Bill Introduced by Rep. Cleaver to Support Religious Liberty in Ukraine Passes House of Representatives

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 496, the Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act, which was introduced by U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Joe Wilson (R-SC). The legislation would hold Russia accountable for violations of religious liberty during its illegal occupation of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine since 2014, as well as during its current invasion.

"No matter where you live or what religious tradition you practice, America will always stand up to defend religious liberty," said Congressman Cleaver. "As Dictator Putin continues his vile campaign to subdue a free and sovereign nation, it is imperative that the United States do everything possible to hold him and Russia accountable for their repression of religious freedom, past and present. I'm thankful to Representative Wilson for his partnership in introducing this critical piece of legislation to support religious minorities in Ukraine, my colleagues in the House of Representatives for passing it with bipartisan support, and call on my colleagues in the Senate to immediately send it to President Biden's desk for signature."

"For over 8 years, Putin's illegal occupying forces in sovereign Ukraine have oppressed religious minorities and subjected them to kidnappings, torture, forced psychiatric examinations, and imprisonment. The United States must continue its long-standing tradition of standing against religious persecution around the globe and hold Putin accountable for his crimes against humanity. I was grateful to work with friend and colleague, Emanuel Cleaver, to pass this bipartisan legislation," said Rep. Wilson.

Since 2014, and before Vladimir Putin's all-out invasion of Ukraine in February, Russia has illegally occupied Crimea and parts of Eastern Ukraine, causing the deaths of thousands of civilians and military personnel. During that time, multiplereports have surfaced of Russia's persecution of Christians, Muslims, and other religious minorities. As Russia continues to fight and hold territory in Eastern Ukraine, additional reports of atrocities have arisen.

To hold Russia accountable for their egregious repression of religious freedom, the Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act will require the U.S. State Department to take Russian violations of religious liberty in Ukrainian territory into consideration during its annual review of religious freedom in Russia, required by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. Should the Department determine that Russia is a country of particular concern for religious freedom, the President may take additional actions to hold the Russian Federation accountable.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.