Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Clarification Act of 2020
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (4 Jun 2020): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
What this bill does
S. 3897, the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Clarification Act of 2020, would amend the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act of 2019, which authorizes sanctions related to the Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipeline projects. The bill would broaden the activities that can trigger sanctions to include "pipe-laying activities" more generally (such as site preparation, trenching, surveying, and welding) and would add new categories of sanctionable conduct, including facilitating the sale, lease, or provision of vessels used in pipe-laying; providing underwriting, insurance, or reinsurance for such vessels; supplying services or equipment for technology upgrades, retrofitting, or tethering of those vessels; and providing testing, inspection, or certification services associated with operating the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The amendments would apply retroactively to the date the 2019 Act was enacted, and the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, would be required to submit a report to Congress within 60 days of enactment covering sanctions-related activity since the 2019 law took effect.
The bill primarily affects entities and individuals involved in constructing, financing, insuring, or servicing the Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipelines, expanding the range of companies—such as insurers, technology providers, and certification firms—that could face U.S. sanctions for supporting these projects. It also affects U.S. government agencies responsible for administering and reporting on sanctions.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on June 4, 2020, by Senator Ted Cruz with several cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 116th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Protecting Europe's Energy Security Clarification Act of 2020
This bill expands existing sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that engage in certain activities relating to the construction of the Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream energy pipelines.
Current law generally imposes visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that knowingly took actions such as selling or leasing vessels that engaged in pipe laying related to the pipelines. Under this bill, the President shall also impose sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that engage in other specified activities, such as (1) providing underwriting services or insurance for such vessels, (2) installing welding equipment for such vessels, or (3) providing testing or inspection services for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Timeline
4 Jun 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Common questions
- What does S. 3897 do?
- S. 3897, the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Clarification Act of 2020, would amend the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act of 2019, which authorizes sanctions related to the Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipeline projects. The bill would broaden the activities that can trigger sanctions to include "pipe-laying activities" more generally (such as site preparation, trenching, surveying, and welding) and would add new categories of sanctionable conduct, including facilitating the sale, lease, or provision of vessels used in pipe-laying; providing underwriting, insurance, or reinsurance for such vessels; supplying services or equipment for technology upgrades, retrofitting, or tethering of those vessels; and providing testing, inspection, or certification services associated with operating the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The amendments would apply retroactively to the date the 2019 Act was enacted, and the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, would be required to submit a report to Congress within 60 days of enactment covering sanctions-related activity since the 2019 law took effect. The bill primarily affects entities and individuals involved in constructing, financing, insuring, or servicing the Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipelines, expanding the range of companies—such as insurers, technology providers, and certification firms—that could face U.S. sanctions for supporting these projects. It also affects U.S. government agencies responsible for administering and reporting on sanctions. The bill was introduced in the Senate on June 4, 2020, by Senator Ted Cruz with several cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 116th Congress.
- Has S. 3897 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 3897. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 3897?
- S. 3897 was sponsored by Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (R-TX), with 4 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 3897?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (4 Jun 2020).
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