House passes resolution disapproving of Russia being included in future G7 summits

The House on Tuesday passed a resolution disapproving of Russia being included in future Group of Seven (G-7) summits in a 339-71 vote on Tuesday.

The resolution was introduced by Rep. Albio Sires (D-N.J.) in August after President Trump said in August he believed Russia should be readmitted into the G-7. Russia was expelled from the G-8 in 2014 due to its occupation of territory in Ukraine.

The resolution includes language reiterating the United States’ support for Ukraine while denouncing the country’s occupation of Crimea and destabilization in the region.

The measure also condemns the “Kremlin’s assaults on democratic societies worldwide, including in the United States and other Group of Seven countries,” and calls of the leaders of the G-7 to oppose Russia rejoining the group unless it ends its occupation of “ Ukraine’s sovereign territory, including Crimea” and attacks on democracies around the world.

“Time and time again, Russia has shown it has no respect for the territorial or democratic integrity of other nations,” Sires said in a statement after it passed out of committee. “ … Russia has not met any of the conditions but has become more aggressive in Ukraine and has undermined democracy in numerous other countries, including the United States.

House Committee on Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Mike McCaul (R-Texas) praised Sires’ work on the measure.

“As stated in this resolution, Russia should be not be readmitted to the Group of Seven until Putin respects the principles shared by the other members, relinquishes his chokehold over Crimea, and ceases his global attacks on democratic institutions. Maintaining the integrity of the Group of Seven is vital to the Group’s success, and Russia cannot be allowed to bully its way back in,” he said on the floor ahead of the vote.

“So I would like to thank Representative Sires for his hard work on this resolution and my good friend Representative Smith for championing this resolution today.”

The resolution passed out of committee unanimously earlier this year.