Press Releases

House Foreign Affairs Committee and Helsinki Commission member Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) released the following statement after the arrest of U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich by Russia.

“Russia’s arrest of an American journalist on trumped up charges is an affront to democracy and an affront to our nation,” said Rep. Lawler. “As the sole freshman appointed to serve on the Helsinki Commission, I am in full agreement with the joint statement made by the Commission's Chairs and Ranking members in condemning this injustice.”

“Russia continues to alienate itself from the global community with its aggression against Ukraine, against the freedoms of its own people, and against our own citizens,” added Rep. Lawler. “First, China gathered intel on American military installations with its illegal spy balloon operation and now Russia is arresting American journalists. We cannot let these assaults on our sovereignty continue. We must be firm and respond from a position of strength, which is the only way to respond to tyrants.”

The arrest of Gershkovich is the first time an American journalist has been detained and accused of spying by Russia since the Cold War, a far cry from the days when the Obama-Biden Administration spoke of a “reset” on relations with Russia and the continued escalation of tensions between the two countries.

Representative Mike Lawler serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Financial Services. He was the sole freshman appointed to serve on the Helsinki Commission and is Co-Chair of the Moldova Caucus. New York’s 17th District, which includes all or parts of Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties, is a suburban district located just north of New York City.