Title: Calling for the immediate release of Brittney Griner, a citizen of the United States, who was wrongfully detained by the Government of the Russian Federation in February 2022.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution calls on the Russian government to immediately release Brittney Griner.
The resolution urges the United States, in all interactions with the Russian government, to raise the case of Brittney Griner and to press for her release.
The resolution further urges the Russian government to provide consular access to Brittney Griner while she remains in detention and to respect her human rights.
Finally, the resolution expresses support to the family of Brittney Griner and a commitment to bringing her home.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1132 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1132

Calling for the immediate release of Brittney Griner, a citizen of the 
  United States, who was wrongfully detained by the Government of the 
                  Russian Federation in February 2022.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 18, 2022

 Mr. Stanton (for himself, Ms. Jackson Lee, and Mr. Allred) submitted 
   the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                            Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Calling for the immediate release of Brittney Griner, a citizen of the 
  United States, who was wrongfully detained by the Government of the 
                  Russian Federation in February 2022.

Whereas United States citizen Brittney Griner is a Women's National Basketball 
        Association (WNBA) player;
Whereas Brittney Griner and her wife, Cherelle, are residents of Phoenix, 
        Arizona, and are well-respected leaders in the community;
Whereas Brittney Griner was raised in Houston, Texas, and many of her family 
        members live in Texas;
Whereas after a prolific collegiate career at her alma mater, Baylor University, 
        Brittney Griner was the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA by the 
        Phoenix Mercury and has played her entire WNBA career with the team;
Whereas during her WNBA career, Brittney Griner has been named the WNBA 
        Defensive Player of the Year twice and a WNBA All-Star seven times;
Whereas Brittney Griner has represented the United States on the women's 
        basketball team twice and earned two Olympic Gold Medals;
Whereas Brittney Griner is also an international figure and has played for the 
        Russian women's professional basketball team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, for the 
        past seven years during the WNBA off-season;
Whereas Brittney Griner is a renowned leader in the LGBTQ+ community;
Whereas Brittney Griner has made a difference in the lives of many Arizonans, 
        including through her annual ``BG's Heart and Sole Shoe Drive'' to 
        provide shoes to those experiencing homelessness in the Phoenix 
        community;
Whereas Brittney Griner's efforts have provided shoes to nearly 2,000 Phoenix-
        area residents in need;
Whereas the Phoenix Mercury and the Phoenix Rescue Mission are continuing this 
        important effort in Brittney Griner's absence;
Whereas Brittney Griner was presumably detained by Russian authorities at 
        Sheremetyevo Alexander S. Pushkin International Airport in Khimki, 
        Russia, on February 17, 2022, accused of carrying vape cartridges with 
        hashish oil;
Whereas Russian authorities opened a criminal case against Brittney Griner 
        regarding the alleged transportation of drugs, which can carry a 
        sentence of up to 10 years;
Whereas, on March 17, 2022, a Russian court denied a request for bail and for 
        house arrest, and has since extended Brittney Griner's detention until 
        June 18, 2022; and
Whereas the Department of State has determined that Brittney Griner is 
        ``wrongfully detained'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) calls on the Government of the Russian Federation to 
        immediately release Brittney Griner;
            (2) urges the United States, in all interactions with the 
        Government of the Russian Federation, to raise the case of 
        Brittney Griner and to press for her release;
            (3) expresses continued support for Paul Whelan and all 
        prisoners unjustly imprisoned in the Russian Federation;
            (4) urges the Government of the Russian Federation to 
        provide consular access to Brittney Griner while she remains in 
        detention;
            (5) urges the Government of the Russian Federation to 
        respect the human rights of Brittney Griner; and
            (6) expresses support to the family of Brittney Griner and 
        a commitment to bringing her home.
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