A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the conviction by the Government of Russia of businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev constitutes a politically motivated case of selective arrest and prosecution that flagrantly undermines the rule of law and independence of the judicial system of Russia.

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S914-915)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 17, 2011

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) in cases dealing with perceived threats to authorities the Russian judiciary is frequently used as an instrument of the Kremlin; (2) Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev are political prisoners who have been denied due process rights under international law; (3) in light of the record of selective prosecution, politicization, and abuse of process involved in their cases, the 2010 conviction against Mr. Khodorkovsky and Mr. Lebedev should be overturned; and (4) the government of Russia is encouraged to take these actions to further a more positive relationship between the governments and people of the United States and Russia.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS] · R–MS

Committees

Foreign Relations Committee

4 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Feb 17, 2011
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S914-915)
Feb 17, 2011
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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

Introduced in Senate · Feb 17, 2011 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.65 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.

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Discuss S.Res.65, 112th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the conviction by the Government of Russia of businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev constitutes a politically motivated case of selective arrest and prosecution that flagrantly undermines the rule of law and independence of the judicial system of Russia.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-resolution/65

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2011-02-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/sres65/BILLS-112sres65is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:02:53Z. 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 S.Res.65 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 S.Res.65 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 S.Res.65, 112th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the conviction by the Government of Russia of businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev constitutes a politically motivated case of selective arrest and prosecution that flagrantly undermines the rule of law and independence of the judicial system of Russia.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-resolution/65

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2011-02-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/sres65/BILLS-112sres65is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:02:53Z. 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 S.Res.65 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 S.Res.65 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 S.Res.65, 112th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the conviction by the Government of Russia of businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev constitutes a politically motivated case of selective arrest and prosecution that flagrantly undermines the rule of law and independence of the judicial system of Russia.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-resolution/65

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2011-02-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/sres65/BILLS-112sres65is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:02:53Z. 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 S.Res.65 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 S.Res.65 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 S.Res.65, 112th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the conviction by the Government of Russia of businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev constitutes a politically motivated case of selective arrest and prosecution that flagrantly undermines the rule of law and independence of the judicial system of Russia.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-resolution/65

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2011-02-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/sres65/BILLS-112sres65is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:02:53Z. 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 S.Res.65 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.