PA Seeks To Divest From Russia Amid Invasion Of Ukraine

PENNSYLVANIA — Legislation will soon been introduced in the state legislature in Pennsylvania to punish Russia as their invasion in Ukraine enters its second week. It's the latest move made at the local level in response to the war in Eastern Europe, which analysts say is already the largest since World War II.

The forthcoming bill, which already has bipartisan support, will divest Pennsylvania of any Russian financial assets.

“Clearly the people of Pennsylvania stand with the people of Ukraine and against this unprovoked Russian aggression," Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff said Monday.

Specifically, Benninghoff's legislation would expand the state's Act 44, enacted in 2010, which divests the State Treasury and pension funds from investments in Iran and Sudan.

Democratic State Sen. Sharif Street introduced similar legislation in the senate, as he held a rally in support of Ukraine in Philadelphia.

“We cannot, must not and should not ignore the atrocity of Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine," he said. "If the nations of freedom across the world allow Vladimir Putin to get away with the persecution and murder of the people of the Ukraine, he will only be emboldened to attack others. We must send a message, not only with economic sanctions at the federal level but at every level of government.”

While the war rages on the other side of the world, ripple effects continue to be felt in Pennsylvania. Ukranians with ties to the Philadelphia area are doing what they can to support their families from afar. A Lehigh University graduate is remaining on the front lines to act as a translator for journalists, sending dispatches back to local news networks in the meanwhile. And over the weekend, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board responded to the invasion by pulling vodka made in Russia from its shelves. The Pennsylvania Capitol was lit with the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag on Tuesday. Benninghoff says there's more than can be done.

"But I think it is time we start moving beyond symbolism and get to concrete action with what Pennsylvania can do to hold Russia accountable and apply pressure to stop this attack on the innocent people of Ukraine as well as the viability of Eastern Europe," he added.

The full co-sponsorship memorandum is available online.