Moulton Statement on Russia Sanctions Bill Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) released the following statement regarding his decision to vote Yes on the Lindsay O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act.

"I voted Yes on yesterday's Russia sanctions bill because Ukraine deserves every chance that we can give them to win this war.

"For almost two years, Congress has failed to move meaningful legislation to support Ukraine. The Trump administration has undermined Ukraine's battlefield position by periodically suspending intelligence sharing and stopping weapons transfers, and has undermined their economic position by letting the sanctions on Russia lapse.

"Yesterday's bill was Congress's chance to change that, to ensure we are doing all we can to end this war and protect Ukraine and its independence. It is not the bill Democrats would have written, but I was not willing to let the chance to help Ukraine pass us by.

"It's telling who supports this bill. President Zelensky supports it, while Vladimir Putin is opposed. All our European allies support it, as do the vast majority of U.S. defense and intelligence officials stationed in Europe, as reported by a trusted colleague on the House Armed Services Committee who traveled there just days before this vote. The legislation is not perfect, but we can't lose the forest for the trees. I'm proud to stand with Ukraine and our allies, and not with Putin.

"I recognize the specific concern that President Trump could abuse his tariff authorities, but that risk is present with or without this bill. The legislation is limited and unambiguous in its intent to maximize economic pressure on Russia, and only targets the worst violators of U.S. sanctions. Any attempt to abuse this authority for different purposes would be a clear violation of the law. When this administration has overreached on tariffs before, the courts have stepped in to check that power, and I expect they'll do the same here if needed.

"There is no guarantee that the President uses the tools this legislation offers him, but I'd rather leave the door open for those tools to be used against Russia than close it entirely and guarantee they never are.

"If Congress does not try to do the right thing, we cede the field entirely to a President who has shown little interest in supporting Ukraine in this war. We owe it to Ukraine, the world, and our democracy to try, and to hold the President accountable if he decides to violate the law again."

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