Peters, Stabenow, Stevens, Walberg, Reintroduce Resolution Calling for Immediate Release of Michigander Paul Whelan

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI), along with Representatives Haley Stevens (MI-11) and Tim Walberg (MI-5), reintroduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution calling for the immediate release of Michigander Paul Whelan from authorities under the Russian government. The reintroduction of the resolution comes as members of Michigan’s Congressional Delegation received a classified briefing, convened by Peters today, with officials from the Department of State to receive an update on Whelan’s wrongful detention. A bipartisan group of Michigan’s Congressional Delegation support the resolution, including Representatives Jack Bergman (MI-1), John Moolenaar (MI-2), Hillary Scholten (MI-3), Bill Huizenga (MI-4), Debbie Dingell (MI-6), Elissa Slotkin (MI-7), Dan Kildee (MI-8), Lisa McClain (MI-9), John James (MI-10), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Shri Thanedar (MI-13).

“It’s outrageous that Russian authorities continue to keep Michigander Paul Whelan unjustly imprisoned,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan, bicameral resolution shows Michiganders’ unified commitment to continue pressing for Paul’s release, and it was critical we received an update for the State Department today. I will continue working with Paul’s family, my colleagues and the Biden Administration to ensure Paul returns home to Michigan and this nightmare comes to an end.”

“Paul Whelan needs to come home. Paul has spent too many years languishing in a Russian prison without any credible evidence presented against him. I will continue to work with the Biden Administration, my colleagues, and Paul’s family to end his unjust imprisonment and bring him home,” said Senator Stabenow. 

“In the nearly five years since Paul’s unlawful detention by Russia, we have seen Vladimir Putin further isolate himself on the world stage as his government has dissolved into one of lawlessness, leading through threats and violence,” said Congresswoman Stevens. “We must stand up and make it clear that American citizens will not be used as political pawns by Putin. Paul was detained just a few days before I was sworn in as a Member of the United States Congress, on December 28th, 2018. This is deeply personal for me and should be for all Americans. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan, bicameral resolution with my fellow Michiganders. We will never tire in our efforts to bring Paul home to Michigan.”

“In the four years since his unjust detainment, our commitment to bringing Paul home has only strengthened,” said Rep. Walberg. “While I never imagined we’d need to introduce this resolution for a third time, just like the Whelan family, our resolve is unbroken. My colleagues and I will not allow Paul to be forgotten, and we will not give up this fight until he is back home.”

“Paul Whelan has been wrongly separated from his family and unjustly imprisoned in Russia for more than four years,” Congresswoman Dingell. “We are also deeply concerned about the arrest of a Wall Street Journal reporter in Moscow, but our efforts to release Whelan must not be complicated or delayed due to these latest actions by the Russians. With this resolution, and the briefing from the State Department this morning, we reaffirm our commitment to Paul and his loved ones that we remain tireless in our work, alongside the Biden Administration, to end this nightmare and bring him home.”

“The Whelan family is deeply appreciative of the support shown for Paul Whelan by Senators Peters and Stabenow and Representative Stevens from the time of Paul's arrest on false charges and subsequent wrongful detention in 2018,” said Elizabeth Whelan, sister of Paul Whelan. “No American should have to endure the horrors Paul has faced since then. We are grateful for this opportunity taken by Congress to demand of Russia the release of our brother and son, and Michigander, Paul Whelan.”

Peters, Stabenow and Stevens have been continuously pressing for Whelan’s release since he was detained in Russian more than four years ago and will continue to work with his family and the U.S. Department of State to secure his safe return to Michigan.

The Senate resolution can be found by clicking here. The House resolution can be found by clicking here.

###