Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, along with Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (NY-5), has introduced the Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025. The legislation aims to convert ongoing negotiations into legislative action and is expected to move toward House Floor consideration in January.
The bill is co-led by Representatives Don Bacon (NE-2), Mike Turner (OH-10), Tom Suozzi (NY-3), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Steny Hoyer (MD-5), Bill Keating (MA-9), and Marcy Kaptur (OH-9). The sponsors say the measure demonstrates bipartisan consensus that Congress should take a leading role as diplomatic efforts continue.
“Negotiations do not relieve Congress of its responsibility to act,” said Fitzpatrick. “That responsibility has been clear for some time, and waiting is no longer an option. Peace through strength is the discipline of negotiating from strength—of standing with Ukraine, making unmistakably clear that Russia’s campaign of aggression will not be normalized or rewarded, and affirming that America still enforces the rules that keep peace possible. This is not just about ending one war. It is about setting the rules for a world that is watching whether America still enforces them. We can end this war. We can end Putin’s tyranny. And we must lead the American way—through peace, through strength. I am grateful to be working hand in hand with Ranking Member Meeks to push any and all solutions forward to the House Floor, including the Ukraine Support Act. We can end this war. We can end Putin’s tyranny. And we must lead the American way—through peace, through strength.”
Meeks stated: “Russia won’t negotiate an end to its war unless real pressure is applied on the Kremlin to stop its brutality. I’m proud to have worked with Rep. Fitzpatrick on a compromise Russia sanctions bill that would impose real costs on Russia and those fueling its war effort, while avoiding further harmful global tariffs. I thank Rep. Fitzpatrick for also signing my discharge petition for the Ukraine Support Act, helping work towards both measures reaching the House floor for a vote. There is strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the House, and this agreement makes clear that Russia cannot wait it out or continue its war of aggression without facing significant consequences.”
Ranking Member Keating added: “The only viable path to peace in Ukraine is putting pressure on the Kremlin. It is beyond important that both sides of the aisle have come together on compromise legislation to impose strong sanctions on Russia for its illegal war of aggression as well as to take additional steps to move the bipartisan discharge petition for the Ukraine Support Act forward in the House… The Ukrainian people must know that Ukraine has strong bipartisan support in the House of Representatives.”
Turner said: “We must take firm action against the Russian Federation. This bill sends a clear message: any refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations for peace or any violation of agreements will not go unpunished. We stand with Ukraine and affirm our commitment to ensuring that they are protected from further aggression.”
Bacon commented: “Putin’s regime only responds to resolve and takes advantage of weakness and vacillation… We must play hardball by sending Ukraine the weapons it needs and imposing tough sanctions on Russia that cripple his war economy, an approach Americans overwhelmingly agree with… I’m pleased to join Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in co-leading…to impose sanctions and other measures if Russia refuses to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine.”
Lawler remarked: “Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine is a direct assault on sovereignty, democracy, and the international rules-based order… Peace will only come when Russia understands that continued violence carries real costs…”
Suozzi stated: “Peace through strength means standing up to dictators through actions, not just words… The Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act does exactly that by cracking down on those responsible for kidnapping Ukrainian children, increasing sanction pressure on Russia, and expanding sanctions…”
Kaptur noted: “Through force, Dictator Putin aspires to rewrite… Europe… With this new bipartisan bill, we are putting forward…the most significant legislation introduced this Congress to place economic sanctions on Russia for its war crimes against Ukraine.”
The proposed legislation builds upon previous efforts led by Fitzpatrick since 2022 aimed at forcing negotiations between parties involved in conflict in Ukraine.
Key provisions include mandatory sanctions targeting senior Russian officials; severing Russian access from global financial systems; closing loopholes used by Russian entities; targeting foreign actors enabling Russian energy production; imposing penalties related to alleged war crimes; increasing import duties up to 500 percent; among others.
Sanctions could be lifted only if there is a signed peace agreement accepted by Ukraine along with full cessation of hostilities—subjected also under congressional review.
Fitzpatrick represents Pennsylvania’s 1st district in Congress since 2017 after succeeding Mike Fitzpatrick (https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/about). He was born in Philadelphia in 1973 and currently lives in Levittown.
He graduated from La Salle University with a Bachelor’s degree before earning his law degree at Pennsylvania State University (https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/F000466).
Supporters intend continued advocacy so that Congress aligns diplomatic initiatives with legislative action regarding U.S.-Russia policy.
