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The gas receiving station of the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline in Lubmin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (archive image)
Photo: Stefan Sauer / dpa
A bill by Republican Senator Ted Cruz on sanctions against the controversial Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline has failed in Congress.
The bill did not receive the necessary votes for the further legislative process in the Senate on Thursday.
The vote resulted in 53 yes and 41 no votes, while passing the law requires 60 votes.
The draft provided for the imposition of punitive measures against Nord Stream 2 AG within 15 days. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat who originally co-sponsored the Nord Stream 2 sanctions legislation with Cruz, opposed his bill, saying it risked breaking the consensus in Washington and Europe on Russian aggression to break Ukraine. In a speech ahead of the vote, she said Cruz's law would drive a wedge between the United States and its allies in Europe, particularly Germany.
On Wednesday, Democratic Senator Robert Menendez presented an alternative proposal, which also enjoys the support of his party colleague President Joe Biden.
Comprehensive sanctions are planned against Russian government officials, military officials and banks should Russia commit an act hostile to Ukraine.
This draft has not yet been voted on.
The United States, as well as some European countries including Ukraine and Poland, oppose the pipeline, which would strip Kiev of transit fees and increase Moscow's influence in Europe.
The $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline, operated by state-owned energy company Gazprom, is set to carry Russian gas through the Baltic Sea via Germany to Europe.
It was completed late last year but has yet to be approved by Germany and the EU, which may not happen until mid-year.
tfb/Reuters
