WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Thursday after the Treasury Department announced a $2 million penalty against ExxonMobil for violations of Ukraine-related sanctions due to its business pursuits with Russia:

“In 2014, U.S. sanctions were imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and illegal occupation of Crimea.  Congress played an important role in passing two sanctions bills in 2014 that contributed to a bipartisan consensus to counter Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.   I welcome today’s decision by the Treasury Department to fine Exxon for violation of this sanction regime and I am disappointed that an American company would so clearly act in divergence from U.S. national security interests. Our laws, values and commitment to allies are more important than any one company or industry’s bottom line.  Since 2014, Russia has only become more aggressive in the region and on the world stage, culminating in its attack on our election last year.  And we know they’re not done. Today’s news only underscores the urgency for new sanctions on Russia that increase pressure on the country and tighten loopholes in existing sanctions.  I call upon the House to act immediately on the bipartisan Russia sanctions legislation that passed the Senate last month 98-2.”