WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the Biden-Harris administration announced new sanctions on entities and individuals involved in carrying out the Russian Government’s actions to undermine U.S. sovereignty and interests, including attempts to interfere in the 2020 U.S. presidential election and the SolarWinds cyberattack.
“Under the previous administration, Russia acted with near impunity, but the sanctions announced today prove that Russia’s malign activity will not be tolerated under the Biden-Harris administration. These sanctions are the consequence of Russia’s efforts to subvert democracy and interfere in elections, both in the United States and around the world, their role in the SolarWinds hack, and their ongoing illegal occupation of Crimea.
“I applaud the Biden-Harris administration for their forceful response to Putin’s destabilizing actions. The administration’s definitive actions come at a pivotal time, as Russian forces are once again amassing near the Ukraine border.
“U.S. sanctions alone will not deter Russian aggression entirely. As I have said time and again, we must continue to work with our partners and allies, particularly in Europe, to take action to deter Russian military aggression.”
“Under the previous administration, Russia acted with near impunity, but the sanctions announced today prove that Russia’s malign activity will not be tolerated under the Biden-Harris administration. These sanctions are the consequence of Russia’s efforts to subvert democracy and interfere in elections, both in the United States and around the world, their role in the SolarWinds hack, and their ongoing illegal occupation of Crimea.
“I applaud the Biden-Harris administration for their forceful response to Putin’s destabilizing actions. The administration’s definitive actions come at a pivotal time, as Russian forces are once again amassing near the Ukraine border.
“U.S. sanctions alone will not deter Russian aggression entirely. As I have said time and again, we must continue to work with our partners and allies, particularly in Europe, to take action to deter Russian military aggression.”
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