House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday backed proposals to ban Russian oil imports in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine.
A growing number of Democrats are calling on President Joe Biden to block the sale of Russian oil in the United States to punish Putin’s invasion. The U.S. imports about 670,000 barrels of crude oil and petroleum products from Russia each day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Some lawmakers argue cutting off these purchases would be financially crippling for Russia, deterring its aggression.
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“I’m all for that,” Pelosi told reporters about proposals to ban these imports. “Ban it. Ban the oil coming from Russia.”
Sens. Joe Manchin and Lisa Murkowski are expected to introduce a bipartisan bill that would block the U.S. government and U.S. companies from importing Russian crude oil or petroleum products for the duration of the invasion.
Biden indicated he is open to such a ban, telling reporters Wednesday that “nothing is off the table,” but White House officials have argued the move would reduce energy supply and raise gas prices.
Also during her press conference, Pelosi responded to a question about outbursts from Republican Reps. Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene during Biden’s State of the Union address this week, telling reporters she agrees with comments from South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham.
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“I agree with what Sen. Lindsey Graham said: ‘Shut up,’” Pelosi said. “I think they should just shut up.”
