Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 272, calling on the Government of the Russian Federation to immediately release United States citizen Paul Whelan. I thank Representative Haley Stevens for her continued work and tireless advocacy for her constituent, Paul Whelan, and other Americans wrongfully detained overseas. As I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to speak on this measure, I regret just how familiar it feels. For the third time, we are considering this resolution on the floor of the House of Representatives calling for Paul's release and expressing solidarity with him and other Americans wrongfully detained abroad. Russian authorities wrongfully detained Paul Whelan, an American marine veteran, more than 1,600 days ago on baseless charges for which no evidence was ever provided and subjected him to a sham, secretive trial. For more than 4 years, Mr. Speaker, Paul has endured persecution, denials of his lawful rights, and the withholding of critical medical treatment while the Kremlin seeks to use him as a pawn for political gain. For more than 4 years, Mr. Speaker, Paul's family has had to suffer this injustice, demanding his release, and pleading with us, the United States Government, to do everything in our power to bring him home. Like Evan Gershkovich whose resolution we are also considering on the floor today, Paul's only crime is being an American.…”