As a Congressman, I will be an advocate for strong posture with Russia, and every other major oil producing nation across the globe.
I will be an advocate for strong posture with Russia and every other major oil-producing nation across the globe.
Occurrences
I fully support the import ban on Russian energy products.
Evidence
"As a Congressman, I will be an advocate for strong posture with Russia, and every other major oil producing nation across the globe. American oil and gas interests must win… in every negotiation, every time. Period."
The House passed H.R. 6968, the Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act. The roll call shows 414 yeas and 17 nays.
Higgins said he "fully support[s] the import ban on Russian energy products" but voted against H.R. 6968 because "the House bill is far too weak" and "allows Russian oil and gas imports to continue for another 45 days."
The House vote was on agreeing to H. Res. 149, "Condemning the illegal abduction of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation." The measure passed 390 to 9.
The official newsroom page shows no matches for "Russia", "Ukraine", or "oil". Its most recent listed releases are May 12, 2026, May 13, 2026, and May 14, 2026, with no June 16-18 Russia- or oil-specific update visible.
The issue page says Louisiana's fossil fuels industry remains a major contributor to the state and national economy and calls for policies that bolster America's energy security.
Campaign page: Higgins wrote that Russia should be brought into line, Russian oil/gas activism can be devised to injure America, and that as a Congressman he would advocate a strong posture with Russia and every major oil-producing nation.
The House roll call was on the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. It passed 419-3, and the vote list records Higgins (LA), Republican, Louisiana, as Yea.
Congress.gov identifies H.R.3364 as the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, records that it passed the House 419-3, passed the Senate 98-2, and became Public Law No. 115-44 on August 2, 2017.
The House vote was on passage of H.R. 6968, the Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act. The bill passed 414-17, but Higgins (LA), Republican, Louisiana, is recorded as Nay.
The enacted text states that the law prohibits importation of energy products of the Russian Federation and bans Russian Federation products classified under chapter 27 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule from importation into the United States.
The House vote was on passage of H.R. 7691, the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022. The bill passed 368-57, and Higgins (LA), Republican, Louisiana, is recorded as Nay.
The House vote was on H. Res. 149, condemning the illegal abduction of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. The resolution passed 390-9, and Higgins (LA), Republican, Louisiana, is recorded as Nay.
The resolution text says the House holds the Government of the Russian Federation, under Vladimir Putin, responsible for wrongful and illegal abduction and forcible transfer of children from Ukraine and condemns those actions in the strongest terms.
Congress.gov lists Higgins as sponsor of H.R.10218. The bill would prohibit transferring Army Tactical Missile Systems to Ukraine and bar U.S. support for Ukrainian units using ATACMS to strike outside internationally recognized Ukrainian borders during conflict with Russia.
Higgins's official issue page says Louisiana fossil fuels remain a major contributor to the state and national economy and calls for policies that encourage growth, create jobs, and bolster America's energy security.
Assessments
Higgins took some concrete same-term actions consistent with the pledge, including voting for the 2017 Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act and publicly saying the Russian energy import ban should be stronger. He also maintained a pro-domestic-energy posture. However, the record is mixed: he voted against the enacted Russian energy import ban, opposed major Ukraine aid, voted against a resolution condemning Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children, and later sponsored legislation limiting ATACMS transfers to Ukraine. Because he showed some advocacy but did not consistently maintain or deliver the promised strong posture toward Russia and major oil-producing nations, partial credit is more appropriate than full delivery.
Higgins did take concrete same-term actions aligned with a tougher posture toward Russia, including backing and publicly defending a stronger Russian oil import ban in 2022. But the record is mixed, including a 2024 vote against a House resolution condemning Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children, so this reads as partial advocacy rather than a clearly fulfilled, consistent promise.
The promise was broad and low-specificity: to advocate for a strong posture toward Russia and other major oil-producing nations, especially in defense of American oil and gas interests. Higgins did take aligned action in the same term by publicly supporting a Russian energy import ban and arguing the House bill should be stronger, which is a concrete advocacy effort. However, the record provided does not show a fully consistent or comprehensive strong posture, and his 2024 vote against condemning Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children cuts against the Russia portion of the pledge. Because there was meaningful aligned advocacy but not enough evidence of full delivery across the broad promise, the best outcome is partial.