H.R. 8955 — Introduced in House

I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8955 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 22, 2022Mr. Connolly (for himself and Mr. Chabot) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs A BILL To counter Russian influence and aggression in Ukraine. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ukrainian Territorial Integrity Act. 2. Countering Russian influence and aggression in Ukraine (a) Statement of policy It is the policy of the United States not to recognize the Russian Federation’s claim of sovereignty over, or independence, of any part of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces, including Crimea and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. (b) Prohibition (1) In general None of the funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available to any Federal department or agency may be used to provide assistance for the central government of a country that the Secretary of State determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees— (A) has recognized the independence of, or has established diplomatic relations with, any region located in the territory of Ukraine that is occupied by the Russian Federation or under the control of Russian-backed separatists, including Crimea and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions; or (B) has taken affirmative steps intended to support or be supportive of the Russian Federation annexation of Crimea or other territory in Ukraine. (2) Publication of list of central governments The Secretary of State shall publish on the Department of State website a list of such central governments in a timely manner. (3) Waiver The Secretary of State may waive the prohibition on assistance required by paragraph (1) with respect to any such central government if the Secretary determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that to do so is in the national interest of the United States, and includes a justification for such interest. (c) Duration The requirements and limitations of this section shall cease to be in effect if the Secretary of State determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Ukraine has reestablished sovereignty over each region located in the territory of Ukraine that is occupied by the Russian Federation or under the control of Russian-backed separatists, including Crimea and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. (d) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.