A resolution introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday condemns Russia’s recent chemical weapons attacks in the United Kingdom and calls for the United States to take “additional measures” to ensure that there are consequences for the use of chemical weapons.
U.K. officials have ruled that Russia used a military-grade nerve agent on former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, on March 4. The public attack left the Skripals and a responding police officer hospitalized.
The resolution introduced on Thursday backs U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision to expel 23 Russian diplomats deemed “undeclared intelligence agents” from the country. The resolution adds that the chemical weapons attack is “part of a pattern of action through which Russia has shown a disdain for the sovereignty of other nations and the rules-based international order.”
“This attack is a brazen violation of the sovereignty of the United Kingdom and of the rules-based international order,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement. “The use of a chemical weapon is just the latest example of Russia’s attempts to undermine democratic institutions, and we stand together with our allies in stating unequivocally that this aggression cannot be tolerated.”
The resolution states that the United States and its allies “must unite in confronting this threat.” It continues that the United States would support additional measures, including the expulsion of Russian diplomats, in response to the attacks.
U.S. Reps. Jim Langevin (D-RI), George Holding (R-NC), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Tom Cole (R-OK), Albio Sires (D-NJ), and Joe Wilson (R-SC) sponsored the resolution.