Should the U.S. Refuse To Recognize Russian Sovereignty Over Crimea? (H.R. 463)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is H.R. 463?
(Updated March 3, 2022)
This bill would prohibit the U.S. government from recognizing the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea, a territory Russia annexed from Ukraine in March 2014. It would prohibit federal departments and agencies from taking any action that recognizes or implies the recognition of this annexation.
The bill would authorize the President to waive these prohibitions in the event that it is necessary to do so to protect U.S. national security interests.
Argument in favor
Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea sets a dangerous precedent for the potential annexation of other neighboring nations, such as Moldova, Georgia, and the Baltic Republics.
Argument opposed
Crimean citizens reportedly voted in favor of joining the Russia Federation. The U.S. shouldn’t condemn an action that was supported by the people who were directly affected.
Impact
Federal U.S. departments and agencies, Ukrainian citizens, people who live in the Crimean region, the Russian government, Congress, and U.S./Russia diplomatic relations.
Cost of H.R. 463
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.
Additional Info
In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) introduced this bill to prohibit federal agencies from taking actions that recognize Russian sovereignty over Crimea:
"The United States must lead the way in refusing to recognize or legitimate the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. Congress must be a loud and declarative voice for sovereignty. Failure to stand up against Putin's illegal annexation of Crimea will set a dangerous and irrevocable precedent. Acquiescence on the part of the U.S. threatens the security of all sovereign nations."
Identical legislation passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee in both the 113th and 114th Congress, but it didn't receive a vote on the House floor.
Of Note: Small protests began in Ukraine in November 2013 following then-President Viktor Yanukovich’s decision to abandon an agreement for closer trade relations with the European Union (EU). He instead sought closer economic cooperation with Russia. The Ukrainian government responded to public unrest by passing an anti-protest law, which escalated the protests. Activist leaders, the political opposition, and Yanukovich eventually reach an agreement to hold early elections in order to form a new government.
Unhappy with the new administration in Ukraine, pro-Russian protesters rallied in the eastern Ukrainian region of Crimea. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin then deployed hundreds of Russian troops to Crimea in order to maintain order in the region, claiming that Russia reserves the right to protect the ethnic Russians in Crimea.
On March 6, 2014, Crimea’s parliament voted in favor of succeeding from Ukraine and joining Russia. A public referendum was conducted, wherein over 93 percent of Crimean citizens reportedly voted in favor of union with Russia. The U.S. and other Western nations subsequently deemed the referendum illegal. Ignoring international condemnation, Vladimir Putin continued with the signing of the treaty to absorb Crimea into Russia on March 18, 2014. The United States and the European Union responded with heavy economic sanctions on Russia.
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