House passes Walberg-backed resolution calling for Whelan’s release

From: The Monroe News

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.Res. 336, a bipartisan resolution calling on the Russian government to release Michigan native Paul Whelan.

Congressman Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, is an original co-sponsor of the resolution, and has worked with Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11) to advocate for Whelan’s release since he was detained in December 2018. 

“As Vladimir Putin wages a barbaric war in Ukraine, we cannot forget the American citizens like Paul Whelan who have been languishing as political prisoners in Russia for years,” Walberg said in a statement. “After enduring such hardship, Paul’s health is deteriorating and he’s unable to receive reliable treatment. This is a grave injustice. We have continued to press Paul’s case at the highest levels, and I am pleased that our resolution calling for his immediate release has once again passed the House with strong bipartisan support.” 

“Today, we stood together as a Congress to denounce Paul’s wrongful imprisonment by Vladimir Putin and his Kremlin regime,” Stevens added. “In the nearly four years since Paul’s detention, we have seen Vladimir Putin further isolate himself on the world stage as his government has dissolved into one of lawlessness, leading through threats and violence. We must stand up and make it clear that American citizens will not be used as political pawns by Putin. I would like to thank Representative Meeks and Representative McCaul for their attention to this issue and diligent work in the Foreign Affairs Committee to advance this resolution on a bipartisan basis. Paul was detained just a few days before I was sworn in as a Member of the United States Congress, on December 28, 2018. This is deeply personal for me and should be for all Americans.”