Somerset Times

The House Foreign Affairs Committee has passed the Rosatom Sanctions Enforcement Act, a bill proposed by Europe Subcommittee Chairman, Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07). The legislation aims to impose sanctions on Rosatom, the Russian state-owned nuclear energy corporation.

Chairman Kean explained the motivation behind the bill: “Rosatom helps the Kremlin blunt the impact of sanctions by providing revenue for Vladimir Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine. We must use every tool possible to cripple Putin’s war machine and end Western reliance on the Russian nuclear energy sector. As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, I will continue to work with my colleagues to starve Putin of the resources he needs to prosecute his war of aggression, including by tightening the noose around Rosatom. We cannot afford to allow Russia’s nuclear industry to continue to dominate the global nuclear energy market.”

The Rosatom Sanctions Enforcement Act seeks to restrict a significant source of income for Russia's war efforts by imposing sanctions on Rosatom and its subsidiaries. It is expected that these sanctions will discourage countries from becoming overly dependent on Russia's energy sector and thus curb Russia's ability to use Rosatom as a tool for spreading its malign influence. Furthermore, this bill could stimulate growth in America's nuclear energy industry and those of partner countries, creating jobs and filling supply gaps left by Russian actors.

Specifically, this bill would require:

- The President to submit a strategy for replacing Russian nuclear suppliers in U.S., allied, and partner supply chains.

- Imposition of sanctions on Rosatom, its affiliates and subsidiaries, foreign individuals involved in Rosatom’s construction of new reactors, and anyone who aids or abets sanctions violations by those individuals and entities.

- Authorization of secondary sanctions on any foreign person engaged in significant transactions with Rosatom.

- Provision of limited waiver authorities to ensure responsible removal of Rosatom from our nuclear energy, industrial, and medical supply chains.

- A report on the national security implications of our 123 agreement with Russia and other countries like the PRC.

Previously, Chairman Kean held a Europe Subcommittee Hearing where witnesses testified about the dangers posed by Rosatom, its impact on Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, and its influence on the global nuclear supply chain. Congressman Kean currently serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and is the Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee.