US Defense Bill Deal Includes Tough Sanctions Against Russia’s Newest Gas Pipeline to Europe

A crane moves Nord Stream 2 pipes at the Mukran port near Sassnitz, Germany, on June 5, 2019. Axel Schmidt/Getty Images

WASHINGTON—Senate and House negotiators reached an agreement on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that includes among its hundreds of provisions a measure requiring sanctions against individuals and firms backing construction of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline.

“Including my legislation with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) in the NDAA highlights the bipartisan, bicameral consensus in Congress and throughout the government that the U.S. must stop Russia’s Nord Stream 2,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said in a statement.