Joaquin Castro: “I thank Ranking Member Engel for yielding. I also thank Chairman Royce for his leadership on the sanctions package. The…”

“I thank Ranking Member Engel for yielding. I also thank Chairman Royce for his leadership on the sanctions package. The American people have been waiting some time for the sanctions package to finally pass. This bill dials up our current sanctions on North Korea, Iran, and Russia to hold their governments accountable for their destabilizing actions. The Russia piece in this package is particularly necessary. Russia has flagrantly violated international law by invading Ukraine and interfering in American and European elections. These sanctions are a clear signal that the United States will hold President Putin and his close associates accountable for their actions. They are also a declaration that Congress can and will act, even when President Trump refuses to do so. In addition to these sanctions, Congress must continue to investigate to determine the scope of Russia's attack on America's democracy and establish which Americans, if any, aided in those efforts. Again, I thank Ranking Member Engel, Chairman Royce, and everyone in this Congress who has supported these sanctions.”