Oklahoma’s US Representatives will undoubtedly be involved in a growing controversy whether to put sanctions on US technology used in the Russia supported pipeline to carry natural gas to Germany.
Sen. Ted Cruz submitted such a bill last week and House Republicans are reported to be working on a companion bill in the House.
“We are looking at that issue,” Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), ranking member of the House Foreign Relations Committee, told ME. “I think we’re going to have legislation on it as well. The pipeline is going to empower Russia. I’m against it.”
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline would deliver Russian gas to Germany, which U.S. lawmakers fear could give Russia too much sway over European politics — and would compete with U.S. liquefied natural gas exporters for European market share.
Opposition to the pipeline is becoming a bipartisan issue. The Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously approved a bill, H.R. 2023 (116) from Rep. Denny Heck(D-Wash.), that calls on Congress to “continue to oppose construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and other Russian Federation gas pipelines in northern Europe; and take affirmative diplomatic steps to halt the construction of such pipelines.”