Should the Senate Oppose Letting Putin’s Gov’t Question Certain U.S. Diplomats & Military Personnel? (S. Res. 584)

What is S. Res. 584?

(Updated February 1, 2021)

This resolution would express the sense of the Senate against allowing current and former diplomats, officials, and members of the U.S. Armed Forces to be questioned by the Russian government led by Vladimir Putin.

As a simple resolution, this legislation is non-binding and wouldn’t advance beyond the Senate if adopted.

Argument in favor

It’s a simple gesture, but the Senate should make it clear that it will not tolerate an arrangement that allows current and former U.S. officials or military personnel to be questioned by the Russian government led by autocrat Vladimir Putin.

Argument opposed

The Senate has more important things to do than expressing its opposition to a half-baked idea Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin threw out during a press conference that’s never going to happen.

Impact

Russia’s government; current and former diplomats, officials, and members of the U.S. Armed Forces who’d be questioned by Russia’s government; and the Senate.

Cost of S. Res. 584

As a non-binding resolution, this bill has no cost.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced this resolution to express opposition to a suggestion by Russian President Vladimir Putin floated during a press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump in Helsinki, Finland. Putin said he’d allow U.S. law enforcement to question the 12 Russians indicted for activities linked to election meddling in exchange for letting Russia question certain Americans, which Schumer said Congress should prevent:

“Certainly if the president agreed to such a request, Congress must do everything in its power to block it. There can be no room for debate, no room for discussion. We must be clear and clear quickly.”

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said the Trump administration opposes Putin’s idea:

“It is a proposal that was made in sincerity by President Putin, but President Trump disagrees with it. Hopefully President Putin will have the 12 identified Russians come to the United States to prove their innocence or guilt.”

Media:

• Countable
• Fox News
  
• The Hill