Demands for a Russian oil ban, according to the White House, will be part of US sanctions on Russia would also have other unwanted effects.
Senator Joe Manchin said the importation of oil runs contrary to what the penalties want to achieve in stopping Vladimir Putin.
This added to the troubles of the Biden administration due to closing the Keystone XL pipeline, making it have to solve problems spawning from oil.
Imported Oil Ban Would Affect Americans, Not Putin
The White House press secretary Jen Psaki spoke to the press that stopping the importation of Russian oil is not possible now. If the ban is imposed now, there would be more problems as the fuel prices skyrocket more, reported The Epoch Times.
Both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and Congress are disappointed that the US still buys Russian crude and natural gas as the conflict rages. They argued it makes no difference to issue strong sanctions if Russia still earns billions.
Along with the UK and Europe, the US could not afford to stop getting energy from Russia.
Psaki remarked that sanctions are the objectives, but there should be no backlash on the American economy to impact the Russian leader. She told those demanding to take an extra step in stopping the Russian war machine should be ready to pay more at the pump.
Biden's energy policy has proven to be a double-edged sword that has cut the US, leaving the Russian economy less impacted.
Western Energy Dependence Fuels Russian War Machine
Before January 20, the US was on its own during Donald Trump's term, but now 10% of US energy needs are imported from Russia, with the European Union needing 40% of natural gas and oil.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), head of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, sponsored a bill to stop all importation of Russian oil and petroleum products, this as the ultimate sanction.
But the Biden administration fears this would be disastrous for the US, which could spark an energy crisis like the one experienced by the EU.
When Manchin introduced the bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) joined fellow party members in the Lower House to stop importing oil from Moscow, noted The Hill.
She earlier said in a presser that gas prices should stop rising but later pushed for the Russian oil ban and said it should stop now.
Several GOP members, Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas), said at the Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on March 2 that the president should stop getting oil from Russia, as paying for these imports will support the Kremlin and its coffers.
Sen. Manchin, with several Republicans, asked that its former energy independence be returned, open the Keystone XL and restore President Trump's energy policy which was repealed.
Oil prices had hit the roof on March 2 with $110 a barrel, the highest spike since 2014 when Crimea was invaded. Gas price now was about $3.72 a gallon last Thursday, cited Barrons.
