia, Belarus,
or Ukraine;
Whereas Article 9 of Russian Federal Law No. 31-FZ, amended in September 2022,
obliges all companies present in Russia to contribute to a ``partial
mobilization'' in support of the war effort by facilitating the
conscription of eligible staff and providing material support upon
demand of the Russian military;
Whereas, on December 21, 2022, during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy to Washington, DC, President Biden reaffirmed efforts to hold
Russia accountable for its war crimes in Ukraine;
Whereas, as of March 20, 2023, according to the United Nations Office of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has
caused at least 22,209 civilian casualties, with 8,317 killed and 13,892
injured, as well as forcibly displaced more than 13,000,000 Ukrainians
with estimates likely severely undercounting the actual toll;
Whereas, on March 16, 2022, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urged that ``All
American companies must leave Russia . . . leave their market
immediately, because it is flooded with [Ukrainian] blood'';
Whereas in the same speech, President Zelenskyy called on Congress to lead by
pressuring companies ``who finance the Russian military machine'' and
conduct ``business in Russia'' and to ``make sure that the Russians do
not receive a single penny that they use to destroy people in Ukraine'';
Whereas a team at the Yale School of Management has compiled a list of over
1,000 major foreign companies that have curtailed their operations in
Russia since February 24, 2022;
Whereas, according to the same Yale database of major foreign companies, 27
American companies are ``defying demands for exit or reduction of
activities'' and continue to operate in Russia despite the horrific
crimes taking place in Ukraine;
Whereas, according to the same Yale database, 47 American companies are
``holding off new investments/development'' but are continuing
substantive business inside Russia;
Whereas in testimony before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on
Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets on November
15, 2022, it was noted that ``international sanctions and voluntary
business retreats have exerted a devastating effect over Russia's
economy'';
Whereas, by refusing to reduce, cease, or withdraw operations in Russia, these
companies contribute to undermining efforts undertaken by the United
States and its allies that are intended to deter further Russian
aggression;
Whereas a number of United States and multinational companies that do business
in Russia do not provide lifesaving or health-related goods and services
to the Russian people and contribute to Putin's ability to wage war and
commit war crimes in Ukraine by providing revenue for the Russian
Government; and
Whereas individuals around the world have chosen to boycott certain companies
that continue to operate in Russia and provide financial benefits to the
Putin regime: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) calls on major United States companies still operating
in the Russian Federation to reconsider their continued
presence given Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine;
(2) supports and encourages Americans who choose to
exercise their free speech rights by boycotting companies that
do not provide lifesaving or health-related goods and services
to the Russian people yet continue to operate in Russia;
(3) condemns companies that continue to operate in Russia
and provide financial benefits to the Putin regime that enable
his ability to continue waging war in Ukraine;
(4) encourages American companies who provide goods and
services to democracy activists in Russia to create specific
programs to continue to make those goods and services available
to support democracy-promotion initiatives;
(5) commends companies that have already suspended
operations in or withdrawn from markets in Russia in response
to the Putin regime's unlawful invasion of Ukraine; and
(6) calls on the Department of State to issue a business
advisory to inform individuals, businesses, financial
institutions, and other persons of the heightened risks
associated with conducting business in Russia, particularly
business activity that could benefit the Putin regime, and
include a list of the types of risks associated with continued
business, such as the need to conduct heightened due diligence,
and particularly at-risk business partners including Russian
state agencies, State-owned and affiliated businesses, and
oligarchs.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
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