The House of Representatives called upon Russia on June 12 to immediately release two American prisoners who have been accused of espionage.
In a rare moment of bipartisanship, the House passed two resolutions—H. Res. 272 and H. Res. 377—condemning Russia’s “arbitrary and baseless” detention of former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and journalist Evan Gershkovich and calling for their release.
“Today we send a strong message to [Russian President] Vladimir Putin that America—Republicans and Democrats alike—will not tolerate his corrupt regime holding U.S. citizens hostage under false pretenses,” Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said on the House floor prior to the votes….