February 03, 2017

Castro Statement on Easing of Sanctions against Russia

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. Treasury Department eased sanctions on the Russian intelligence service FSB: 

“The Trump Administration is going to extreme lengths to put Russian interests above the United States’. This is bad national security policy.

“It is unfathomable that our government would ease sanctions, not tighten them, after our intelligence community concluded that Russia interfered in our most recent election. Furthermore, both the House and Senate Intelligence Committees are currently reviewing the totality of Russia’s role in our electoral process. Changing policy mid-inquiry is reckless and irresponsible. Allowing U.S. companies to do business with the Russian intelligence service (FSB) rewards Russia for its nefarious behavior and emboldens Putin to act out in the future. Just this week, Russian-backed rebels have renewed their fighting in Ukraine.  

“I will work with any member of Congress to swiftly reinstate and strengthen these sanctions.”

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