Civic Register
| 3.5.22

Biden Admin Balks at Banning Russian Oil Imports Amid Putin's Invasion of Ukraine

Do you support or oppose the Biden admin not banning Russian energy imports?

What’s the story?

  • The U.S. has imposed a number of sanctions against Russia following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine, but one area of potentially damaging sanctions that it has avoided pursuing to date is banning imports of Russian oil and gas. The Biden administration has balked at such a move out of concern for the impact of rising energy prices on American consumers.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly asked for “all civilized countries to impose an embargo on Russian oil products” which he believes would be the most significant economic sanction that can be taken against Russia. Zelensky repeated his call for an oil embargo on Russia in a call with U.S. lawmakers Saturday morning. Ukrainian Parliament Member Alexey Goncharenko echoed that sentiment in an interview last week in which he said that an embargo is needed because “Russian oil and gas is full of Ukrainian blood.”
  • In his state of the union address on Tuesday, President Joe Biden made no mention of steps to block Russian energy imports and said only that he would release 30 million barrels of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, an amount that would only satisfy American consumption for roughly a day and a half.
  • White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a press briefing Friday, “We are looking at options we could take right now to cut U.S. consumption of Russian energy, but we are very focused on minimizing the impact of families.” She elaborated on the administration’s opposition to an embargo against Russian energy by saying:
“Our — there isn’t a strategic interest in reducing global oil supply because that will ri- — that will increase the price of barrels of oil and increase gas prices.  So, we are looking at ways to — and I said yesterday, I believe, that we are looking at ways to reduce the import of Russian oil while also making sure that we are maintaining the global supply needs out there. I don’t have anything to predict in terms of what that will look like.  And we, of course, remain engaged with — with our friends in Congress.”

Bipartisan Support Builds for Russian Energy Ban

  • Despite the Biden administration’s current opposition, there is a growing bipartisan push in Congress to ban energy imports from Russia. 
  • Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV) and committee member Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced a bill known as the Ban Russian Energy Imports Act on Thursday with 16 bipartisan cosponsors. 
  • Manchin explained, “The U.S. cannot continue to purchase more than half a million barrels of oil per day because in doing so, we are emboldening Putin to continue using his greatest weapon of war ― energy exports.” Murkowksi added:
“While the Biden administration has taken noteworthy steps to try to convince Vladimir Putin and his regime to stand down, we need an all-encompassing approach that uses every viable tool at our disposal. By leaving Russia’s energy exports untouched, the United States is ignoring one of our most potent options to stop the bloodshed. We must ban Russia’s energy imports into the U.S. so that Americans aren’t forced to help finance their growing atrocities and halt the Russian aggression.”
  • A companion bill is expected to be introduced in the House by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), who are the co-chairs of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. 
  • Although House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) broke ranks with the White House by saying she supports a ban on Russian energy imports, as of Saturday morning she hasn’t indicated she will bring the bipartisan bill to the floor by placing it on the calendar.
  • Axios reported Saturday that the Biden administration has undertaken a campaign to quietly pressure Democrats to not sign onto the bipartisan bill as cosponsors.

Status of U.S. Energy Imports From Russia

  • The U.S. imported an average of 670,000 barrels of oil and petroleum products per day from Russia in 2021 according to the Energy Information Agency ― an increase of 24% in 2021 compared to 2020. 
  • Preliminary EIA data for the week after Russia launched its invasion shows that U.S. imports of Russian oil fell to zero due to refineries’ fears of sanctions. 
  • However, there is no guarantee that trend will continue without the federal government taking action with an outright ban on Russian energy imports. 
  • Over the last year and a half there have been occasional weeks when Russian energy imports fell to zero during periods when there wasn’t such a broad push for an embargo on Russian petroleum products.


— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / MicroStockHub)

  • 89
    Paula
    03/12/2022

    After I weighed in on this topic, I saw that only 16% support the Biden administration's stance on Russian oil imports! Even a cursory attempt to research the logic behind Biden's strategy will reveal its wisdom. Keeping America safe is Biden's duty, and he's doing a masterful job of it!

  • 142
    Bruno
    03/12/2022

    Biden wouldn’t know what day if the week it is or who’s at war with whom!! Most inept, incompetent, and corruptly “elected” president ever!! Go Brandon!!

  • 3,697
    Kevin
    03/11/2022

    Ban ALL fossil fuels as soon as it is realistically possible, and make that transition your primary focus to make it possible right now!!

  • 2,934
    Gdbondii
    03/10/2022

    OBE as he did

  • 22
    Barbara
    03/09/2022

    Representatives need to insist Biden open our pipelines back up and make us energy independent again.

  • 22
    Jesse
    03/09/2022

    We must start up the keystone pipeline. It will be a start to getting back to where we were a year ago

  • 22
    Deana
    03/08/2022

    Biden continuing to buy oil from Russia is ridiculously in effect fighting against America’s own efforts to aid Ukraine and ally’s battle Russia. That’s right. It makes zero sense at all! The best option for the American people would be to reopen the oil pipelines Biden closed, tap the boundless resources here in our own nation, and make the USA energy independent once again. It’s ignorant and bad management of money and resources to purchase a product from other countries when we have energy sources in the United States. Why not help our economy, sell to other nations, and know our products are sourced as environmentally sound?

  • 741
    John
    03/08/2022

    Hooray for Biden for implementing A ban on Russian oil. F Putin. Enjoy the 1700s Mr. Putin I hope your population takes it out on your hide you psychopathic murderer.

  • 48.0k
    Brian
    03/08/2022

    Looks like the import ban is going to happen. I don't want to hear anyone complain about how Biden did this on his own; he was pushed politically from both sides. If you don't like it, call your representatives.

  • 25
    Kate
    03/08/2022

    The Russians supply about 6% of our oil, right? Strengthen the sanctions, help Ukraine, don't buy Russian oil. Also, it's a great opportunity for the US to learn to do with less petroleum. Why don't we cut back on plastics production by 6% while we're at it.

  • 21
    Sara
    03/07/2022

    I support banning Russian oil imports.

  • 53
    appsucksimOUT
    03/08/2022

    Ban it already and stop talking about it . While you’re at it pass a bill that stops these gas moguls from hiking the prices for consumers. There is absolutely no reason for a company to have a 98% profit margin! Use your brains . This is common sense ! And also holds true with inflation in other segments . STOP allowing multi billion $ companies from robbing the working people to line their own pockets . ITS COMMON SENSE ! Obviously these people have zero humanity look at how they hiked prices in the middle of a pandemic capitalizing on humans suffering . STOP asking them politely and FORCE them to do the right thing

  • 57
    Mary Ann
    03/08/2022

    If Russia is not stopped, all of Europe is next. Putin is hell bent on destroying democratic Europe and the United States

  • 882
    Guy
    03/08/2022

    We have more oil and natural gas than Russia. Our natural gas is much cleaner. Send a message to Russia and stop buying oil from Russia. Let’s be energy independent!

  • 21
    Droogg369
    03/07/2022

    Fuck war, let's make love and some money with https://vavadacasino-kz.com/ cuz it's the best gambling platform in the world

  • 1,017
    Harry
    03/08/2022

    The Biden Administration is going to take heat for its prior failed energy decisions, so they need to hear from the American people very clearly about the path they are on. At some point politicians need to do what the people want and face the music come elections for failed stretegy. The people/voters will equate the increased energy costs at the pump as a result of Democrat priorities. If the Administration cannot find a way to relax their year old policy and new regulations which limit oil, gas development then a new Congress may speak more loudly than the current one

  • 663
    Carolyn
    03/08/2022

    All of Biden’s tough talk during his state of the union was really nothing more than empty hollow words if we keep funding Russia’s war effort.

  • 3,527
    Surender
    03/08/2022

    Russia Threatens to Cut Natural Gas Flows to Europe Via Nord Stream 1 Call their bluff! Who are they going to sell it to? China? How are they going to transport it? And the chinese will happily take it for nothing with deferred payments.

  • 3,527
    Surender
    03/07/2022

    An 8% reduction in oil supply does not drive the price from $70 (which was overstated to begin with) to $300 plus per barrel!? Congress do your job or resign Hang those oil tycoons and ceos for such traitorous actions This is absolute nonsense We have been watching the whimsical price gouging by corporations beyond sensible & logical levels using all forms of excuses Shipping lines have made more billions last year than the last 10 years combined There will be a day of reckoning You may not have many clients after all of this is over Greed has no limits

  • 280
    Gregory
    03/08/2022

    It’s time to shut off the tap of oil from Pukin Russia!