Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. By bringing up my resolution today, H. Res. 552, we are making clear to the Russian Government and President Putin that Congress will not tolerate the indefinite detention of a U.S. citizen without evidence. For nearly 10 months, my constituent, Paul Whelan of Novi, Michigan, has been held in a Moscow prison without adequate due process. Paul was detained last December and continues to be held in a horrifying prison. We have repeatedly asked the Russian Government to provide Paul with a fair and transparent judicial process, to no avail. The State Department has been unwavering in their work on Paul's behalf, especially Ambassador Huntsman. The Russian Government has not provided timely updates about Paul's case. They have not let him select his own attorney. And they have not provided unrestricted consular access. Next week will be Paul's fourth pretrial detention hearing. Enough is enough. After many months in prison, Paul's health is deteriorating. Paul's family is wondering. Everyone is in the dark, but most especially Paul. It is long past time that we bring Paul home to his family and get him the medical care he needs. This bipartisan resolution calls on the Russian Government to provide evidence of his wrongdoing or else release Paul immediately. This is our sense of Congress. It must be our sense of Congress, for we stand up for Americans abroad. I thank my friend, Mr.…”