No Russian Tunnel to Crimea Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7701) to require the imposition of sanctions with respect to any foreign person that knowingly participates in the construction, maintenance, or repair of a tunnel or bridge that connects the Russian mainland with the Crimean peninsula.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7701, the No Russian Tunnel to Crimea Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by the gentleman from New York, Ranking Member Meeks, and the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. Wilson.

China has provided Russia with extensive dual-use goods that by the administration's own admission have helped Russia revitalize its defense industrial base, rebuild its military, and continue its genocidal campaign of aggression against Ukraine.

Aiding in the construction of repair of any infrastructure connecting Russia and Crimea would be yet another example of Chairman Xi's ``no limits partnership'' with Putin.

Mr. Speaker, for this reason, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, September 3, 2024.

Hon. Michael McCaul,

Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman McCaul: I write regarding H.R. 7701, the No

Russian Tunnel to Crimea Act. Provisions of this bill fall

within the Judiciary Committee's Rule X jurisdiction, and I

appreciate that you consulted with us on those provisions.

The Judiciary Committee agrees that it shall be discharged

from further consideration of the bill so that it may proceed

expeditiously to the House floor.

The Committee takes this action with the understanding that

forgoing further consideration of this measure does not in

any way alter the Committee's jurisdiction or waive any

future jurisdictional claim over these provisions or their

subject matter. We also reserve the right to seek appointment

of an appropriate number of conferees in the event of a

conference with the Senate involving this measure or similar

legislation.

I ask that you please include this letter in your

committee's report to accompany this legislation or insert

this letter in the Congressional Record during consideration

of H.R. 7701 on the House floor. I appreciate the cooperative

manner in which our committees have worked on this matter,

and I look forward to working collaboratively in the future

on matters of shared jurisdiction. Thank you for your

attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Jim Jordan,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support H.R. 7701, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation. This is the long-awaited proverbial ``China week'' on the House floor, so let me explain briefly why this legislation pertains to the PRC.

In February 2022, as the world turned its attention to the winter Olympics in Beijing, Vladimir Putin visited China to meet with President Xi where the two publicly declared what they called

a ``no limits partnership'' between Russia and China.

Just weeks after that declaration, Putin unleashed his devastating invasion of Ukraine, aimed at toppling the democratically elected government in Kyiv.

Since that time, China has played a crucial role in keeping the Kremlin's war machine running. By purchasing Russian oil and gas in massive quantities, Beijing has funded the Kremlin coffers and the illegal invasion machine it operates. By exporting semiconductors, drones, telecommunications gear, and other strategic electronic equipment, the PRC companies have provided the technical know-how to backfill U.S. and European providers that have exited the Russian market.

Though the PRC has deepened its economic trade with Russia, including in dual-use items, it has thus far avoided directly arming Russia's criminal war effort.

Recent reports have emerged about Russian officials meeting with leaders of major Chinese state-owned construction firms to discuss building a tunnel from Russia to Crimea. Of course, Crimea is of enormous strategic importance. Ukrainian forces have rightfully targeted this bridge multiple times, demonstrating their resilience and their determination to disrupt Russia's illegal occupation. The construction of a tunnel linking Russia directly to Crimea would only further entrench Putin's control over the Crimean Peninsula and bolster his war efforts.

Mr. Speaker, we have a duty to use every tool at our disposal to support Ukraine's struggle for sovereignty and freedom. I will thank my colleague, Representative Wilson, for his partnership on this important bill. I also extend my gratitude to Chairman McCaul for his leadership in advancing this legislation, both at markup and now on the floor, and I thank all Members who have shown their support by cosponsoring this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.