Expressing the sense of the United States House of Representatives that the trial by the Government of the Russian Federation of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev constitutes a politically-motivated case of selective arrest and prosecution that serves as a test of the rule of law and independence of Russia's judicial system.

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

H.Res.588 through Congress

H.Res.588 is considered only in the House.

HouseJun 26, 2009IntroducedOfficial record

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Separate related Senate measures (1)

These are different measures identified as related by Congress.gov. Their text and outcomes may differ; they are not the Senate stage of H.Res.588.

Related Senate measure: S.Res.189 A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the trial by the Russian Government of businessmen Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev constitutes a politically-motivated case of selective arrest and prosecution that serves as a test of the rule of law and independence of the judicial system of Russia.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 26, 2009

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev are prisoners who have been denied basic due process rights under international law for political reasons and that new criminal charges brought against them should be withdrawn; and (2) the Russian Federation is encouraged to take these actions to support democratic principles and human rights in furtherance of a more positive U.S.-Russian relationship.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-3] · D–MA

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Jun 26, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Jun 26, 2009
Introduced in House
Jun 26, 2009
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jun 26, 2009 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

SRES 189 · A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the trial by the Russian Government of businessmen Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev constitutes a politically-motivated case of selective arrest and prosecution that serves as a test of the rule of law and independence of the judicial system of Russia.

Source last updated: Dec 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.588 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.588, 111th Congress: Expressing the sense of the United States House of Representatives that the trial by the Government of the Russian Federation of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev constitutes a politically-motivated case of selective arrest and prosecution that serves as a test of the rule of law and independence of Russia's judicial system.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-resolution/588

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-06-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hres588/BILLS-111hres588ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-12T20:01:21Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.Res.588 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Res.588 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.588, 111th Congress: Expressing the sense of the United States House of Representatives that the trial by the Government of the Russian Federation of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev constitutes a politically-motivated case of selective arrest and prosecution that serves as a test of the rule of law and independence of Russia's judicial system.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-resolution/588

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-06-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hres588/BILLS-111hres588ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-12T20:01:21Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.588 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Res.588 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.588, 111th Congress: Expressing the sense of the United States House of Representatives that the trial by the Government of the Russian Federation of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev constitutes a politically-motivated case of selective arrest and prosecution that serves as a test of the rule of law and independence of Russia's judicial system.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-resolution/588

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-06-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hres588/BILLS-111hres588ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-12T20:01:21Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.588 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Res.588 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.588, 111th Congress: Expressing the sense of the United States House of Representatives that the trial by the Government of the Russian Federation of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev constitutes a politically-motivated case of selective arrest and prosecution that serves as a test of the rule of law and independence of Russia's judicial system.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-resolution/588

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-06-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hres588/BILLS-111hres588ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-12T20:01:21Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.588 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.