No Aid for Russian Energy Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7094
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-26T08:06:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "No Aid for Russian Energy Act" (H.R. 7094) aims to restrict support for Russia's energy sector by prohibiting U.S. persons from providing petroleum-related equipment and services to Russia. It seeks to limit Russia's ability to explore and produce oil, oil condensates, and natural gas, likely in response to geopolitical tensions, while imposing sanctions on foreign entities that engage in such activities.
Key Provisions
- Prohibitions on U.S. Persons (Section 2):
- Bans the export, re-export, sale, or supply of "petroleum equipment and services" (e.g., drilling tools, software for exploration, engineering consulting, technology licensing) from the U.S. or by U.S. persons to anyone in Russia.
- Extends the ban to foreign subsidiaries owned or controlled by U.S. persons, treating their violations as if conducted by U.S. entities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA, a law allowing the President to regulate international economic transactions during emergencies).
- Exception: Does not apply to equipment/services for isotopes (like Carbon-13) used in medical, agricultural, or environmental applications derived from petroleum processes.
- Sanctions on Foreign Persons (Section 3):
- Targets foreign individuals or entities (non-U.S. persons) involved in exporting or supplying petroleum equipment/services to Russia.
- Sanctions include:
- Blocking all U.S.-based assets and prohibiting transactions involving those assets.
- Visa restrictions: Makes targeted individuals (or key officers/shareholders of targeted entities) inadmissible to the U.S., ineligible for visas, and subject to visa revocation, which cancels other entry documents immediately.
- Exceptions:
- Allows entry if needed to fulfill U.S. obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement or other international agreements.
- Exempts humanitarian activities, such as providing food, medicine, agricultural goods, or aid-related transport/financing.
- Implementation and Enforcement (Section 4):
- Authorizes the President to use IEEPA powers for enforcement, with civil and criminal penalties (fines up to $1 million or imprisonment up to 20 years) for violations.
- Allows the President to waive sanctions for up to 180 days if vital to U.S. national security, with advance notice to Congress.
- Requires regulations within 180 days, amending existing federal rules (31 CFR Part 587) for sanctions implementation.
- Definitions (Section 5):
- Petroleum equipment and services: Broadly covers tools, software, data access, consulting, training, and intellectual property related to oil/gas exploration and production.
- U.S. person: Includes citizens, permanent residents, U.S.-organized entities (including foreign branches), or anyone in the U.S.
- Foreign person: Any non-U.S. individual or entity.
- Appropriate congressional committees: House and Senate committees on Foreign Affairs/Relations and Judiciary, for oversight.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Builds on IEEPA by adding specific, targeted prohibitions and sanctions focused on Russia's petroleum sector, which were not previously detailed in that law.
- Expands liability to foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies, closing potential loopholes in prior sanctions regimes.
- Amends existing regulations (e.g., 31 CFR Part 587, related to Russian harmful foreign activities sanctions) to incorporate these new rules, making enforcement more comprehensive without requiring entirely new frameworks.
- Introduces tailored exceptions for humanitarian and specific scientific uses, refining broader IEEPA applications.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Departments of State, Treasury, and Homeland Security in enforcing prohibitions, issuing regulations, and processing waivers/visas; requires coordination with Congress for certifications.
- On Citizens and Businesses: U.S. energy firms and individuals face compliance risks, potential fines, or business losses from restricted dealings with Russia; may disrupt supply chains for global energy equipment.
- On International Relations: Could heighten U.S.-Russia tensions by targeting a key revenue source (energy exports), potentially affecting allies or neutral countries with Russian ties; may influence global oil/gas prices and encourage multilateral sanctions efforts.
- Broader economic effects might include reduced Russian production capacity, benefiting U.S. energy exports but risking retaliation or higher energy costs worldwide.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Persons and Companies: Energy sector firms (e.g., equipment manufacturers, software providers, consultants) and their foreign subsidiaries, who must halt Russia-related activities.
- Foreign Entities: Non-U.S. companies or individuals supplying petroleum goods/services to Russia, facing asset freezes and travel bans.
- Russian Energy Sector: State-owned or private oil/gas producers (e.g., Rosneft, Gazprom), potentially facing operational challenges and reduced technology access.
- U.S. Government: Executive branch agencies for enforcement; Congress for oversight and waiver reviews.
- Global Actors: International energy markets, humanitarian organizations (protected by exceptions), and countries trading with Russia.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on presidential authority under IEEPA (a post-WWII law for economic emergencies), which has been upheld in courts but criticized for broad executive power; enforcement penalties mirror existing sanctions laws, ensuring consistency.
- Constitutional: Involves separation of powers, as waivers require congressional notification, balancing executive flexibility with legislative oversight; visa provisions align with Immigration and Nationality Act but could face challenges if applied broadly.
- Political: Introduced by a bipartisan group, signaling cross-party support for pressuring Russia; may influence foreign policy debates on energy security and sanctions efficacy, with waivers providing diplomatic leeway but risking perceptions of inconsistency.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (14)
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-01-15: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- No Aid for Russian Energy Act — issued 2026-01-15 — PDF (10 pages)