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Democratic representatives, joined by a Republican colleague, have called for an explanation from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent following the recent visit of sanctioned Russian lawmakers to the United States. The visit, organized by Representative Anna Paulina Luna from Florida, included a tour of the U.S. Capitol, sparking controversy and concern.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Representatives Dina Titus from Nevada, Brian Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania, Marcy Kaptur from Ohio, Mike Quigley from Illinois, Jim Costa from California, and Chellie Pingree from Maine, expressed their worries in a formal letter. They described the visit, which involved meetings with certain members of Congress and other officials, as “deeply concerning.”
The letter highlighted that these Russian legislators are under U.S. sanctions due to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, their entry into the U.S. would have necessitated special sanctions waivers, raising questions about the decision-making process behind their visit.
The members of Congress expressed that the presence of the State Duma members in Washington could potentially undermine U.S. efforts to support Ukraine and its European allies amidst ongoing conflict with Russia. They argued that such a visit risks legitimizing Russian officials who have played roles in dismantling international norms and runs counter to the fundamental goals of the sanctions policy.
The representatives are seeking detailed information on who authorized the sanctions waivers, the issuing of visas, and which office or agency initiated the waivers. They also questioned the national security or foreign policy objectives that might have been pursued through these meetings.
“At a minimum, the American people and Congress deserve full accounting of how and why this decision was made,” the letter continues. “The credibility of U.S. sanctions policy –– and our broader commitment to holding aggressors accountable –– depends on consistent and principled application.”
The Hill has reached out to the State and Treasury departments for comment.
Luna, who gave the lawmakers a tour of the Capitol on Thursday, has sought to position herself as a facilitator between the U.S. and Russia while pursuing peace in Ukraine.
“We are pushing for an ending to the war in Ukraine,” Luna previously told The Hill. “We want to make sure that there’s support from Congress in those peace talks as well as the president’s perspective on everything.”
The Russian delegation was led by Vyacheslav Alekseyevich Nikonov, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Duma. Other members of the delegation included Boris Aleksandrovich Chernyshov of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, deputy chair of the State Duma; Mikhail Gennadyevich Delyagin, member of the party A Just Russia — For Truth; Vladimir Pavlovich Isakov, member of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation; and Svetlana Sergeyevna Zhurova, a member of the party United Russia.
All are subject to sanctions from the European Union, while others hold additional sanctions from the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and others.
Some of Luna’s GOP colleagues objected to the visit, including Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee with Luna. He called Russia “an adversary” and said he would “have questions about what the objectives are” having them visit the U.S.
Reps. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), was one of four other U.S. members of Congress who met with the Russian delegation, including one Democrat, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (Texas).
Van Orden told The Hill that the “journey of a thousand miles is starting with a single step.”
“They’re just people, I mean they’re diplomats, one guy I guarantee he used to be a KGB agent — that’s a very good, educated guess,” he said. “But pleasant enough.”