Central Louisiana News

WASHINGTON – In a bipartisan effort, U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Jim Risch (R-ID), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and 24 colleagues have introduced a resolution demanding the immediate release of Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist who has been wrongfully detained in Russia since March 2023.

The resolution, which can be read in full here, strongly condemns the Russian government's ongoing practice of detaining and prosecuting U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents for political purposes. The Senate calls on the Government of the Russian Federation to release Gershkovich without delay.

"The Senate calls on the Government of the Russian Federation to immediately release Evan Gershkovich, who has been wrongfully detained since March 2023," emphasizes the resolution.

The resolution also expresses solidarity with the families of Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and all other American citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been unlawfully detained abroad. It acknowledges the personal hardship experienced by these families due to the arbitrary and baseless arrest and detention of their loved ones.

Senators Cassidy, Risch, and Cardin were joined by a bipartisan group of senators in cosponsoring the resolution. The list of cosponsors includes Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Rick Scott (R-FL), Bob Casey (D-PA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Mark Warner (D-VA), John Hoeven (R-ND), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Tim Scott (R-SC), Todd Young (R-IN), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and James Lankford (R-OK).

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