U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi urged President Joe Biden's administration to help identify businesses in New York that have business ties to Russia and discourage the investment in the country amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. 

A letter released Friday by Suozzi, a Democratic candidate for governor, comes as New York state officials are trying to leverage the state's economic power to limit investment in Russia. 

“Through persuasion and public pressure, we can lead a campaign to shut off all commerce with Russia," Suozzi wrote in a letter to the Biden administration. "Just as our efforts have been maximized by working together with our allies, the effectiveness of a public pressure campaign can be maximized through a coordinated effort with you and your departments."

New York officials, including Gov. Kathy Hochul and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, have sought to curtail investments in Russia by New York businesses as well as the state government. Hochul on Thursday signed an executive order to prohibit state agencies as well as state authorities from contracting with private entities that continue to business in Russia. 

Hochul previously moved to block state contracts with Russian-affiliated entities. DiNapoli has also announced plans to divest the state pension fund from Russian-backed interests and investments. 

Suozzi, who plans to challenge Hochul in a Democratic primary this June, in his letter to Biden cabinet officials, called for a "maximum pressure and sanctions" campaign in the U.S.

"The American people and those around the world stand with the Ukrainian people and our efforts to undermine Putin’s abilities to fund an illegitimate war," he said. "In addition to sanctions, military and humanitarian aid, another tool we have available, as elected and appointed leaders, is to lead morally and call on others to go above and beyond what the law requires to ensure democracy is safeguarded. We must enlist the business community, and its leaders, to put country and freedom before profit."