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Today, the House Foreign Affairs advanced the Crimea Annexation Non-recognition Act. The bipartisan legislation offered by Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH), would prohibit federal agencies from taking any action that recognizes Russian sovereignty over Crimea.

"The United States must not acquiesce to Russia’s illegal and forcible annexation and occupation," Connolly said. "We must repeat time and again, for however long it takes, that we will never recognize Russia’s forcible and illegal annexation of Crimea. I sincerely hope this is the last time we need to introduce this bill. It is long past time that it become law."

"Putin's illegal annexation of Crimea cannot be swept under the rug," Chabot said. "The bipartisan Crimea Annexation Non-recognition Act prevents that from happening and underlines the need to hold the Kremlin accountable for its ongoing, unauthorized occupation of Crimea. My friend, and colleague, Congressman Connolly and I will continue to champion the need to call attention to Russia's clear violation of international norms and so I am pleased that our Foreign Affairs Committee colleagues have joined us to advance this important legislation today."

The Crimea Annexation Non-recognition Act previously passed the House in March 2019, by a vote of 427-1.The FY 2016-FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Acts included similar language to this bill, prohibiting Department of Defense funds from being used on any action that recognizes Russian sovereignty over Crimea. This legislation would apply that prohibition to the federal government writ-large.

Text of the Crimea annexation Non-recognition Act is available here.