Pennsylvania Sen. David Argall(R-Berks/Schuylkill) proposed new legislation Wednesday that would prevent companies doing business with Russia or Belarus from receiving state contracts, grants, or tax credits.
The bill would prohibit companies from receiving funds from Pennsylvania’s state government if they have any business operations with the governments of Russia or Belarus, have any direct equity share with those governments, or are headquartered in or have a principal place of business in either company. The legislation would also prohibit companies that support Russia’s campaign to invade Ukraine from receiving state money or contracts.
“The citizens of Ukraine are suffering often untold horrors because of the unprovoked invasion of their country by Russia and Belarus,” said Argall. “As the state Senator who represents some of the most concentrated communities of Americans with Ukrainian ancestry in the United States, it is my responsibility to stop our state government from supporting anyone conducting business with these war criminals.”
Argall cited reports from Ukraine that Russia has performed atrocities in that country, including the bombing of hospitals, schools, and residential buildings.
On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. government had made a formal determination that Russian troops have committed war crimes in Ukraine and would work with other countries to prosecute the offenders.
“Today, I can announce that, based on information currently available, the U.S. government assesses that members of Russia’s forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine,” Blinken said in a statement released as he was traveling to Brussels with President Joe Biden for an emergency summit of NATO leaders.
After an emergency meeting with leaders from the G7, the European Council, and NATO, President Joe Biden said America and other countries would increase sanctions against Russia.