US Senators Lindsey Graham (Republican Party) and Richard Blumenthal (Democratic Party) on August 7, 2022, called on the administration of President Joe Biden to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
Source: US senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal
The senators emphasized on CNN that they would push Congress to pass this decision “whether President Joe Biden supports it or not”.
They noted that recognition of Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism should be done either by the President or by Congress. Both senators said Biden should increase pressure on Russian leader Vladimir Putin and continue to help Ukraine amid the ongoing invasion.
“I hope the President will decide to adopt this stance voluntarily and he hasn’t taken it off the table on the state-sponsored terrorism,” said Blumenthal, who represents Connecticut.
Lindsey Graham called on the Biden administration to work with Congress on designating Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, but noted that Congress would advance the decision regardless.
“I’d like to work with (the Biden administration). But whether or not we have to do legislation to make it happen – we’re willing to do. I am urging the administration to act now,” Graham said.
