The House of Representatives yesterday passed H.Res. 1132, Rep. Greg Stanton’s bipartisan resolution calling on the Russian government to immediately release Brittney Griner and expressing support for efforts made by the U.S. government to secure her release.
“Not a day goes by that we aren’t thinking of Brittney and working to get her home,” said Stanton. “We will continue to push for her release and make sure that she is not forgotten.”
“I’m grateful for this overwhelming show of support from Congress. We need to be doing all we can to keep Brittney’s case on the forefront and finally put an end to this nightmare,” said Cherelle Griner, Brittney’s wife.
“This resolution sends a clear message: securing Brittney's release must be the highest priority of the U.S. Government, and we know the American people support every effort made to bring her home,” said Terri Carmichael Jackson, executive director of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association.
Stanton introduced the resolution last month with Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Colin Allred of Texas. Griner, a star for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, grew up in Houston, Texas and graduated from Baylor University.
Stanton spoke on the House floor ahead of final passage. [LINK]
Griner was detained in a Moscow airport in February. She has played for the Russian women’s professional basketball team, UMMC Ekaterinburg, for the past seven years during the WNBA off-season. Griner’s detention has been extended until June 2.
The U.S. Department of State considers Griner to be wrongfully detained by the Russian Federation, which means the department, led by the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, will seek to negotiate her release.
Stanton and his House colleagues are continuing to work with the White House, the State Department, and Griner’s family to secure her safe return.