Pascrell Supports Continued G7 Exclusion of Russia

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today voted in favor of H.Res. 546, a House resolution that expresses Congress’s support of Ukraine and demands the Russian Federation remain outside the G7 until it ends its illegal occupation of Crimea and its broader attacks on democracy. Pascrell is an original cosponsor of the legislation which cleared the House 339-71.

“Under Vladimir Putin, the Russian government has become the world’s foremost enemy of free democracy,” said Rep. Pascrell, one of Congress’s strongest supporters of Ukraine. “Donald Trump may toady up to Putin, but until Putin’s government leaves Crimea, respects the territorial boundaries of its neighbors, stops murdering journalists and imprisoning dissidents, and ceases attacking democracy in America and across the world, Russia shouldn’t be allowed within 100 miles of getting back into the G7. I commend Congressman Sires for introducing and passing this resolution today.”

Rep. Pascrell has long been a vocal opponent of Vladimir Putin’s violations of peace and stability in Ukraine. After Russian troops first violated Ukraine’s sovereignty in March 2014, Pascrell called for Russia’s removal as a member of the G-8 and demanded immediate withdrawal of all Russian forces. He has also taken several steps to ensure U.S. support for our Ukrainian allies in the face of Russian aggression led by Putin. Pascrell has maintained a close relationship with the large Ukrainian-American communities in northern New Jersey, and recently attended an annual Ukrainian flag-raising ceremony in Clifton.

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