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.

Subjects: International Affairs


<html><body><pre>[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 274 Introduced in House (IH)]

&lt;DOC&gt;






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.
                                 &lt;all&gt;
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