[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 112 (Monday, June 28, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H3178-H3179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CALLING FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF TREVOR REED

  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 186) calling for the immediate release of Trevor 
Reed, a United States citizen who was unjustly found guilty and 
sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 186

       Whereas United States citizen Trevor Reed is a resident of 
     Granbury, Texas, and a United States Marine Corps veteran;
       Whereas Trevor Reed traveled to Moscow to visit his 
     girlfriend in May 2019;
       Whereas Moscow's Police Service detained Trevor Reed in 
     August 2019;
       Whereas Trevor Reed was accused of grabbing the arm of the 
     police officer driving the vehicle and elbowing another 
     officer while en route to the police station, causing the 
     vehicle to swerve and therefore endangering the lives of the 
     police officers;
       Whereas the United States Embassy in Moscow has filed 
     numerous diplomatic notes with the Russian Foreign Ministry 
     regarding Trevor Reed being denied consular access, 
     communications, medical treatment, family visitations, and 
     other violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular 
     Relations;
       Whereas Trevor Reed was not given food or water until 
     approximately 72 hours after his initial arrest;
       Whereas Trevor Reed was not given a medical evaluation of 
     his injuries until 10 days following his arrest;
       Whereas Trevor Reed's defense team presented video evidence 
     to the courts that disproves the police officers' statements 
     of supposed endangerment and wrongdoing;
       Whereas Trevor Reed's defense team was denied access to 
     additional video evidence from inside the police vehicle and 
     police station that had the potential to prove his innocence, 
     the requests for all video recordings are documented, and the 
     existence of the other videos was confirmed by police 
     officials and investigators;
       Whereas the police officers claimed emotional and physical 
     damages, but did not sustain any visible injury, or claim any 
     time missed from work, and the law considers the police 
     officers victims;
       Whereas the Constitutional Supreme Court of the Russian 
     Federation and the Second Court of Cassation of General 
     Jurisdiction concurred that Russian procedural law was 
     violated in the way that Trevor Reed's bail was revoked;
       Whereas the United States Embassy in Moscow has filed 
     complaints with the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding denial 
     of communications with Trevor Reed;
       Whereas during the trial, the defense counsel presented 59 
     minutes of traffic camera video from four traffic cameras, 
     and senior Russian Government officials analyzed the video 
     recordings and confirmed that the videos showed the police 
     car--
       (1) did not change direction or leave its lane;
       (2) did not swerve; and
       (3) did not stop or slow down;
       Whereas witnesses following directly behind the police car 
     in a private vehicle never witnessed any dangerous movement 
     of the police car;
       Whereas the two police officers changed their testimonies 
     in writing, in their interviews, and at least three times 
     during defense questioning, with final answers to the judge 
     being ``I don't remember.'', causing court attendees and the 
     judge to laugh;
       Whereas the Investigative Bureau and Golovinsky District 
     Court Judge Arnout denied Trevor Reed's requests to 
     investigate how his injuries occurred;
       Whereas, on July 30, 2020, Golovinsky District Court Judge 
     Arnout read a verdict that dismissed all defense evidence, 
     witnesses, and government experts and only considered pieces 
     of the police officers' statements;
       Whereas the judge sentenced Trevor Reed to 9 years in 
     prison camp and was ordered to pay 100,000 rubles to each 
     police officer for moral and physical injuries;
       Whereas Trevor Reed had already been detained in Russia for 
     one year at the time of the judge's verdict;
       Whereas a Consul representing the United States Embassy in 
     Moscow attended all of Trevor Reed's trial hearings;
       Whereas the United States Ambassador to Russia, John 
     Sullivan, upon Trevor's sentencing, stated that the 
     prosecution's case and the evidence presented against Mr. 
     Reed were ``so preposterous that they provoked laughter in 
     the courtroom'', the conviction and sentence were 
     ``ridiculous'', and ``justice was not even considered'';
       Whereas, upon appeal to the Moscow City Court, the 
     Golovinsky District Court failed to provide Trevor Reed with 
     translated copies of the court's decision and trial 
     transcripts per law; and
       Whereas the appeal court returned the case to the 
     Golovinsky District Court to review omissions and incorrect 
     statements in the trial transcripts, and the official court 
     audio recordings were reviewed by the defense and the 
     corrections were certified by a third-party notarization 
     firm, with the result being Judge Arnout refusing to include 
     any corrections to the corrupted transcripts: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) calls on the Government of the Russian Federation to 
     immediately release Trevor Reed and all other prisoners 
     arrested for political motivations;
       (2) condemns the practice of politically motivated 
     imprisonment in the Russian Federation, which violates the 
     commitments of the Russian Federation to international 
     obligations with respect to human rights and the rule of law;
       (3) urges the United States Government, in all its 
     interactions with the Government of the Russian Federation, 
     to raise the case of Trevor Reed and to press for his 
     release;
       (4) expresses support for Trevor Reed, Paul Whelan, and all 
     prisoners unjustly imprisoned in the Russian Federation;
       (5) urges the Government of the Russian Federation to 
     provide unrestricted consular access to Trevor Reed while he 
     remains in detention;
       (6) until Trevor Reed's release, calls on the Government of 
     the Russian Federation--
       (A) to provide Trevor Reed any necessary medical treatment 
     and personal protective equipment;
       (B) to notify the United States Ambassador to Russia of any 
     medical problems or complaints that arise during his 
     detention; and
       (C) to provide the United States Embassy in Moscow with 
     full access to all of Trevor Reed's medical records;
       (7) urges the Government of the Russian Federation to 
     respect Trevor Reed's universally recognized human rights; 
     and
       (8) expresses support to the family of Trevor Reed and 
     commitment to bringing Trevor Reed home.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Meeks) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Pfluger) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H. Res. 186.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 186, 
introduced by Mr. Pfluger of Texas, calling for the release of Trevor 
Reed.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bipartisan measure that we 
have now, regrettably, had to move through the committee and the House 
for two Congresses.
  This is a good resolution that calls for the release of Trevor Reed 
and condemns the deplorable treatment inflicted upon him throughout his 
ordeal.
  It is shameful that the Kremlin continues to make a mockery of the 
principles of an independent judiciary, the rule of law, and due 
process, holding innocent American hostages for nefarious political 
purposes. Not even the judge on Trevor Reed's case could keep a 
straight face when presented with the absurd case that the Russian 
prosecutors brought to the table, yet the courts sentenced him to 9 
years in prison anyway.
  On top of the unimaginable suffering Trevor has already endured as a 
result of his terrible conditions and refusal of the Russian 
authorities to attend to his medical needs, Mr. Reed has been now 
diagnosed with COVID-19.

[[Page H3179]]

  Other Americans are also suffering these same injustices inflicted by 
the Russian Government.
  Paul Whelan, first arrested on baseless charges in December 2018, 
remains unjustly imprisoned and is serving a 16-year sentence.
  The imprisonment of American citizens in Russia for political 
purposes, likely in an attempt to force the United States to release 
convicted Russian criminals and Putin cronies in the United States, is 
a despicable practice and an affront to human rights and the rule of 
law everywhere.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful that President Biden, in his meeting with 
Vladimir Putin in Geneva, specifically demanded the release of Trevor 
Reed and Paul Whelan; and I am pleased that we, in Congress, are 
continuing to do the same with the consideration of this resolution.
  The Kremlin must release Trevor Reed, Paul Whelan, and all others 
wrongfully detained in Russia so that they may finally return to their 
families. This is an important bill resolution. I support it, and I 
urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I thank the chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, 682 days ago, my constituent, Trevor Reed of Granbury, 
Texas, was thrown into jail by the Russian Government for a crime he 
did not commit before being convicted in Russian kangaroo court. He is 
an Eagle Scout, a U.S. marine, and, more importantly, a beloved son and 
brother, who stands to endure a decade of his life in a Russian prison 
if we are unable to bring him home.
  Trevor was initially detained for public intoxication, but when the 
Russian Federal Security Service discovered that he was a U.S. marine, 
they upped the charges and accused him of endangering the lives of 
police officers. The accusation and the lack of evidence to support it 
was so ridiculous that even a Russian judge erupted in laughter during 
his trial.
  U.S. Ambassador John Sullivan said justice was not even considered in 
this case, and described Trevor's trial as a theater of the absurd.
  His trial was a sham, and his treatment in the custody of Russian 
authorities has been nothing short of appalling. He has been denied 
medical care, counselor access, and has been repeatedly moved without 
prior or proper notification. Even when he was infected with COVID, the 
Russians cut off communication with our embassy and with his family. 
Vladimir Putin himself recently smeared Trevor Reed's name, further 
underscoring the reality that Trevor's detainment is, in fact, 
politically motivated.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member   Michael McCaul for partnering 
with me to introduce this resolution, and for the support of Chairman 
Meeks, and for our commitment together in a bipartisan way to stand up 
for Trevor and the entire Reed family and others who are unlawfully 
detained.
  Mr. Speaker, the passage of this resolution could not be more timely 
than it is today. In fact, just today, a corrupt Russian appeals court 
rejected Trevor's final appeal certifying the absurd 9-year sentence.
  Our message is simple: The United States will not tolerate an 
American citizen being held by the Putin regime as a political pawn.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join together and stand 
firm with Trevor and his family, to reunite Trevor and his family, and 
to bring him home. Free Trevor Reed.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Hill), a great patriot.
  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from west Texas for 
this important bill.
  Mr. Speaker, recently, I created the Congressional Task Force on 
American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad with my 
colleague, our good friend, Ted Deutch from Florida. I thank 
Representative Pfluger for being one of the first Members to join that 
task force.
  Mr. Speaker, that is why I come and rise in support of my friend, 
Representative Pfluger's resolution. This resolution calls for the 
release of Trevor Reed of Texas; and expresses support for Paul Whelan 
of Michigan, another American unjustly imprisoned in Russia.

  From this debate, we have heard and learned some of the details of 
Trevor's arrest, sham trial, and absurd sentencing for his alleged 
crimes. All channels of the United States Government must engage with 
friends and enemies alike to ensure that Americans in situations like 
Trevor and Paul are brought home expeditiously.
  This is especially the case for Members of Congress who represent the 
concerned families of those held hostage or wrongfully detained. Here 
in Congress, we must continue to collaborate with the administration in 
situations like these to disincentivize wrongful detention and taking 
hostage of Americans in the future.
  Let this be a message to Trevor and Paul and their families: We are 
committed to bringing you back to the United States safely.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the full committee for his 
support of this effort and work. I also thank my friend from west 
Texas. I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the chairman and Ranking Member McCaul.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States must send a strong message to Vladimir 
Putin that we will not tolerate a U.S. citizen and a marine veteran 
being held as a political pawn.
  I, again, want to recognize those here in the Chamber who have 
supported this. Ranking Member   Michael McCaul from Texas, Mr. Hill 
from Arkansas, and others for partnering with me on the resolution, 
that we will not stand for any unlawful detention of any American.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the American families of those wrongfully detained by 
Russia are waiting for decisive action. Congress needs to stand united 
in support of Trevor Reed, Paul Whelan, and all those who have had to 
suffer terrible conditions and treatment by the Kremlin.
  This resolution introduced by Mr. Pfluger makes clear our resolute 
condemnation of their imprisonment, demanding the release of the 
American prisoners who are being used as pawns in the Kremlin's 
political game. It is past time for Russia to release these political 
prisoners and return them to their families.
  Again, I thank Mr. Pfluger for introducing this legislation, and I 
thank Ranking Member McCaul for working with us. I urge my colleagues 
to vote in support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 186.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mrs. GREENE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

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