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U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA) on April 7 joined more than 80 of his Republican colleagues to introduce legislation that would ban imports of wood products from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, regardless of whether such products are shipped through third countries.

The No Timber From Tyrants Act, H.R. 7437, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and 82 original cosponsors, also would direct the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior to harvest more timber from federal lands to compensate for the banned imports, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Garcia’s office.

“I’m proud to join Congressman Westerman in introducing the No Timber From Tyrants Act,” said Rep. Garcia. “It’s imperative that the U.S. does not provide funding to our adversaries. Instead, we should be supporting American industries like the timber industry.”

Putting American timber first would spur economic growth in the United States and prevent American dollars from fueling Russia’s acts of war against Ukraine, the congressman added.

“Our bill would also help prevent forest fires by allowing for increased forest management practices, such as harvesting timber from federal forests,” Rep. Garcia said. “I hope this commonsense bill receives wide, bipartisan support in Congress.”

H.R. 7437 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, and the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee.