U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Lead Republican Michael McCaul and four of his fellow party members requested that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken explain why the U.S. administration has not yet imposed sanctions on several companies engaged in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project.
In a letter released by the committee’s press service, the congressmen express their concern by the current U.S. administration’s reluctance to implement "plans for the mandatory Nord Stream 2 sanctions" required under the current legislation. In the letter, the Republicans also ask for clarity "on why numerous entities reportedly engaged in sanctionable activity related to the Russian malign Nord Stream 2 pipeline project have yet to be sanctioned."
"We are deeply concerned that the Administration’s strong statements in opposition to the pipeline are not being matched by equally strong actions," the lawmakers wrote.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said last week that the next report on the pipeline-related restrictions is to be submitted to the US Congress in May. The Republicans insist that the list of companies designated for sanctions be submitted prior to that date.
