[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 98 (Tuesday, June 11, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H3699-H3701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1645
     CONDEMNING RUSSIA'S UNJUST AND ARBITRARY DETENTION OF RUSSIAN 
                 OPPOSITION LEADER VLADIMIR KARA-MURZA

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 27) condemning Russia's unjust and 
arbitrary detention of Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza 
who has stood up in defense of democracy, the rule of law, and free and 
fair elections in Russia, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 27

       Whereas, on April 11, 2022, Vladimir Kara-Murza was 
     unjustly detained by Russian authorities for spreading 
     supposedly ``false information'' in a speech in March 2022 to 
     the Arizona House of Representatives;
       Whereas Mr. Kara-Murza in his March 15, 2022, speech 
     presented a defiant condemnation of Vladimir Putin's policies 
     and leadership outlining his corruption and malign 
     intentions, and condemning the illegal war of aggression 
     Putin has unleashed against Ukraine;
       Whereas, prior to his arrest in April 2022, Mr. Kara-Murza 
     was poisoned twice by agents of the Russian Government and 
     the Russian Federation in 2015 and 2017 with a military-grade 
     agent banned internationally, likely in retaliation for his 
     defiant stance in support of rule of law and democracy in 
     Russia;
       Whereas, despite having survived two assassination attempts 
     and the subsequent side effects of these poisonings, Mr. 
     Kara-Murza regularly returned to Russia to advocate for 
     democratic representation in Russia;
       Whereas Mr. Kara-Murza has consistently advocated for 
     democracy in Russia and insisted that democracy in Russia 
     must be advanced by Russians for all those living in Russia;
       Whereas, in August 2022, new charges were brought against 
     Mr. Kara-Murza for ``carrying out the activities'' of an 
     ``undesirable foreign organization'' and his arrest was 
     extended for his work as a leading member of Russian civil 
     society;
       Whereas, in October 2022, Mr. Kara-Murza was further 
     charged unjustly with ``high treason'' in part due to his 
     public condemnations of the Kremlin's military aggression on 
     Ukraine and domestic repressions;
       Whereas, in April 2023, Mr. Kara-Murza was unjustly 
     sentenced to 25 years in prison;
       Whereas the state of Mr. Kara-Murza's health has 
     deteriorated and in addition to losing over 45 pounds, he was 
     diagnosed with polyneuropathy, a condition that under Russian 
     law should have precluded him from detainment;
       Whereas, as a result of his diagnosis, he has lost feeling 
     in both his feet and has experienced symptoms similar to 
     those he experienced following his 2015 poisoning due to 
     peripheral nerve damage;
       Whereas section 5599F of the James M. Inhofe National 
     Defense Authorization Act

[[Page H3700]]

     for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263) condemned Mr. Kara-
     Murza's unjust detention, expressed solidarity with Mr. Kara-
     Murza, his family, and all individuals imprisoned in Russia 
     for their beliefs, and urged the United States and other ally 
     governments to work to secure the release of Mr. Kara-Murza 
     and other citizens of the Russian Federation imprisoned for 
     opposition to Vladimir Putin's regime and his illegal war in 
     Ukraine;
       Whereas, in April 2022, Vladimir Kara-Murza was presented 
     the McCain Institute's Courage and Leadership Award for his 
     unwavering commitment to fundamental values and his acts of 
     selfless courage which have inspired the world;
       Whereas, in October 2022, Mr. Kara-Murza was awarded the 
     Vaclav Havel Prize honoring outstanding civil society action 
     in defense of human rights;
       Whereas the late Senator John McCain said Mr. Kara-Murza 
     ``is a brave, outspoken, and relentless advocate for freedom 
     and democracy in Russia'' and introduced Mr. Kara-Murza as 
     ``a personal hero whose courage, selflessness, and idealism I 
     find awe-inspiring'';
       Whereas, in March 2023, the Department of the Treasury and 
     the Department of State imposed Global Magnitsky and other 
     targeted sanctions on six Russians involved in Mr. Kara-
     Murza's ongoing arbitrary detention, recognized his role as 
     ``a major advocate for the adoption of Magnitsky-style 
     sanctions authorities by the United States, Canada, European 
     Union, and United Kingdom to target human rights abusers and 
     corrupt actors in Russia'', and called for his immediate 
     release; and
       Whereas Mr. Kara-Murza remains a political prisoner and a 
     victim of Vladimir Putin's authoritarian state: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the unjust and 
     arbitrary detention of Russian democratic opposition leader 
     Vladimir Kara-Murza;
       (2) calls on the Russian Federation to immediately release 
     Mr. Kara-Murza and all other Russian opposition leaders who 
     are detained as a result of their opposition to the Putin 
     regime;
       (3) calls on all Russian citizens to outright condemn 
     Russia's illegal and unjust invasion of Ukraine in the spirit 
     of Mr. Kara-Murza's defiant opposition stance in front of the 
     Arizona House of Representatives in March 2022;
       (4) expresses solidarity and calls for the release of all 
     political prisoners in Russia and Belarus, including 
     Ukrainian citizens illegally held as prisoners by Putin's 
     regime in violation of the rule of law as a result of their 
     support for liberal democratic values, Radio Free Europe/
     Radio Liberty journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, and wrongfully-
     detained Americans Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich;
       (5) calls on the United States Government to designate Mr. 
     Kara-Murza, as well as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 
     journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, as wrongfully detained under the 
     Levinson Act; and
       (6) calls on the President of the United States and leaders 
     from across the free world to work tirelessly for the release 
     of political prisoners in Russia and increase support for 
     those advocating for democracy in Russia as well as 
     independent media and civil society which Mr. Kara-Murza has 
     worked to further.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. McCaul) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Vladimir Kara-Murza has been locked away in Putin's 
gulags for over 2 years. His only crime was standing up for human 
rights and democracy in Russia, for speaking out against Putin's 
genocidal war of aggression against Ukraine.
  He is a lawful American permanent resident, and his wife and children 
are American citizens.
  We should all be deeply concerned by his unjust imprisonment.
  Mr. Kara-Murza is well known for his work exposing the Kremlin's 
corruption and fighting for a free and democratic Russia.
  Despite two assassination attempts which nearly killed him and left 
him with permanent side effects that linger to this day, Mr. Kara-Murza 
has continued his brave work undeterred.
  He understands the importance of exposing Putin and his cronies for 
who they really are to the world.
  After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Mr. Kara-Murza 
immediately began shining a light on Russia's atrocities.
  Like many of us in this Chamber, he knew he could not be silent as 
Russian forces raped and murdered their way through Ukraine.
  In response, the Kremlin alleged that he was spreading false 
information about the Russian military.
  In April 2022, Mr. Kara-Murza briefly and bravely returned to Russia 
to advocate against the war to his fellow Russians and was promptly 
arrested.
  That is what happens when you contradict the regime's narrative in a 
totalitarian state. Mr. Kara-Murza knew the risk, but he returned 
anyway.
  Since his arrest, he has languished in harsh prison conditions 
without adequate access to medical care.
  Last year, the Kremlin sentenced him to 25 years in prison. Due to 
his lingering side effects from two assassination attempts, as well as 
the awful conditions in Putin's gulags, this is effectively a death 
sentence.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Kara-Murza is just one of many political prisoners 
in Russia.
  American journalists like Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva and 
wrongfully imprisoned Marine Corps veteran Paul Whelan have all been 
detained by Putin's regime on bogus charges. They deserve our 
attention, and I call for their immediate release in addition to Mr. 
Kara-Murza's.
  America must hold Russia to account for their continued aggression 
and war crimes against humanity. We need to do everything in our power 
to secure Mr. Kara-Murza's release as well as the release of every 
unjustly detained American overseas.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in strong support of my resolution condemning Russia's 
unjust and arbitrary detention of Russian opposition leader, Vladimir 
Kara-Murza, who has stood up in the defense of democracy, the rule of 
law, and free and fair elections in Russia. This resolution comes at a 
significant time, as Vladimir Putin continues his unjust war of 
aggression against Ukraine and reprehensible crackdown on the Russian 
democratic opposition both at home and abroad.
  First, I would like to thank my colleagues who have cosponsored this 
resolution and shown support for Vladimir Kara-Murza as he remains 
wrongfully detained in a Russian prison. This includes Representatives 
Tom Kean,   Steve Cohen, and   Joe Wilson.
  I would also like to express my gratitude to the leadership of the 
committee, Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Meeks, and the entire 
Foreign Affairs Committee for their support of this resolution. I know 
the issue of political prisoners is a serious concern to the entire 
committee, and this resolution brings much to bear on the 
demonstrations of bipartisan support for standing in solidarity with 
Vladimir Kara-Murza and the thousands of political prisoners in Russia, 
Belarus, and around the world.
  This resolution strongly condemns the wrongful detention of Vladimir 
Kara-Murza, and it calls for his immediate release. Vladimir is a 
champion of justice who fought tirelessly for democracy in Russia by 
Russians and for Russians. He did this for decades. As we have 
witnessed Vladimir Putin wage his war of aggression in Ukraine and the 
crackdown on free expression at home, in that context, Vladimir Kara-
Murza stands out as a free and independent voice of truth exposing the 
Kremlin's lies and oppression.
  During President Biden's State of the Union Address earlier this 
year, I had the honor of being joined by prodemocracy activist Evgenia 
Kara-Murza, Vladimir's wife, as my guest. Evgenia's resolve and courage 
was clear, and the stories she told me about Vladimir as well as her 
own personal courage only reaffirmed my commitment to advocate for his 
immediate release.
  In a March 2022 speech before the Arizona House of Representatives, 
Vladimir Kara-Murza presented a defiant condemnation of Vladimir 
Putin's malign policies and corrupt leadership. Following this brave 
speech, Vladimir returned to Russia defiantly to continue his work to 
achieve democracy in Russia. He was subsequently arrested and 
wrongfully charged for speaking the truth.

[[Page H3701]]

  Well ahead of his speech before the Arizona House of Representatives, 
the Kremlin targeted Vladimir for his resistance and opposition. In 
fact, in 2015, and again in 2017, he survived two assassination 
attempts where agents of the Russian Government attacked him. They 
attacked him with a military-grade poison.

  Despite the threats against his life and his 2022 detention, Vladimir 
Kara-Murza continues to speak out from prison against the repression he 
and so many other Russians suffer for calling out Vladimir Putin's 
authoritarian actions and his illegal war of aggression against 
Ukraine.
  Unfortunately, Vladimir Kara-Murza is not the only individual 
wrongfully detained in Russia. Paul Whelan, whose sister is a 
constituent and a tireless advocate on his behalf, has sat in a Russian 
prison cell for over 5 years as the Kremlin plays politics with his 
life. Journalist Evan Gershkovich was imprisoned over a year ago simply 
for doing his job. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reporter Alsu 
Kurmasheva continues to make her way through a sham trial today.
  It is simple. Journalism is not a crime, and this resolution stands 
in solidarity with all those wrongfully detained in Russia and Belarus 
for speaking the truth and calls for their immediate release.
  At the same time, remember those like Alexei Navalny, Boris Nemtsov, 
Sergei Magnitsky, and many others who have died at the hands of the 
Kremlin and Vladimir Putin's regime.
  Ultimately, this resolution represents a strong, bipartisan show of 
support for Vladimir Kara-Murza and a redoubling of efforts to seek his 
immediate release.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close after the gentleman 
from Massachusetts closes, and I reserve the balance of my time
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  In closing, I again reflect on Vladimir Kara-Murza's work to achieve 
a true democracy in Russia, one made by Russians and built for 
Russians. In the face of death threats and physical attacks on his own 
well-being, Vladimir Kara-Murza remains a prominent figure in Russia's 
democracy movement. He has stood up for the truth, speaking against 
Vladimir Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine and the Kremlin's 
comprehensive crackdown on free expression.
  As I have said before, Vladimir's story is not only one of defiance 
but one of Kremlin weakness. His story, his words, and his vision 
terrify and threaten the Putin regime, and they undermine the 
fictitious Kremlin narrative regarding Putin's invasion of Ukraine. 
That fact shows the true strength of Mr. Kara-Murza's moral conviction.
  Finally, as this resolution makes its way through the House, we call 
on the Russian Government to immediately release Mr. Kara-Murza and all 
other Russian opposition leaders detained because of their opposition 
to the Putin regime.
  At the same time, wrongfully detained Americans like Paul Whelan, 
Evan Gershkovich, and Alsu Kurmasheva must also be released. Journalism 
is not a crime, and we will not rest until all wrongfully detained 
Americans have returned home. We want them to return home as soon as 
possible.
  I thank the Foreign Affairs Committee again for considering this 
resolution and the bipartisan cosponsors who have made the resolution 
possible. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I thank my good friend, Mr. Keating, for authoring this important 
resolution that was unanimously adopted by the Foreign Affairs 
Committee by a vote of 47-0.
  We all know that Vladimir Putin is a dictator. He uses fear to hold 
on to power. Anyone that criticizes or questions him is imprisoned, 
silenced, or killed.
  Putin knows if free speech and dissent spreads, if the truth comes to 
light, that his despotic regime will lose its grip on power and on the 
Russian people.
  We all know he killed Alexei Navalny. Putin saw him as a threat to 
his regime. Like Navalny, Vladimir Kara-Murza represents resistance to 
the Kremlin's unchecked oppression, and that is why Putin has 
imprisoned him, because he is a champion for freedom.
  The vengeance of the Kremlin knows no bounds. Putin must stop using 
Cold War tactics to target innocent people as diplomatic pawns. I call 
upon the immediate release of all Americans detained abroad.
  It is time to get Mr. Kara-Murza out of a Russian gulag and back home 
to his family. I urge my colleagues to stand united and join me in 
condemning Russia's illegal detention.
  This will send a strong message to Mr. Kara-Murza and to all 
wrongfully detained Americans in Russia that Congress will not rest 
until they are returned home to their families.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1700

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H. Con. Res. 27, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________