House Supplemental Bill Might Propose Seizing Russian Assets

The House is drafting a national security supplemental appropriations bill that could include a provision to seize frozen Russian assets in the U.S. and transfer the money to Ukraine, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said March 31.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a similar proposal in November and January, respectively (see 2401240069).

Johnson told Fox News the supplemental bill also could include a measure to promote natural gas exports. Although he didn't elaborate, congressional Republicans have criticized the Biden administration’s temporary pause on pending decisions for liquefied natural gas exports (see 2403190053).

The House plans to take up the supplemental measure when it returns to Washington April 9 after a two-week recess, Johnson said.

The Senate in February passed its own version of the legislation, which would provide funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, as well as use sanctions and anti-money laundering measures to counter the illicit fentanyl supply chain (see 2402130067).