Barletta moves to block Russian energy

While U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-11, Hazleton, was successfully amending the Defense Appropriations bill to prevent U.S. military installations - regardless of their locations - from purchasing energy from Russia, thereby aiding Pennsylvania coal producers and employees, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, Moosic, was introducing legislation that would prohibit the practice of self-bonding of coal companies nationwide. Mr. Barletta debated on the House floor that Russian President Vladimir Putin has a history of using his energy reserves to gain political influence over other nations, and that the U.S. armed forces should not be subjected to similar pressure.