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Congress·In Progress·H.R. 8219

BLOCK PUTIN Act

Hungary: Sanctions for Russian Energy and Ukraine Aid Obstruction

To encourage Hungary to end its reliance on Russian energy and prevent Hungary's efforts to obstruct financial or security assistance to Ukraine, and for other purposes.

This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has been sent to two House committees for review. It is not yet scheduled for a vote and is considered to be in the initial phase of consideration.

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Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law
Unlikely to pass

Sanctioning a NATO ally is a very serious step that usually requires a high level of support from the White House and top leaders in Congress.

Key Points

  • The BLOCK PUTIN Act targets senior Hungarian officials who block or delay financial and military aid to Ukraine. This includes aid sent through the European Union or NATO.
  • It also applies to officials who approve or help with the import of oil and natural gas from Russia. While most of Europe has cut back, Hungary has increased its Russian energy use by 30 percent.
  • Officials hit by these sanctions would have their U.S. property and bank accounts frozen. They would also be banned from entering the United States or getting a travel visa.
  • The sanctions can be avoided if Hungary creates a formal plan to stop using Russian energy by 2028 and stops blocking Ukraine aid for at least 180 days.
  • The bill also asks the U.S. government to explain why it previously gave Hungary special permission to keep buying Russian oil and gas while other countries were told to stop.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.

Milestones

2 milestones3 actions
Apr 20, 2026

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2984)

Apr 9, 2026House

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Apr 9, 2026

Introduced in House

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Votes

No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.

News

No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

To encourage Hungary to end its reliance on Russian energy and prevent Hungary's efforts to obstruct financial or security assistance to Ukraine, and for other purposes.

Bill NumberHR 8219
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionSponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2984)

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.