PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed H. Res. 50 “Calling for the release of Ukrainian fighter pilot Nadiya Savchenko, who was captured by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine and has been held illegally in a Russian prison since July 2014” on September 22.
The resolution, with 36 bipartisan co-sponsors, was introduced by Rep. Sander Levin (D-Mich.) on January 26 in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Co-submitting the resolution were Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.).
The summary of the resolution on Congress.gov states: “[The resolution] condemns the Russian Federation for its illegal imprisonment of Nadiya Savchenko, and calls on the Russian Federation to release her immediately. Calls on the United States, its European allies, and the international community to support efforts to release Nadiya Savchenko and other illegally detained persons. Reiterates that it is U.S. policy to not recognize the de jure or de facto sovereignty of the Russian Federation over any part of Ukraine, its airspace, or its territorial waters. Calls upon the United States to impose targeted sanctions against persons responsible for the kidnapping, arrest, and imprisonment of Nadiya Savchenko and other illegally detained persons. Expresses solidarity with the Ukrainian people.”
A similar resolution was submitted in the U.S. Senate (S. Res. 52) introduced by Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on January 28. Following the committee’s unanimous consent it was submitted to the Senate floor and passed with unanimous consent on February 12. The Senate resolution was co-sponsored by Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).